I am strongly against any form of anti-semitism, bigotry and injustice whether from the minority or the majority. Wrong is wrong. We are expected to be tolerant of others' differences, but we should also be able to expect others to be tolerant of ours.
West High School has worked very hard to build an excellent choral music program. There were years when they didn't have a music program at all, and they really had to struggle to get one. I think it is unfortunate that one person can come in and spoil a lot of hard work for the many who enjoy it, referring to the controversy over the singing of Christmas songs.Does this mean that if one student objects to classical music, that we should do away with classical music in the music programs? Those of us who try to be fair minded do not go into the public school and tell these people, like the young Jewish lady, her family and those of any other cultures, which traditions in their lives they can or cannot observe. We study the Holocaust, slavery, the origins of Christianity, Hinduism, Utah pioneers, etc., in our schools, and there are those who would have us take these things out of the curriculum. But this is history. These are the things that make us what we are, including the music.
Most of us are outraged at injustices suffered by anyone: the Jews, blacks, Japanese, even the Mormons for that matter. But to force the schools to abandon what has been traditional since this country began would be a crime as well.
When this young lady took that elective music class, she knew, or should have known, that these kind of performances would be done. It's perfectly fine for her not to agree with the practice of Christian carols, but she should not deprive everyone else. If she had a problem with it, she should have taken another class or arranged with the teacher ahead of time to do alternate assignments to get her grade.
I found it interesting that the program sung Wednesday night included a Hebrew song. I didn't hear anyone raise any objections about that, and the students performed it with respect and sweetness. I think the students, in return, have the right to the same kind of respect from these dissenters. We all have rights. Has our desire for our rights overshadowed love for our fellow man, kindness, tolerance, common decency and acceptance of each other as human beings?
JoLynn S. Simpson
Bountiful