No library Christmas, please.
December 9, 2016 4:22 PM Subscribe
How do I ask my boss not to prominently display the Christmas tree she put up in our public library?
I work at a small one room public library near a large city. My branch has under 10 employees. Every year my boss puts up a Christmas tree and every year I feel uncomfortable about it.
I celebrate secular Christmas but I know a lot of people in our overall area don't and it seems unkind to affront them with religious symbols for a holiday they don't celebrate in a government building that is supposed to be a welcoming space for everyone.
At the same time, I know my boss is by and large a really great boss and a really nice person. I think it's her intention to just spread seasonal cheer and that she just legitimately doesn't recognize how having a Christmas tree in the branch could be a turn off for some people.
How can I bring this up without sounding like a total Grinch?
Are there any articles that talk about religious symbols in public libraries?
I work at a small one room public library near a large city. My branch has under 10 employees. Every year my boss puts up a Christmas tree and every year I feel uncomfortable about it.
I celebrate secular Christmas but I know a lot of people in our overall area don't and it seems unkind to affront them with religious symbols for a holiday they don't celebrate in a government building that is supposed to be a welcoming space for everyone.
At the same time, I know my boss is by and large a really great boss and a really nice person. I think it's her intention to just spread seasonal cheer and that she just legitimately doesn't recognize how having a Christmas tree in the branch could be a turn off for some people.
How can I bring this up without sounding like a total Grinch?
Are there any articles that talk about religious symbols in public libraries?
Do you have some alternate winter decorations you could suggest to her?
posted by Amanda B at 4:30 PM on December 9, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Amanda B at 4:30 PM on December 9, 2016 [1 favorite]
Yeah, I'd let this one slide. Decorated pine trees aren't religious inherently, though they have been obviously co-opted by Christian traditions. If there's nothing overtly religious about the display, like a crucifix on the top of the tree, I'd chalk this more up to an American/Western tradition than anything else.
posted by thewumpusisdead at 4:31 PM on December 9, 2016 [63 favorites]
posted by thewumpusisdead at 4:31 PM on December 9, 2016 [63 favorites]
Would it be possible to set it up as part of a display with symbols of other winter holidays (menorah, etc.) and a selection of books about all of them?
posted by belladonna at 4:32 PM on December 9, 2016 [39 favorites]
posted by belladonna at 4:32 PM on December 9, 2016 [39 favorites]
A Christmas tree is not religious. Sure, some subset of folks who are religious celebrate Christmas with a tree, but lots of folks who are not religious also do so. I'm all for sensitivity, but I can't see any way to approach this without looking like a total Grinch...
(And as an atheist, let me say that I don't see how a Christmas tree would be a turn-off for some people either. I've never heard of anyone else who has a problem with them. Nativity scenes? Sure. Christmas trees? No.)
posted by jdroth at 4:35 PM on December 9, 2016 [43 favorites]
(And as an atheist, let me say that I don't see how a Christmas tree would be a turn-off for some people either. I've never heard of anyone else who has a problem with them. Nativity scenes? Sure. Christmas trees? No.)
posted by jdroth at 4:35 PM on December 9, 2016 [43 favorites]
Mod note: Folks, the point about "it's no big deal/it would be fine with me" has pretty well been made at this point. OP thinks it's not fine and is looking for sources that could help to make that case to the boss.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 4:38 PM on December 9, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 4:38 PM on December 9, 2016 [7 favorites]
Ooh, I wrote a term paper on this back in college. The Supreme Court doesn't consider a Christmas tree to be a religious symbol, and of the many people I informally polled on the topic while writing the paper, none of them considered it to be a religious symbol either. Even in Lynch v. Donnelly, the case that set precedent here, nobody challenged the inclusion of a Christmas tree in a holiday display as being a religious symbol, it was a nativity scene in the same display that was the subject of the legal challenge. I understand that you're not talking about bringing a legal case here, but I'm just bringing this up because I think this legal precedent helps illustrate American cultural norms for what's considered inappropriate incursion of religious symbols. I feel like this probably isn't the best battle to fight. (FWIW, I am Jewish and don't celebrate Christmas.)
posted by phoenixy at 4:40 PM on December 9, 2016 [24 favorites]
posted by phoenixy at 4:40 PM on December 9, 2016 [24 favorites]
If you are going to bring it up, I'd wait till after Christmas. Do you have a planning day or something similar in the new year? That might be an ideal time to suggest doing something more inclusive next year, in the context of a broader discussion about all the activities/events planned for the year.
posted by girlgenius at 4:44 PM on December 9, 2016 [25 favorites]
posted by girlgenius at 4:44 PM on December 9, 2016 [25 favorites]
Is there any way you could submit an anonymous note? Something that could appear to come from a member of the public rather than from you? Hopefully that would bring the boss's attention to the issue and you could then suggest solutions.
Belladonna's suggestion to include other symbols of the holiday season is also a good way to go about this - present your concern as one of "Could we add to this?" rather than one of "Bah, humbug!"
posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 4:45 PM on December 9, 2016 [1 favorite]
Belladonna's suggestion to include other symbols of the holiday season is also a good way to go about this - present your concern as one of "Could we add to this?" rather than one of "Bah, humbug!"
posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 4:45 PM on December 9, 2016 [1 favorite]
I work in a federal government building and every year, GSA puts up a giant tree. The key, though, is there are no religious symbols anywhere near the tree. No angels, no mangers, not even any stars on top. The ornaments are candy canes and colored balls, and santa is the topper. They're very careful to make it as non-religious as possible. So I think that could be a starting point for your boss - greenery and lights are okay, but take down anything that seems religious.
posted by umwhat at 4:48 PM on December 9, 2016 [18 favorites]
posted by umwhat at 4:48 PM on December 9, 2016 [18 favorites]
it seems unkind to affront them with religious symbols for a holiday they don't celebrate
Who is "them?" Have people actually brought this up with you, your boss, or your coworkers? Is offense actually happening, or is this your assumption?
FWIW, I grew up in a practicing Muslim family in the United States. We did not celebrate Christmas at all, even in the secular sense. I mean there was that one year we persuaded our parents to get a mini tabletop tree and decorate it with 25-cent ornaments and an absurd amount of tinsel from a local drugstore, but that was about it. No gifts, the tree went into the dusty basement storage area after, and that was it for every year after.
But my dad especially loved Christmas/Holiday/Winter lights. We didn't have any at home, but we would often drive around the local neighborhoods to admire them. They were so pretty to look at! [our dad called them "so pretty" lights. Like, "Did you see the So Pretty Lights on that one house with the green and blue ones?"]
Anyway. Now I'm an atheist. Two of my siblings are probably more diest in their true beliefs. One of my siblings considers himself Muslim. We all have "Christmas trees" in our home, despite zero belief in any of the religious stuff. Lots of practicing Muslim families I know do. It's seasonal, pretty festive stuff - not Christian.
posted by raztaj at 4:50 PM on December 9, 2016 [43 favorites]
Who is "them?" Have people actually brought this up with you, your boss, or your coworkers? Is offense actually happening, or is this your assumption?
FWIW, I grew up in a practicing Muslim family in the United States. We did not celebrate Christmas at all, even in the secular sense. I mean there was that one year we persuaded our parents to get a mini tabletop tree and decorate it with 25-cent ornaments and an absurd amount of tinsel from a local drugstore, but that was about it. No gifts, the tree went into the dusty basement storage area after, and that was it for every year after.
But my dad especially loved Christmas/Holiday/Winter lights. We didn't have any at home, but we would often drive around the local neighborhoods to admire them. They were so pretty to look at! [our dad called them "so pretty" lights. Like, "Did you see the So Pretty Lights on that one house with the green and blue ones?"]
Anyway. Now I'm an atheist. Two of my siblings are probably more diest in their true beliefs. One of my siblings considers himself Muslim. We all have "Christmas trees" in our home, despite zero belief in any of the religious stuff. Lots of practicing Muslim families I know do. It's seasonal, pretty festive stuff - not Christian.
posted by raztaj at 4:50 PM on December 9, 2016 [43 favorites]
The difference between a bothersome Christmas tree and just a pretty seasonal space-waster is the decorations. If there's a winged angel on top and Christian-related motifs on the ornaments, it's grinch city for me. If there's colorful abstract shapes and kid's crafts and location-appropriate themed ornaments, I am aesthetically pleased and emotionally begrudging. (Book ornaments!) If the decoration is actually a participatory thing with local charities enabling easy donations to a good (secular) cause and the tree serves a purpose, I'm legitimately happy and couldn't give a candied fig about the form factor.
It's the wrong time to suggest nixing the tree altogether. But asking that the decorations be entirely secular would be fine, especially if maybe the decorations are made partially by library patrons (do you have kids' programs?). As a Jewish person I find it super duper annoying when my religious symbols are tossed up on Christmas trees like that isn't extremely problematic, so please if you're including universal holiday symbols don't include those of other religions, just stick to like, world peace and snow and candy.
posted by Mizu at 4:52 PM on December 9, 2016 [6 favorites]
It's the wrong time to suggest nixing the tree altogether. But asking that the decorations be entirely secular would be fine, especially if maybe the decorations are made partially by library patrons (do you have kids' programs?). As a Jewish person I find it super duper annoying when my religious symbols are tossed up on Christmas trees like that isn't extremely problematic, so please if you're including universal holiday symbols don't include those of other religions, just stick to like, world peace and snow and candy.
posted by Mizu at 4:52 PM on December 9, 2016 [6 favorites]
I think a Christmas tree is secular Christian (like you can be a secular Jew), and Santa pushes it away from secular a bit, and angels push it away more, and a star topper pushes it away even more, but if you are careful in your decorating, I don't mind it: trees are pretty.
Perhaps instead you could recommend -- at APPROPRIATE times of the year -- putting up symbols for holidays from other cultures. (Chanukah is not a major holiday, do something else.)
posted by jeather at 5:11 PM on December 9, 2016 [5 favorites]
Perhaps instead you could recommend -- at APPROPRIATE times of the year -- putting up symbols for holidays from other cultures. (Chanukah is not a major holiday, do something else.)
posted by jeather at 5:11 PM on December 9, 2016 [5 favorites]
One way to make it more welcoming would be all book-related ornaments. Maybe bring that up as a sideways method of discussing the issues you perceive.
FWIW my son learned about Santa Claus at school from his hijab-wearing Muslim preschool teacher.
posted by warriorqueen at 5:25 PM on December 9, 2016 [11 favorites]
FWIW my son learned about Santa Claus at school from his hijab-wearing Muslim preschool teacher.
posted by warriorqueen at 5:25 PM on December 9, 2016 [11 favorites]
Honestly, who gets mad at Christmas trees? I hang out with a very diverse lefty group of people, and I have never heard a single person comment on the inappropriateness of Christmas trees and they definitely would if any of them had a problem with it. I'm a staunch atheist and I put up a tree most years - it's a slice of Americana as much or more than a religious symbol.
posted by zug at 5:26 PM on December 9, 2016 [11 favorites]
posted by zug at 5:26 PM on December 9, 2016 [11 favorites]
I am someone who dislikes overt Christmas trees in public spaces like schools and libraries. It's not my holiday and I do think that it is prioritizing one holiday over all the other winter holidays. People don't have to agree with me but those are my feelings before I head into this. Regardless of whatever objective reason or Supreme Court decision, I feel strongly a "this is not for you" message from places that go all out for Christmas. I'm not mad about it, but I do feel not-included, personally.
The usual way to manage this is to at least make an effort with the other winter holidays. It's just good manners. And I also concur, no religious symbolism on the tree if you can help it.
You might also, next year, offer some sort of "alternative tree" that was a little more library-appropriate (you see ALL of those book trees all over facebook this time of year) or make extra sure that you're doing library programming that is more appropriate to ALL the winter holidays. Even having ornaments for all the winter holidays is a good step towards making it seem like a seasonal tree and not one that pairs up with a Christian holiday.
I think if it were me, I'd lump it this time around but I'd find a time later in the year next year to bring up issues of diversity and inclusion around the library or use this as an example when someone in your library starts some sort of "EVERYONE belongs as the library" think as many people do. Bring it up without rancor but be like "You know, I'm not sure the Christmas tree sends that message"
posted by jessamyn at 5:27 PM on December 9, 2016 [34 favorites]
The usual way to manage this is to at least make an effort with the other winter holidays. It's just good manners. And I also concur, no religious symbolism on the tree if you can help it.
You might also, next year, offer some sort of "alternative tree" that was a little more library-appropriate (you see ALL of those book trees all over facebook this time of year) or make extra sure that you're doing library programming that is more appropriate to ALL the winter holidays. Even having ornaments for all the winter holidays is a good step towards making it seem like a seasonal tree and not one that pairs up with a Christian holiday.
I think if it were me, I'd lump it this time around but I'd find a time later in the year next year to bring up issues of diversity and inclusion around the library or use this as an example when someone in your library starts some sort of "EVERYONE belongs as the library" think as many people do. Bring it up without rancor but be like "You know, I'm not sure the Christmas tree sends that message"
posted by jessamyn at 5:27 PM on December 9, 2016 [34 favorites]
...by which I meant above that I think there are traditions that increasingly read as secular, if problematic.
posted by warriorqueen at 5:30 PM on December 9, 2016
posted by warriorqueen at 5:30 PM on December 9, 2016
I think it's admirable that you want to make your library a welcoming space for all your patrons.
Does your library also decorate for Hannukah, Ramadan, Quanza? In the vein of comments above, you might get more mileage by suggesting that other cultures and faith traditions be honored, rather than asking that none of them are. Put together a nice idea for the next major non-Western holiday (no idea what that would be but Chinese New Year comes to mind) and present it to your boss.
The best way to make people feel welcome, though, would be to get their actual opinions and feedback about anything that makes them feel unwelcome or uncomfortable now. Right now I think you're making an empathetic guess as to how people *might* feel. Do you have a venue for asking the general public about things like this? Some kind of online polling or anonymous suggestion box? Nothing beats actual data, IMO.
posted by bunderful at 5:30 PM on December 9, 2016 [6 favorites]
Does your library also decorate for Hannukah, Ramadan, Quanza? In the vein of comments above, you might get more mileage by suggesting that other cultures and faith traditions be honored, rather than asking that none of them are. Put together a nice idea for the next major non-Western holiday (no idea what that would be but Chinese New Year comes to mind) and present it to your boss.
The best way to make people feel welcome, though, would be to get their actual opinions and feedback about anything that makes them feel unwelcome or uncomfortable now. Right now I think you're making an empathetic guess as to how people *might* feel. Do you have a venue for asking the general public about things like this? Some kind of online polling or anonymous suggestion box? Nothing beats actual data, IMO.
posted by bunderful at 5:30 PM on December 9, 2016 [6 favorites]
I like Christmas trees as much as the next person but there's no way they read as secular to this Jewish Mefite who feels vaguely unwelcome every time she walks into the extremely tree-y foyer of her office building.
I like the idea of putting up decorations from other religious traditions.
posted by ferret branca at 5:33 PM on December 9, 2016 [24 favorites]
I like the idea of putting up decorations from other religious traditions.
posted by ferret branca at 5:33 PM on December 9, 2016 [24 favorites]
Yeah, as a Jew, Christmas trees are not necessarily a religious thing but they are ABSOLUTELY a Christmas thing, and no, Christmas is not everybody's holiday. Even secular Christmas. People commenting about what "everybody" or "nobody" thinks about Christmas trees, consider that there's a big difference between being a non-Christmas-observer in the sense of "atheist who's comfortable with the Christmas tradition" and in the sense of "thanks, we have other holidays that we do, but we don't do this one." Not everyone wants to take part in ambient Christian cultural stuff, and that should be OK.
Is library money being spent on this? Even as a non-celebrant I like Christmas decorations, but that would bother me.
And also: are there a lot of recent immigrants in your area? And are a significant number of them non-Christian? Because if your library has a lot of patrons who haven't had much time to get used to the American division between Christian-Christian and secular-Christian, I would stay far away from this.
posted by ostro at 5:53 PM on December 9, 2016 [23 favorites]
Is library money being spent on this? Even as a non-celebrant I like Christmas decorations, but that would bother me.
And also: are there a lot of recent immigrants in your area? And are a significant number of them non-Christian? Because if your library has a lot of patrons who haven't had much time to get used to the American division between Christian-Christian and secular-Christian, I would stay far away from this.
posted by ostro at 5:53 PM on December 9, 2016 [23 favorites]
I am an atheist raised first Pentecostal and then Baptist. Christmas trees represent a religious holiday and as such the several ones in my workplace annoy the hell out of me every year.
How about adding an adjacent prominent display about the history of dragging a tree into your house to honor a midwinter festival (and other non-Christian origins of said festival)?
I honestly don't know if you'll win a 'no tree' battle - I speak from experience (which changed the way I felt about my workplace even though that boss is no longer here). That doesn't mean you shouldn't try!
posted by Occula at 5:55 PM on December 9, 2016
How about adding an adjacent prominent display about the history of dragging a tree into your house to honor a midwinter festival (and other non-Christian origins of said festival)?
I honestly don't know if you'll win a 'no tree' battle - I speak from experience (which changed the way I felt about my workplace even though that boss is no longer here). That doesn't mean you shouldn't try!
posted by Occula at 5:55 PM on December 9, 2016
Mod note: Folks, please let it rest here in terms of "here's my personal feeling about Christmas trees." The OP is asking "How can I bring this up without sounding like a total Grinch? Are there any articles that talk about religious symbols in public libraries?" - so from here on, please focus on either how to bring it up or on resources OP can refer to.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 5:58 PM on December 9, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 5:58 PM on December 9, 2016 [5 favorites]
What if instead of taking away the tree, you added other winter holidays symbols? It's a library so you could put books on other cultures winter holidays and information about them in the display.
posted by katypickle at 6:04 PM on December 9, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by katypickle at 6:04 PM on December 9, 2016 [1 favorite]
I agree that you should wait to bring this up until after Christmas. I think that the best way to bring it up is to discuss the wonderful American tradition of separation of church and state. And how using public funds and a public venue to promote a single religion is not a positive thing.
I'd also like to make the following points:
Something that is called a Christmas tree has a great deal to do with the Christian religious holiday Christmas
Santa Claus is a variation of St. Nicholas a Christian saint.
posted by sciencegeek at 6:16 PM on December 9, 2016
I'd also like to make the following points:
Something that is called a Christmas tree has a great deal to do with the Christian religious holiday Christmas
Santa Claus is a variation of St. Nicholas a Christian saint.
posted by sciencegeek at 6:16 PM on December 9, 2016
You may be interested in the Freedom From Religion Foundation. A couple of cases in there discuss legal cases involving Christmas/holiday trees on public land, though most focus on more overtly religious symbols such as Nativity scenes and creches.
The American Library Association discusses religious displays in public libraries, though not specifically Christmas trees.
posted by Pandora Kouti at 6:29 PM on December 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
The American Library Association discusses religious displays in public libraries, though not specifically Christmas trees.
posted by Pandora Kouti at 6:29 PM on December 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
I agree that it's probably too late to do anything about it this year, other than suggest religious ornaments be left off.
My main concern about a Christmas tree in a small, one-room library branch is that it would take up too much valuable floorspace. That might be something to bring up when planning for next year. Maybe wreaths or garlands would be a less intrusive decoration to suggest for next year's winter holiday season.
I I think it's great that you're thinking about ways to make the library welcoming to everyone regardless of whether or not they express personal offense.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:37 PM on December 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
My main concern about a Christmas tree in a small, one-room library branch is that it would take up too much valuable floorspace. That might be something to bring up when planning for next year. Maybe wreaths or garlands would be a less intrusive decoration to suggest for next year's winter holiday season.
I I think it's great that you're thinking about ways to make the library welcoming to everyone regardless of whether or not they express personal offense.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:37 PM on December 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
In cases like this my advice is always: don't present a problem, present a solution. Taking the tree down is not your objective, creating a welcome atmosphere is. Don't lead with taking the tree down. Try something like, "Boss, I've noticed our community has become increasingly diverse and in the spirit of welcoming everyone [i]and[/i] fostering the festive atmosphere we so love about this season let's decorate our space with white and blue lights, fluffy fake snow cotton crap, gingerbread dwellings, etc."
posted by good lorneing at 6:39 PM on December 9, 2016 [18 favorites]
posted by good lorneing at 6:39 PM on December 9, 2016 [18 favorites]
"The tree looks great! I was thinking we could do a [relevant holiday to your community] display too, since so many of our patrons are [community group]. Where do you think is the best place to put it?"
posted by danceswithlight at 6:39 PM on December 9, 2016 [10 favorites]
posted by danceswithlight at 6:39 PM on December 9, 2016 [10 favorites]
Oh yes, and count this season as a loss. Taking a Christmas tree down before Christmas or even suggesting as much will cause far, far more drama than you want. Fighting against scrooges who do that is the plot of pretty much every made-for-tv Christmas movie. Fight this battle next year.
posted by good lorneing at 6:47 PM on December 9, 2016 [9 favorites]
posted by good lorneing at 6:47 PM on December 9, 2016 [9 favorites]
Another vote for expanding rather than contracting holiday displays. At the first meeting after Christmas say "The christmas tree we do every year is such a great way to promote Christmas-related parts of the collection (I assume you also put the Christmas-related books on special display?) and to make people feel welcome and at home around Christmas time. Let's expand this by brainstorming and researching other holidays we can do this for." Then put up displays for other religions (or secular) holidays, both decorating the branch and promoting relevant parts of the collection.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:01 PM on December 9, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:01 PM on December 9, 2016 [7 favorites]
And in case I was unclear: This would be a year-round effort, not just "what other holidays are in December?" Thing. So Eid, Diwali, Chinese New Year etc. should make the list and receive the holiday treatment, even though/if they don't fall in December.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:02 PM on December 9, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:02 PM on December 9, 2016 [5 favorites]
Well, the yule tree is actually a pagan tradition, to celebrate the winter solstice. People might add a star or angel but really, the actual religion it symbolises is a very old, mostly dead one. I mean think about it...why would baby jesus want a pine tree? I'd say as long as they aren't adding a manger scene, or an angel on top, it's best to leave it be. The christmas tree is mostly just set dressing nowadays.
I second the idea of adding different holiday items/symbols next year. Telling them to have no tree or holiday decorations is a little much, but it's pretty easy to ask that things be added to the display. More holiday cheer is going to be easier to sell as an idea than "take down all the holiday decorations". The last thing we need in such divided times is to tell people they can't celebrate. We just need more celebration of different kinds!
Putting out a display of books about different holidays/religions would also be great. Even a few printouts on a board giving an overview of international holidays and their dates would be nice.
posted by InkDrinker at 7:09 PM on December 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
I second the idea of adding different holiday items/symbols next year. Telling them to have no tree or holiday decorations is a little much, but it's pretty easy to ask that things be added to the display. More holiday cheer is going to be easier to sell as an idea than "take down all the holiday decorations". The last thing we need in such divided times is to tell people they can't celebrate. We just need more celebration of different kinds!
Putting out a display of books about different holidays/religions would also be great. Even a few printouts on a board giving an overview of international holidays and their dates would be nice.
posted by InkDrinker at 7:09 PM on December 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
There are two schools of thought as used in most offices/public places:
1. Put up decorations for "both" holidays. Very popular if there is a significant Jewish population, or other population that also celebrates a December holiday.
2. Have a tree, but no colors or specific decorations on it that indicate that it is a Christmas tree. I'm an atheist. We have a holiday tree, because the neo-pagan in me likes honoring old solstice traditions. (Also they smell amazing and are festive.) However, ours is decorated with a loose "science/nerdy" theme. There's no particular color scheme, and all the ornaments are totally secular.
Would she take into account non-religious decorations on the tree, or allow for a menorah to also be put on display?
posted by Sara C. at 7:10 PM on December 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
1. Put up decorations for "both" holidays. Very popular if there is a significant Jewish population, or other population that also celebrates a December holiday.
2. Have a tree, but no colors or specific decorations on it that indicate that it is a Christmas tree. I'm an atheist. We have a holiday tree, because the neo-pagan in me likes honoring old solstice traditions. (Also they smell amazing and are festive.) However, ours is decorated with a loose "science/nerdy" theme. There's no particular color scheme, and all the ornaments are totally secular.
Would she take into account non-religious decorations on the tree, or allow for a menorah to also be put on display?
posted by Sara C. at 7:10 PM on December 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
I think a neutral suggestion would just be for a winter scene. It can still have sparkly snowflakes. Kids could cut paper snowflakes. You could have penguins and snowmen and whatnot.
So a way to suggest changing it would definitely to bring it up with an alternative idea and why that idea is inclusive. I think "winter" overall can be fun, sparky, and inclusive.
posted by Crystalinne at 7:14 PM on December 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
So a way to suggest changing it would definitely to bring it up with an alternative idea and why that idea is inclusive. I think "winter" overall can be fun, sparky, and inclusive.
posted by Crystalinne at 7:14 PM on December 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
If your goal is No Tree, I think that it is crucial that you not wage this campaign this year, but instead plan it for next year. The tree is already up; taking it down would be huge, public statement and conflict event in a way that just not putting one up next year would not be.
This year, however, you could lobby to make it an ecumenical tree. Ours was certainly not the only family with a bunch of Star of David ornaments and a Hanukkah Bush. I know at least one family with a Kwanzaa Bush, and a dual-faith family with a Kwanzaa Menorah.
posted by DarlingBri at 7:26 PM on December 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
This year, however, you could lobby to make it an ecumenical tree. Ours was certainly not the only family with a bunch of Star of David ornaments and a Hanukkah Bush. I know at least one family with a Kwanzaa Bush, and a dual-faith family with a Kwanzaa Menorah.
posted by DarlingBri at 7:26 PM on December 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
I work in a federal government building and every year, GSA puts up a giant tree. The key, though, is there are no religious symbols anywhere near the tree. No angels, no mangers, not even any stars on top. The ornaments are candy canes and colored balls, and santa is the topper. They're very careful to make it as non-religious as possible.
I work for a private company, but it is the same thing, with a non-religious "holiday" tree with lights and tinsel. And while it is a nice gesture in a way, it also is hard not to notice that no one is putting up similar decorations to mark any non-Christian holidays.
So while on the spectrum of inclusiveness the plain tree is a lot better than a manger scene, the better option is to be actually inclusive.
posted by Dip Flash at 7:26 PM on December 9, 2016 [3 favorites]
I work for a private company, but it is the same thing, with a non-religious "holiday" tree with lights and tinsel. And while it is a nice gesture in a way, it also is hard not to notice that no one is putting up similar decorations to mark any non-Christian holidays.
So while on the spectrum of inclusiveness the plain tree is a lot better than a manger scene, the better option is to be actually inclusive.
posted by Dip Flash at 7:26 PM on December 9, 2016 [3 favorites]
My local library (and I think a lot of libraries do this) does an educational seasonal display of all of the winter holidays. I'm sort of surprised yours does do this, I feel like it is so common. Perhaps you could suggest to your boss that you do that in an effort to be more inclusive...and also educational.
posted by Toddles at 7:48 PM on December 9, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Toddles at 7:48 PM on December 9, 2016 [3 favorites]
I agree with Toddles; next year volunteer to do an educational seasonal display where all major winter holidays are represented as equally as possible, and say that you'd like to do this so that everyone visiting your library feels just as welcome as those who celebrate Christmas do. If you do it this year, you'll be my hero, but I recognize it's an action fraught with a bit of danger.
Thank you for thinking of this.
posted by Hermione Granger at 7:53 PM on December 9, 2016
Thank you for thinking of this.
posted by Hermione Granger at 7:53 PM on December 9, 2016
Yeah, it's pretty noticeable that all these decorations - even heavily secularised ones - go up around a major Christian holiday whilst for the holidays I celebrate, such as Eid, there is a resounding silence even in Londonistan. I think your non-Christian clients might appreciate an effort to recognise other celebrations - all year round - rather than getting rid of all of them or focusing only on the winter ones. I'm an adult but when I've come across a small acknowledgement of a holiday that my family cares about means a great deal to me; imagine what it might mean to a child. That might be something to bring up to your boss.
posted by tavegyl at 7:55 PM on December 9, 2016 [8 favorites]
posted by tavegyl at 7:55 PM on December 9, 2016 [8 favorites]
How can I plan inclusive holiday decorations? from the Anti-Defamation League.
Culturally sensitive holiday decorations all year long - from Brockport.
Holiday decoration guidelines for the workplace from FindLaw. Mostly about small businesses, but does refer to public institutions.
posted by bunderful at 8:06 PM on December 9, 2016 [8 favorites]
Culturally sensitive holiday decorations all year long - from Brockport.
Holiday decoration guidelines for the workplace from FindLaw. Mostly about small businesses, but does refer to public institutions.
posted by bunderful at 8:06 PM on December 9, 2016 [8 favorites]
What other religions are represented among your patrons? What can you do to incorporate additional celebrations?
posted by theora55 at 8:11 PM on December 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by theora55 at 8:11 PM on December 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
Have you checked out Storytime Underground on Facebook? They had a big discussion a few weeks ago about Christmas decorations at libraries and now they are formally anti. If you can't find a way to approach it with your boss (I'd probably mention that hey, here's a thing I came across, isn't that interesting?) you could ask there and I bet people there would have suggestions.
posted by katemonster at 8:23 PM on December 9, 2016
posted by katemonster at 8:23 PM on December 9, 2016
I once read an article about this issue. Christians look at a Hanukkah menorah and think, "Oh how lovely! Look at the lights!" Jews look at a Christmas tree and think of the holocaust.
If you were raised in the majority culture, you can't see how these symbols could possibly upset anyone. And the implication is that we're should suck it up and get over it.
And you know what? I'm sick of that shit.
I think the people who don't see how a Christmas tree could be offensive should learn to practice some cultural humility. Would it be possible to think about this as a teachable moment?
What do you think it would be like to take the boss to one side, tell him what a great person he is, and also let him know how it hurts to have the tree there?
posted by jasper411 at 8:46 PM on December 9, 2016 [11 favorites]
If you were raised in the majority culture, you can't see how these symbols could possibly upset anyone. And the implication is that we're should suck it up and get over it.
And you know what? I'm sick of that shit.
I think the people who don't see how a Christmas tree could be offensive should learn to practice some cultural humility. Would it be possible to think about this as a teachable moment?
What do you think it would be like to take the boss to one side, tell him what a great person he is, and also let him know how it hurts to have the tree there?
posted by jasper411 at 8:46 PM on December 9, 2016 [11 favorites]
I doubt it would be, but if it's a real pine tree you could point out people (like me, and pretty much my whole family) are allergic to pine. December is brutal.
posted by BeeJiddy at 10:25 PM on December 9, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by BeeJiddy at 10:25 PM on December 9, 2016 [3 favorites]
>I know a lot of people in our overall area don't
If you have demographic stats that you think will help, use them. (If you don't think they'd be persuasive, forget that, stick to the kinds of materials bunderful linked to.) Inclusion isn't just a nice thing to do, I mean presumably you and your boss want people/numbers using books (or whatever metric matters), which must depend on some extent on feeling welcome, for whatever funding calculations matter.
2nd Darling Bri - the tree is already up, the get-it-down conversation, with your superior, would be a bad look for you. Definitely a convo for next winter. At this point, better to go for the "all aboard" strategy for this season.
posted by cotton dress sock at 11:04 PM on December 9, 2016 [1 favorite]
If you have demographic stats that you think will help, use them. (If you don't think they'd be persuasive, forget that, stick to the kinds of materials bunderful linked to.) Inclusion isn't just a nice thing to do, I mean presumably you and your boss want people/numbers using books (or whatever metric matters), which must depend on some extent on feeling welcome, for whatever funding calculations matter.
2nd Darling Bri - the tree is already up, the get-it-down conversation, with your superior, would be a bad look for you. Definitely a convo for next winter. At this point, better to go for the "all aboard" strategy for this season.
posted by cotton dress sock at 11:04 PM on December 9, 2016 [1 favorite]
I totally get - and honestly have already fought this kind of battle in the Army- the desire to have more inclusive holidays.
Let me save you the bad feelings you will get and tell you that I promise the way to make people feel welcome is not to make an actual War On Christmas which will be a big drawn out LibraryFight that no one wins and everyone loses, but rather to have symbols of all holidays up and books about the holidays prominently on display. Make it less a thing by making the other things more.
posted by corb at 1:11 AM on December 10, 2016 [5 favorites]
Let me save you the bad feelings you will get and tell you that I promise the way to make people feel welcome is not to make an actual War On Christmas which will be a big drawn out LibraryFight that no one wins and everyone loses, but rather to have symbols of all holidays up and books about the holidays prominently on display. Make it less a thing by making the other things more.
posted by corb at 1:11 AM on December 10, 2016 [5 favorites]
Mod note: A few deleted. Again, this isn't a discussion spot for the question "how do you personally feel about Christmas trees in public places," or other commentary that doesn't address the question. OP is asking how to approach their boss about it, and if there are resources for the issue of religious symbols in public libraries.
posted by taz (staff) at 5:01 AM on December 10, 2016
posted by taz (staff) at 5:01 AM on December 10, 2016
How does your boss respond to the concept of privilege? Would it he or she be receptive to the notion that this is a form of Christian privilege? (The Christmas tree becomes a "normal" symbol of December/winter, while the symbols of Chanukah, Eid, Diwali, Chinese New Year connote specific religions/cultures.)
I do think you'll get more traction by framing this as "let's be more inclusive in 2017" than "let's take down this Christmas tree." For minority groups, seeing a symbol that acknowledges them can be incredibly meaningful. I say this is as someone who grew up in a liberal school district right outside Washington DC, that made explicit concessions to Christian groups (Christmas and Easter Week were holidays, and the cafeterias served only fish on Fridays) and never recognized my family's cultural tradition outside of incorrect social studies lessons. I'm an atheist now but I was still so so happy when the Obamas celebrated Diwali and Eid in the White House.
posted by basalganglia at 6:00 AM on December 10, 2016 [3 favorites]
I do think you'll get more traction by framing this as "let's be more inclusive in 2017" than "let's take down this Christmas tree." For minority groups, seeing a symbol that acknowledges them can be incredibly meaningful. I say this is as someone who grew up in a liberal school district right outside Washington DC, that made explicit concessions to Christian groups (Christmas and Easter Week were holidays, and the cafeterias served only fish on Fridays) and never recognized my family's cultural tradition outside of incorrect social studies lessons. I'm an atheist now but I was still so so happy when the Obamas celebrated Diwali and Eid in the White House.
posted by basalganglia at 6:00 AM on December 10, 2016 [3 favorites]
A different angle: my wife is allergic to pine, so we have to use plastic trees. You could look into that allergy and how many people have it in some form, and then make a case for not having a tree based on accessibility and inclusiveness in health terms.
Even if she then buys a plastic one, if it's lifelike, you could suggest that the sight of it keeps allergy sufferers away.
posted by chimpsonfilm at 7:08 AM on December 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
Even if she then buys a plastic one, if it's lifelike, you could suggest that the sight of it keeps allergy sufferers away.
posted by chimpsonfilm at 7:08 AM on December 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
Depending on everyone's politics, you could broach this in the context of current events, as in "how can we make the library even more welcoming in these nativist times?" (The approach of celebrating lots of cultural events year-round has the added potential benefit of being educational about the cultural and religious diversity that actually exists locally and in the US at large, and, if done well, could help make that diversity feel less "other" to those unfamiliar with it.)
posted by trig at 7:21 AM on December 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by trig at 7:21 AM on December 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
I think raising it after might be best. Do you have a community volunteer advisory group? A first step might be asking about outreach for membership... what languages and community centres are reached? Then the group could be a resource on making the library welcoming for the community.
posted by chapps at 3:14 PM on December 10, 2016
posted by chapps at 3:14 PM on December 10, 2016
Is the tree part of a year long practice of displaying the symbols of multiple world religions in equally complete presentations?
If not, it is a problem. As an atheist, if my public library was doing this, I would feel unwelcome and complain. Not sure exactly how you can make this point to your boss, but perhaps an anonymous customer complaint is the pre-text that will work.
posted by hworth at 4:42 PM on December 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
If not, it is a problem. As an atheist, if my public library was doing this, I would feel unwelcome and complain. Not sure exactly how you can make this point to your boss, but perhaps an anonymous customer complaint is the pre-text that will work.
posted by hworth at 4:42 PM on December 10, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by hwyengr at 4:25 PM on December 9, 2016 [41 favorites]