Gather 'round the holiday tree. Get ready to grin and bear the office seasonal festival -- the politically correct holiday season is here again.
Though holiday symbols like Christmas trees, menorahs and nativity scenes are as ubiquitous to Americans as the golden arches, such symbols are becoming increasingly controversial as America becomes more culturally sensitive.
Churchgoers in Denver sang protest songs Friday, in response to a policy that bars religious themes in the city's ironically-named Parade of Lights.
These weren't your normal protest songs, though -- the protesters voiced their dissent through renditions of "Silent Night" and "Joy to the World."
The University of Memphis has also been affected by increasing political correctness concerning the holidays.
"We used to be able to do a lot of things on campus," said Jay Andersen, University Center director.
Andersen recalled decorated trees, strands of lights and red and green lights in the campus fountain. But no more.
Andersen said efforts to invite varied religious groups to participate in the holiday displays failed to make everyone happy.
"My feelings have always been 'let's pull all these things out of the closet,'" Andersen said. "(but) all it takes is one complaint, it seems."
Andersen said he learned of a directive Tuesday barring certain holiday décor while helping a student file a petition asking for more University decorations.
However, neither Dean of Students William Porter nor Vice President of Student Affairs Rosie Bingham were aware of such a directive.
They were likewise unable to explain why the quantity of decorations on campus has decreased.
Bingham noted that most students will be gone for much of December, which would make spending money on decorations even more suspect.Porter said people may be making too much of the political correctness concerning the holidays.
"I think most people agree Christmas has become very secular," Porter said, citing the commercialization of the holidays.
However, Bingham herself, who Tuesday was wearing a decorative gold tree on her lapel, now hosts what she calls a staff holiday celebration, so all employees will feel encouraged to participate.
Education major Stephanie Suell said she can understand the controversy over Christmas and the holidays in elementary schools, but not in places like college universities.
"We have our own political views. People aren't going to be able to change them," she said.
Suell, who works in the Administration Building, noted that there are many decorations inside. Indeed, many doors were wrapped like gifts and Bingham's office featured a poinsettia.
Macy's and its Federated Department Stores came under fire last month for dropping "Merry Christmas" from its advertising and in-store greetings.
"It's the height of hypocrisy for a corporation to make tens of millions of dollars selling Christmas presents, yet coldly refuse to acknowledge Christmas," said Manuel Zamorano, chairman of the Committee to Save Merry Christmas, in a statement.
"Politically correct phrases like 'Seasons Greetings' and 'Happy Holidays' are no substitute for the real thing," Zamorano said.California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger caused a stir Thursday, when he referred to the tree used in a tree lighting ceremony as a Christmas tree.
Former governor Gray Davis had referred to it as a holiday tree, and Schwarzenegger did the same last year.
However, Schwarzenegger made a vow in May at the funeral of California Senator William Knight that he would henceforth refer to it as a Christmas tree. Knight had fought unsuccessfully for legislation deeming the evergreen a Christmas tree.
