Holiday greetings should fit beliefs

As a Christian, it is hard for me to not greet people with a "Merry Christmas" in December.

The politically correct way to greet people around this time is "Happy Holidays," but it's still difficult not use "Merry Christmas."

Even growing up in the past few years I have seen transformations and conformity in the holiday season.

A new change this year is the Santa scandal. Santa Claus is not allowed to say "ho, ho, ho" anymore because it offends people.

Another change is the Christmas parties that I once had in elementary school have been changed to "holiday parties," and at some schools they are being taken away entirely.

The "melting pot" that was once used to describe the United States was changed to more of a "tossed salad" because, as a country, we are united under different cultures and ethnicities, and not one individual culture.

The idea of this "tossed salad" is not being understood. Having certain religious groups quiet themselves around their holidays is not allowing them to express their beliefs and practices.

Being a student in a school of more than 4,000 students, I am exposed to all kinds of diversity. In fact, it has become normal to be in a place full of students different than you. It is a great thing that so many different backgrounds can come together and be so accepting of different groups.

So, because schools and community teach acceptance and tolerance of other cultures, each group should be able to celebrate and greet people around the holidays in their own way.

Last year the world was introduced to "Chrismahanukwanzakah," and even though it pokes a little bit of fun about pleasing all groups, I would much rather say "Happy Chrismahanukwanzakah" than "Happy Holidays."

In my opinion, Chrismahanukwanzakah at least recognizes the groups a little more than "Happy Holidays," and at least gives these "anonymous" holidays half of their original name.

The holidays are normally seen as a time for giving and caring for one another, but year after year it turns into a bigger debate about what is politically correct.

Instead of fighting about what everyone should say or celebrate, everyone should accept the diversity that our country has and, at the same time, embrace their own identity with a "Merry Christmas" "Happy Hanukkah" or "Happy Kwanzaa."