- FOX CountryPosted 11 mins ago
- FOX in the Fast Lane: Coca-Cola 600 (Charlotte)Posted 41 mins ago
- Boy Scouts Vote To Allow Openly Gay ScoutsPosted 12 hours ago
- IRS Scandal: Lerner Placed On LeavePosted 12 hours ago
- President Obama Defends Drone ProgramPosted 15 hours ago
- Bear Breaks Into CA HomePosted 15 hours ago
- Hurricane Season PredictionsPosted 15 hours ago
- Teen Pregnancies DownPosted 19 hours ago
University Silences Christmas Bells
The clock tower at Southern Illinois University has played Christmas carols for nearly 15 years. But this year, someone complained – and that led university officials to briefly silence the holiday tradition until they could add a more diverse selection of music.
“We got a complaint about not being inclusive in the music,” university chancellor Rita Cheng told Fox News Radio.
She backed off comments she made to a local television station that claimed the music was indeed removed because it was “religious” and “offensive to non-Christians.”
“No one really complained about it being religious,” she told Fox News Radio. “They asked that their religion also be reflected in the music.”
Cheng said they were specifically asked to include Jewish music – and they may also add some Kwanza tunes.
“That is part of the season,” she said. “We have a large number of African-American students at Southern Illinois University and we would want to be as inclusive as we can.”
It’s unclear who complained but Cheng denied the silenced chimes were part of a war on Christmas.
“Students who were on the campus from across the world raised the issue and we’re trying to be as responsive as possible and as inclusive,” she told Fox News Radio. “Christmas is a wonderful time of year and we don’t want to dampen the spirit and the good will people have.”
But that’s exactly what it’s done among some students and the Carbondale community.
“I miss the Christmas music,” student John Piencak told KFVS-TV. “It was really cold and (when I) walked out of my class to my car and I heard Jingle Bells, it made me happy.”
Beth Freeburg, works near the clock tower and told WSIL-TV that she enjoyed the Christmas music.
“I think it’s just a wonderful, inspirational thing,” she said.
Others, however, suggested the university should strictly play secular Christmas tunes.
“If it was Jingle Bells or White Christmas or something like that, I think it would be a lot more respectful,” student Christine Stowell told WSIL-TV.
And another student, Leah Rosenblat, said the change was appropriate. “I think it’s awesome. My respect for the university has gone up immensely with its decision to do this.”
Chancellor Cheng said the university staff assured her they could add other religious songs to the chimes without taking away from the Christian element.
“On a college campus, I would expect some dialogue,” she said. “We just wanted the full campus community to feel included.”
Refound America
December 10, 2010 at 11:25 am
If this was about Muslim music this wouldn't be an issue it would be a "Yes" decision so what is the problem? Where is the tolerance and diversity now?
vicki
December 10, 2010 at 1:28 pm
What is wrong with this university, they have had Christmas music for 15 years, and now it takes 1 person to complain about, so they stopped it. POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IS OUT OF CONTROL. Was this a foreigner that complained? If it was, this is America, WE HAVE TRADITIONS, enough with not offending this person. The University would rather offend people that look forward to the Christmas Bells.
David Clark
December 17, 2010 at 12:32 pm
No it was NOT a foreigner, just a typical home-grown liberal bigot.
Despite Cheng's slimy attempt to smear international students they are NOT the ones who complain. I have had many Moslem students in my lab over the years and many of them sent me Christmas cards!
(SIU professor)
William
December 10, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Kwanzaa is about as real a holiday as festivus and just as made up.
Alissa
December 10, 2010 at 8:15 pm
i'm with you vicki, if someone complained I'd say go find a new school. seriously, we will eventually reach the point where no one may have any traditions, religion, heritage or culture because it will always offend someone. why can't we appreciate and love our diversity, and respect one another's traditions. just be thankful that there ARE bells that play Christmas music. sigh. . .
Dick
December 12, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Vicki and william are dead on. Why is it that only when it pertains to "religion" is it offensive . There are a lot of things that offend me, but I won't say what they are because I don't want to offend anybody.
Alex Berlanga
December 13, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Alex Berlanga
If my tradition, religion, heritage or culture offends you, please go back where you came from. If i were in your country, bet you would tell me the same. You would not change your ways. I love this time of the year. We are all children of God. You are in my Country. Love it or leave it. Its that simple. Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays or Happy Hanaka or what ever.
eisenman0311
December 13, 2010 at 6:23 pm
I'm am SIU student and I am horrified that the bells were turned off because someone that is not Christian complained.
Ben Dover
March 22, 2011 at 9:33 am
Secular Christmas???
Isn't that an oxymoron?
And WHAT??? NO ISLAMIC MUSIC???