The editor

I have made my living since 1982 as a performer-entertainer.

Due to the economy crunch I have found it more and more difficult to earn a living in my chosen field. I recently ran into a situation which has removed a line of income.

I offered my Christmas show to a parent advisory committee in our local school system as a fundraiser event. The response I received surprised me and the reason for rejecting is a threat to our Canadian way of life. I was informed that their executive was looking into it “due to cultural diversity in our district, we would never want to offend, even one parent.”

Christmas is truly a Canadian tradition and I cannot see how it can offend anyone.

Even if someone is offended by a joyous occasion such as Christmas, they can simply choose not to attend the concert. The show I offered will be performed outside of regular school hours. How is it that one person who might be offended demand that the rest of us cannot continue our traditions in the school system? Does that person leave all their beliefs and customs at home when they enter the school?

If the board chooses not to celebrate Christmas in our schools then why will they continue to take a two-week Christmas Vacation?

I'm sure they'll change the name to ‘Winter Vacation’ just as Christmas concerts became Winter concerts, but what will the school system do on Good Friday and Easter Monday? Will they open the schools on those days because they don't want to offend even one parent? The School Board doesn't want to offend even one parent but they have failed as I am very offended by the situation.

Due to the school board's decision to remove Christmas from our public school system it seems I have lost a line of work. Also our children are now under the belief that no Christmas in school is the norm.

In conclusion I would like to wish you a merry Christmas. I'm pleased that if you are offended by our long-standing Canadian customs that you choose not to read this letter. We live in Canada. Christmas is a Canadian custom. Let's keep it that way.

Brent Boehler

Nanaimo