Story by Matt Young | December 22, 2009 | Tags: cary, christmas, don frantz, nc, Opinion
Cary, NC – Today I had an “e-conversation” with Don Frantz (Cary Town Councilman District B) over the “controversy” about what we should call the coniferous green thing we cut down from the woods and put ornaments on and light up during the winter solstice. Our own Cary Citizen Publisher told me he thought the whole thing was just a ”tempest in a teapot.” Turns out it is.
I did a little sleuth work to see what the buzz was all about in the Cary social media and even in some of the local papers. Seems a lot of people have the story wrong. Contrary to what the press and the blogs are saying…this isn’t 21st century Cary political correctness run amok. According to Don, the Town of Cary has “never officially” referred to the town’s trees as “Christmas trees.” They have always been called either a “Holiday tree” or “Community tree”.
Don added that his ”request seeks to call Cary’s trees what they really are – ‘Christmas trees’. Calling a Christmas tree a Holiday tree is like calling the Jewish Menorah a candelabra. A Christmas tree is a Christmas tree. In our efforts to not offend anyone we have succeeded at offending nearly everyone.”
He pointed out that even the the White House continues to refer to their trees as Christmas trees.
Don also told me that he wanted to get the word out to make sure folks knew he was sorry “for all the media attention this issue has received” and that it was not his intent. Don had suggested that the subject be discussed in January after the holidays so as not to “put a damper” on everyone’s Christmas and other holiday celebrations. Don added, that he “maybe should have waited until May.”
I’m with Don, let’s call it what it is. A “Christmas tree”. Somehow, I have confidence the council will make the right decision. But let’s deal with it in May. For now – Merry Christmas!
Matt Young is Managing Editor of CaryCitizen.
Brent
December 23, 2009 at 8:28 am
(With apologies to the unknown author of O Tannenbaum):
O Holiday Tree, O Holiday Tree
How lovely are thy branches!
We must not call you Christmas Tree
That’s not at all what is P.C.
O Holiday Tree, O Holiday Tree
How lovely are thy branches!
O Holiday Tree, O Holiday Tree
Your boughs can teach a lesson!
Cary won’t dictate Halloween
But we mis-name our evergreen.
O Holiday Tree, O Holiday Tree
Your boughs can teach a lesson!
Ernst Anschütz 1824
December 23, 2009 at 8:40 am
Apology reluctantly accepted.
Larry Schwabauer
December 24, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Why not tell Councilman Frantz that he should try to pick another holiday to be politically correct with and change one of their traditions….or is he afraid of the backlash if he says anything about a jewish or muslim holiday. He picks on the christian holiday because he knows it is safe to do. A tree decorated in December is a…….CHRISTMAS TREE!!!!
Sallie Deaton
December 27, 2009 at 1:10 am
I’m surprised it’s not beige
Clark M
December 28, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Um….Larry,
Councilman Frantz is the one requesting the town call its tree a Christmas Tree. Did you even read the article?
Thank You Councilman Frantz!
Michael
January 3, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I’m glad that they are putting lots of time and effort in to “important” issues. No matter what is decided in Jan, the town will lose. If they vote to leave the name as is, then some citizens will be vocal and complain.
If they vote to change it, then the town will be required by law to treat all religious decorations the same and provide space and fund them to some extent. Other towns that have gone through this same downward spiral. They put up decorations for a specific religion, other religious groups request equal treatment. If their request is denied, the ACLU sues and the town is then forced to allow their request. The town ends up with more and more religious decorations surrounding the tree, which upsets the citizens who originally wanted the change. Eventually, the town will remove all decorations after spending lots of tax dollars on legal fees, decorations and staff time.
Hal Goodtree
January 3, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Thanks for the thoughtful comment, Michael. Being a pessimist, I fear it has the ring of truth.
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