Creche at the White House

As we are fully engaged into the holiday season, many faith traditions are engaging in their religious traditions across the nation. With these traditions come a diverse community of icons, artifacts, signs, and symbols. At the White House there are Christian Christmas symbols that are on display that include the display of the crèche. The display of the crèche at the White House has been a tradition since 1967, but with religious pluralism being a realization - its display "only" is being debated. The display of the crèche should be allowed as long as there is a respect and honor for other religious traditions within the White House as well.

As an employee of Corporate America I see many Christian Christmas decorations, trees, and lights on display across downtown and in many buildings. In my place of employment we have two 30+ ft. trees and three wreaths that have been added to the décor of our main lobby. To my surprise in one of our windows we also have the Jewish menorah in honor of Hanukkah, and the African kinara in honor of Kwanzaa. The display of all three of these holiday traditions in my place of employment gave me a sense of joy that the diversity that our corporate policy entails is not only being shown through the demographics of our employees, but also in honor of the faith traditions that are within the walls of our corporation as well.

This same type of diversity should be employed at the White House. The White House is looked upon as being the pedestal of America since the president of these United States resides there. As being the pedestal it should be sending a message of love, community, and acceptance. Since we do not just have Christians who celebrate religious traditions during this holiday season, there ought to be the display of a plethora of religious traditional symbols in the White House to acknowledge this. If Corporate America can do it…so must the White House.