This is a true Christmas story and it eerily foreshadows the current political culture of those who claim there is a war on Christmas.
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| "If you are poor, CPS will take you away and make you achieve your God-given potential." |
December 13, 2001
The Friends of the Detroit Public
Library, Inc.
5201 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48202
Dear Friends,
The 33rd annual Noel Night
at the Detroit Public Library brought back precious memories for me
as a child, listening to the yuletide chamber music and the wonderful
enthusiasm of the brought-to-life story book characters. Even the
merriment of the Klezmer student ensemble was a wonderful treat for
the children of Detroit to experience. Unfortunately, there was one
thing I did not recall as a child: purchasing the right to sit on
Santa’s lap.
This was my youngest son’s first time
in his life to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him all the toys he
wanted for Christmas. Needless to say, the excitement was
overwhelming for him when the volunteer staff announced that Santa
was ready to meet the children. My eldest son, 11, took his younger
brother by the hand and quickly scurried to be the third persons in
line to meet Santa. I stood, anxiously, at Santa’s side to hear my
children’s Christmas desires and to perpetuate the belief of Ole
Saint Nick.
My little boy jumped onto Santa’s lap
with the most lighted eyes I have seen in quite some time. My oldest
son stood by to make sure his brother did not fall off Santa’s lap.
I hovered closely over the scene, so that I may enshrine it in my
memories and pass on the stories to my grandchildren. Out of both
their mouths were holiday greetings, but Santa responded, “Where’s
your picture frame?” With dismissive smiles the boys were prepared
to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas when Santa pushed my
youngest from his lap and told the boys that they had to have
purchased a picture frame.
My oldest son stood there in shock. My
youngest attempted to climb back up into Santa’s lap, only to be
met with, “Get off, you did not buy a picture.” I do not ever
think I will be able to put into words the pain I experienced ~ but I
will try.
Close your eyes and imagine a six year
old innocent, with blood red eyes from holding back his tears, tell
his mother, “Santa is only for the rich people”. Continue seeing
this moment in your soul by envisioning an 11 year old, who,
instantaneously morphed into a young man, stoically vow to his
mother, “I will never celebrate Christmas again.”
My duty as a mother and an analyst was
to first, investigate. I was informed that the “Pictures with
Santa” was a fundraising event and the purchase of pictures was
mandatory to sit on Santa’s lap. I inquired as to why no one had
stated anything prior to the children getting in line. I asked why
there was no sign expressing this policy. I probed into the reasons
behind the economic discrimination and why there was no alternative
for parents who could not afford the 4 dollar fee (there was no
notification that this was to be a donation and no receipts for tax
purposes were provided). The replies were uniform: “Hey, we just
volunteer, here.”
The purpose of this letter is to
further research into the economic discrimination of the right to sit
on Santa’s lap. I purport it was process of weeding the children
of residents, who hail from the nation’s most impoverished major
city, to ensure a seat in Santa’s lap for the children of
prospective Detroit residents, who can contribute to the economic tax
base of the city. I will set my alternative hypothesis as poor
organization because no other organization did this.
Is this what The Friends of the Detroit
Public Library consider to be “A vision for the future”, and
“Laying the groundwork for the community”? I am, currently, not
financially able “To join your circle of friends”, but I am able
to offer my skills, knowledge, and abilities to consult for any
future fundraising activities you will have. I would like to ensure
the inclusiveness of Detroit, Public, and Library.
The Friends responded by sending two t-shirts, which were too small, and an honorary year-long membership to become a Friend of the Detroit Public Library, for whatever that meant.
Christmas is expensive and terribly painful if one is poor.
Instead of giving an empty holiday greeting or a plastic toy present which will break in a few hours, how about society gets together by giving the parents training and a job that pays a living wage, investment opportunities to start a business, access to quality and affordable housing, or simply creating the ability to feed a child healthy and nutritious food for the next year so they may finally be able to flourish in a productive learning environment?
How about stop snatching & selling kids for being poor.
How about stop snatching & selling kids for being poor.
Think twice before you attack someone who does not celebrate Christmas.
Merry Christmas
Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©
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