Archive > 2005 > Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec

March 2005 · Readings · Previous · Next   PDF

Warts and all

From “Working Guidelines Related to Holidays and Celebrations,” a memo written in September for school administrators and teachers in the Puyallap School District in Washington. Last year all Halloween celebrations in the school district were canceled, and “decorations that include images of witches, pointed hats, black cats, or other similar decorations . . . intended to frighten or scare individuals” were banned.

Use of derogatory stereotypes is prohibited, such as the traditional image of a witch, which is offensive to members of the Wiccan religion. The Wiccan (otherwise known as “witches”) religion is a bona fide religion under the law, and its followers are entitled to all the protections afforded more mainstream religions. The popular celebration of Halloween in the more mainstream culture provides a variety of negative stereotypical ideas and images of witches that can be offensive to the Wiccan community. Building administrators should not tolerate such inappropriate stereotyping (images such as witches on flying brooms, stirring cauldrons, casting spells, or with long noses and pointed hats) and instead address them as you would hurtful stereotypes of any other minority.

17

SEE ALSO: Exercises and recreations; Halloween; Schools; Washington (State); Witches

Previous · Next