‘Spineless Cowards’: MA Community Angry After School Replaces Holiday Concert With Anti-Bullying Program
With its efforts to engage in the anti-bullying phenomenon kicking up into high gear, the Jordan-Jackson Elementary School in Mansfield, Massachusetts, has stirred up some intense controversy. Officials have decided to cancel the school’s annual holiday concert and replace it with an anti-bullying event. As a result, some parents and community members are less-than-pleased, charging that the decision was made as a result of complaints over the religious nature of past holiday shows.
Despite these allegations, Mansfield Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Hodges told Fox News’ Todd Starnes that Christmas is not being shunned by the district. She also alleged that past complaints about the holiday shows’ religious tenets have nothing to do with the program’s cancellation.
“We certainly haven’t done away with Christmas in Mansfield,” she said in an interview with Starnes. “We just had a little change at that particular school because they had a big initiative on anti-bullying.”

Photo Credit: AP
Rather than enjoying a Christmas concert, students will be going through a new anti-bullying program in January — one that will take place during the week of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.
“They wanted to make the theme around peace, friendship, kindness, be good to your fellow students, and accept differences and be supportive,” Hodges said, noting that those hoping for some holiday cheer in the New Year won’t be in luck. “They are not making it a Christmas holiday. It’s about peace and friendship – not Jingle Bells.”
The obvious question some may be asking is why the district cannot hold both a holiday show and an assembly in January addressing issues pertaining to bullying. While budgets may be an issue, it’s certainly a curiosity worth exploring.
The reaction, of course, has been swift. Parents and others outraged over the break in tradition have posted their thoughts on the community’s local Patch web site. While one reader lamented the seemingly-constant need for political correctness, another dismissed the district’s leaders as “spineless cowards.”
“What is this world coming to when children cannot put on a Christmas play?,” one person asked.
Hodges told Starnes that the change was made months ago and that parents were notified about it in September. While there were purportedly no initial complaints, the superintendent said she is disappointed by some of the negative responses.
“I think our parents could take some lessons from our children sometimes – in being kind and respectful,” she proclaimed.
While the elementary school has cancelled the holiday show, Hodges said that community members are able to see programs at both the middle and high schools.
(H/T: Fox News’ Todd Starnes)
Benghazi, IRS, AP...What's next? Only TheBlaze TV offers the truth from Glenn Beck, Andrew Wilkow, and Real News from TheBlaze. Get instant access and a free trial here.
















































































































Comments (123)
ainthurtinnobody
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:52amSo maybe just like I believe it was Joseph Campbell said. Our myths are no longer working (read the morning papers). Myths are powerful but sometimes they lose their strength as people’s knowledge or understanding change.I know this may be hard for some to even consider but maybe this Christmas myth is wearing out. Santa Claus, Jesus’ birthday when historically we know it wasn’t. Myths are powerful when they remain myths but when exposed they lose some of their power. Wasn’t it Kubler-Ross who gave us the stages of death and dying. So maybe that’s why this discussion each year on Christmas raises such emotions. Maybe just maybe we’re defending a dying myth?
Report this comment
Uechi
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 10:12amYup and maybe your a friggin moron. What difference does it make if it is fact or myth if it is part of our culture? Would have us believe that somehow people are mentally scarred by Christmas? Typical lefty, atheist bull crap from an obvious pseudo intellectual Progressive. ” If it neither breaks my leg or picks my pocket” what difference is it to you or anybody else?
Report this comment
WarMunger_Al
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 10:21amThey are working hard to destroy every little piece of our culture until our lives are like sterile white boxes. It isn’t that “myths” are not working, they are being dismantled and torn asunder. It is psychological warfare. Belief is the foundation of human existence, once that is torn away there will be nothing left but mindless drones with no heart. 2/3′rds human, 1/3 empty shell.
Report this comment
scootervanneuter
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 10:56amI can only imagine the look on your face when you bow before the “myth” of Jesus Christ at the Last Judgement -
Report this comment
JRook
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 10:59am@Uechi Well you see champ…. slavery was once a part of our culture and that was changed, women staying home and not voting was a part of our culture that was changed, the peer pressure that straightened out a lot of weird kids that is now lumped under bullying was a part of our culture that is unfortunately changing, heck even respecting and defending other peoples right to express their opinions in a free and open debate was a part of our culture. Christmas is a religious tradition that was taken over by Madison Ave and cheapened to the Black Friday and excessive materialism that are the most visible aspects of its cultural representation. Perhaps the real point is that schools should not be expected to project and reinforce the commercialization of a religious tradition. Having said that a HOLIDAY concert that covers the breadth of the major religious symbols and music is far better than a anti-bullying campaign that infers that a KID telling another KID they are a moron is an erosion of our culture.
Report this comment
paperpushermj
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 11:33amSorry but you missed the whole point that Anti-Bullying was just the excuse, the cover if you will to replace faith based morality as promoted during the Christmas Season with what the Adults in charge feel are better values… secular progressive values .
______________________________________________.
.
“They wanted to make the theme around peace, friendship, kindness, be good to your fellow students, and accept differences and be supportive,” Hodges said, noting that those hoping for some holiday cheer in the New Year won’t be in luck. “They are not making it a Christmas holiday. It’s about peace and friendship – not Jingle Bells.”
Report this comment
girlnurse
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 2:19pmCommunism always has to get rid of God first before the state becomes your God. It’s NOT gonna happen.
Report this comment
Git-R-Done
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 6:28pmYou Marxists did the same thing in the Soviet Union and you couldn’t succeed at getting the “myths” eradicated. Let’s face it, you anti-Christian bigots are doomed to lose for all of eternity.
Report this comment
Git-R-Done
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 6:29pmJcrook – You Marxists support bullying and killing off rich people and Christians in order to support your Marxist “utopian” society. And your ideology is a form of slavery.
Report this comment
Terry1242
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 6:52pmThe real dogmatists are the secular humanists who increasingly control our culture. Their myth is that there is no sin and no evil, (except of course, any limits on moral choice)–that they. living their comfortable, enlightened lives, understand everything and will only bring good. Without Christ, who upended everything, we are lost. TS Eliot in his beautiful poem “The Second Coming” written during the carnage of World War I, on earth without Christ:
“When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun…”
Report this comment
Chuck Stein
Posted on December 16, 2012 at 2:16amSocieties do not become more tolerant.
Societies merely change their objects of intolerance.
Report this comment
Xiccarph
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:50amWhoooaaa! Did someone just flush the social toilet again??
Report this comment
Stelex
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:47am“MANsfield” why isn’t that gender bias. I demand they change their name to “Personsfield” to be more inclusive. How did you Progs miss that one.
Report this comment
drbage
Posted on December 16, 2012 at 8:38amBetter check with Rep. Clyburne and Toure to make sure that the word “field” is not one of those new found racial code words.
Report this comment
RedHarley
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:44amMassachusetts……..I have news for you.
You continue to vote for the kind of people who pull this crap……..you own it.
Report this comment
Cavallo
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:51amYup.. made their bed, they have to lay in it.
Report this comment
phillipwgirard
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 5:14pmYep!!!!
Report this comment
drbage
Posted on December 16, 2012 at 8:40amSuggest that they not get into a car driven by a politician who has had anything to drink.
Report this comment
Taquoshi
Posted on December 16, 2012 at 4:00pmMaybe they will be very, very lucky and Dan Savage will be there to run the anti-bullying program! Wouldn’t that be special???
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/05/dan-savage-accused-of-bullying-promoting-promiscuity/
Report this comment
HuskerDave
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:43amThe antiamericans continue to steal the language.
“Bullying” is the new code word for homophobia (defined by the left as anything that isn’t promoting and praising everything gay).
Report this comment
ranepowel
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 12:12pmIf a kid picks on another kid for being effeminate or openly gay, then that kid, the bully, deserves to be expelled from school and not allowed back into any public school system. I don’t want my tax dollars going to support some homophobic bully.
Report this comment
girlnurse
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 2:29pmRANEPOWEL: Aren’t you special? What if someone bullies a kid for being fat? OR being ugly or having a hairlip? Kids have been bullying kids since the beginning of time! Almost ALL kids get bullied at some time for some thing! And teachers SHOULD take care of bullies. But WHY pray tell are you special just because you are a sissy? Grow up and be a man!
Report this comment
TheVolleyballGod
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:36amTune in next year when the school dumps the anit-bullying gig for the It’s OK to be Gay Xmas Extravaganza!
Report this comment
RJJinGadsden
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:44amSponsored by the Queen James Bible.
Report this comment
shorelineliz
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 11:10amHay Brenda Hodges! Christmas just got BULLIED out of school! Not shunning Christmas? That is exactly what you are doing. Coal in your stocking woman! If you don’t want Christmas then you get your wish! Let’s all cancel Christmas and call it justice!
Report this comment
colonialmarine
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 2:18pmstay tuned for Big Gay Al’s Secular Extravaganza sponsored by NAMBLA, coming soon to a pre-school near you
Report this comment
DontDreamItsOver
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:34am“They wanted to make the theme around peace, friendship, kindness, be good to your fellow students, and accept differences and be supportive,” Hodges said, noting that those hoping for some holiday cheer in the New Year won’t be in luck. “They are not making it a Christmas holiday. It’s about peace and friendship – not Jingle Bells.”
Wow, that’s so true! For those who believe in Jesus would absolutely agree with you, Ms. Hodges. And why give the kids the opportunity to celebrate the birth of someone who actually embodied all those characteristics? So tolerant of you.
Report this comment
000degrees
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:44amSo you say that warm liquid that is running down my back is not urine…. ok I believe you….
Report this comment
Git-R-Done
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 6:30pmOoo – I didn’t know that celebrating Christmas was someone else urinating down your back. Quit acting you’re a poor little victim.
Report this comment
HOOT_OWL
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:33amThis godless indoctrination system that we call public education, has only one objective .
And that is to try to keep the wheels of chaos moving forward.
Satan knows his time is short .so he is keeping his puppets busy, busy, busy .
And try to blot out the memory of the true ‘reason for the season’
And try to squelch out the only ‘one true light of world ‘.
Report this comment
praxis
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:33amI can’t stand those limp wrists in academia.
Report this comment
HKS
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:29amDid they require that all democrats attend, they could use it.
Report this comment
redsred
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:28amrather than lecturing the masses on being “kind” etc., why not subject those accused and/or suspected of bullying to a lecture on normal human behavior, respect and that anti-social violence of any kind has consequences.
ooopps. i forgot. personal responsibility is not pc.
Report this comment
seek.the.truth
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:27amParents need to yank their kids out of the public school when they pull something like this. As long as people remain passive and go with the flow, school districts will continue to decide what THEY think is best for our children.
I thank God that my small school district still values Christmas traditions and respects our family values. I wish the same for every one.
Report this comment
girlnurse
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 2:36pmI would definately be the crazy lady in the school office if I lived there! Where are the outraged parents? Are they too “busy” to care?
Report this comment
seek.the.truth
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 2:59pmSince they supposedly were informed of the change in September, sounds like they were too “busy” to care until the Christmas Season was already upon them. Makes a person wonder if some of the story was omitted. How could that many parents be so oblivious?
Report this comment
TERossi
Posted on December 15, 2012 at 5:58pmYanking your children out of school is not enough. They need to move to end all funding to public schools. These Marxists should be homeless after they corrupt the youth.
Report this comment
ginger100
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:25amMaybe MA teachers should work on the 25th normal hours no overtime or holiday pay. What are the taxpayers paying for?
Report this comment
Red Meat
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:19amAssachusetts…LOL …WGAS really? That region is so far gone it’s
repugnant to even think about it.
Report this comment
DLV
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 12:06pmI live in MA and I agree with you. I’m surrounded by brain dead progressive zombies. I’m afraid I’ll be eaten like so many others.
Report this comment
scrapadapolis
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:19amAnd someone expected something different?Well then why not just not offend anyone and not go to school.Watch how fast teachers unions change their minds when parents either start home schooling.Or find a someone who can.
Report this comment
ranepowel
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 12:13pmYou’re forgetting the fact that most parents don’t WANT to teach their kids.
Report this comment
Git-R-Done
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 6:32pmRanepowel – So that justifies you Marxists supporting brainwashing kids so that they’ll grow up to support your ideology?
Report this comment
ChiefGeorge
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:18amJesus is the basis for goodwill, kindness, peace and Love towards one another. He set the example! He was the ultimate person in human history who reached out to everyone, rich, poor, tax collector, the prostitute and the religious. He was bullied everywhere he went and then tortured and murdered for his beliefs and way of life he expressed would help us all. His story is the one that should be told as it is the real one that can change the human heart.
Every other espousal from man regarding kindness, friendship, Love is not rooted in anything! Where do they derive their passion for such matters? What book? What teaching? From whom? It only comes from their own self and just because I said stance. Thats why it fails to change anything!
Report this comment
ranepowel
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 12:16pmJesus is like a 2000 year old Harry Potter. You keep believing he’s some magician, though. It’s cute.
Report this comment
girlnurse
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 2:26pmJesus did not come to bring peace.
Matthew 10:34. “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
35 “For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’;
36 “and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’
You are seeing a separation of the sheep and the goats…..He did not come to make us better people. We have SIN in us and we cannot get rid of it….but He died for that sin and He can help us to have life more abundantly but unfortunately this will be a sinful world until He comes back, which is very soon, I believe.
Report this comment
Locked
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:16am“Hodges told Starnes that the change was made months ago and that parents were notified about it in September. While there were purportedly no initial complaints, the superintendent said she is disappointed by some of the negative responses.
“I think our parents could take some lessons from our children sometimes – in being kind and respectful,” she proclaimed.
While the elementary school has cancelled the holiday show, Hodges said that community members are able to see programs at both the middle and high schools.”
Good old false outrage. No one cared when it was decided several months ago – but get a bunch of folks complaining about “The War on Christmas!!” and all of a sudden it’s a big deal come December.
Report this comment
WarMunger_Al
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 10:25amIt is because the stores didn’t have the Christmas decorations out yet. The announcement came before the cycle of festivities.
Report this comment
azcowboy1
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:14amI’m sure glad my kids are grown. My grand kids are home schooled, thank God.
jH…
Report this comment
momrules
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:13am“What in this world coming to when children cannot put on a Christmas play?”……….Answer……Hell on earth because as God is pushed out Satan fills the void..
Report this comment
TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:39amIt’s easy for the left to push God out of their lives and attempt to push it out of everyone else’s… because they have replaced God with themselves. If anyone has ever read Ann Coulter’s book. “Godless: The Church of Liberalism”… her book argues against American Liberalism, which Coulter regards as so anti-scientific and faith-based that it amounts to a “primitive religion” which she claims has “its own cosmology, its own explanation for why we are here, its own gods, and its own clergy.” Coulter asserted that “the basic tenet of Liberalism is that nature is God and men are monkeys.
The book begins with a quotation from the Bible: “They exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creation rather than the creator…. Therefore, God gave them up to passions of dishonor, for their females exchanged the natural use for that which is contrary to nature. — Romans 1:25-26″
Coulter argues that Liberalism rejects the idea of God and reviles people of faith, yet bears all the attributes of a religion itself. Coulter argued that the tenets of the liberal “church” are:
Creation myths (the theory of evolution)
Sacraments – Coulter compared abortion to “virgin sacrifice”
Holy Writ (Roe v. Wade)
Martyrs (from Alger Hiss to Mumia Abu-Jamal)
Clergy (public school teachers)
Place of worship (government schools)
Doctrine of infallibility (as manifest in the “absolute moral authority”)
Report this comment
momrules
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 10:49amYou are correct Time……….Someone here on the Blaze said they wanted Christians gone because they don’t like living under any of the rules/laws that we might stand up for. We interfere with their love of self and what they do believe in, views which usually cannot coexist with Christianity.
Report this comment
Locked
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 10:49am“Coulter argues that Liberalism rejects the idea of God and reviles people of faith, yet bears all the attributes of a religion itself.”
And she would be wrong. If you’re willing to stretch the criteria needed for a religion, then you’ll have to include groups like the Young Republicans, Boys Scouts of America, 4H Club, etc. All of those have tenets that can be shoehorned into being made “religious.”
Are they religions? Of course not. Coulter is a political pundit who sells books by being confrontational and extreme.
Report this comment
Git-R-Done
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 6:33pmLocked – You consider anybody who doesn’t accept your radical leftist agenda to be an extremist.
Report this comment
TERossi
Posted on December 15, 2012 at 11:49pmLocked is so indoctrinated…
Report this comment
progressiveslayer
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:13amThe only anti bullying program that has any value is found in the declaration of independence.
Report this comment
Steelhead
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:26amonly a conservative would get ‘angry’ over an anti-bullying program,lol
Report this comment
dosdelgados
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:26amSlayer, I would love to compile your Blaze posts and make some sort of thought-of-the-day calendar. You are spot on, as alway.
Report this comment
HOOT_OWL
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:41amSteel . Tell that to the biggest bully in the classroom..
The commie-union-public-teacher-thug.
Report this comment
RJJinGadsden
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:43amSTEELHEAD, I see that they let you out of rehab. Hmmm, only in for a month? You home for a holiday break or something? Do try to resit your urge for recidivism and take only the meds they have provided you. Merry Christmas, or in your case Happy Bullying.
Report this comment
progressiveslayer
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:54amSteelydan You’re like a gnat flying around just a minor nuisance,be gone simpleton.
Report this comment
progressiveslayer
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:56amDosdelgados Thanks I’m just doing my small part.
Report this comment
Git-R-Done
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 6:34pmSteelhead – While you support bullying fat kids, Christians, or anybody else who doesn’t support your leftist dogma.
Report this comment
HOOT_OWL
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:11amYeah a ‘anti-bully campaign’ will work so much better than…
‘Peace on earth and good will toward men’ ..!
Report this comment
ranepowel
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 12:17pmThat’s the part that comes before, “believe like we do or burn in hell.” Real classy book you got there.
Report this comment
Walkabout
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 12:48pmranepowel
Really there is a Christmas program that says that? You dreaming?
Have you been to Confirmation? Do you know how good priest handle this?
Report this comment
girlnurse
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 4:12pmRANEMAN: oPPS did I jus bully? Here is the deal: I am a Christian. I do like to spread the good news. But if you don’t want to hear it…Im good with that too! Jesus didn’t FORCE anyone to believe and nobody is forcing you to believe, He gave all of us a choice. NOBODY should ever ram Jesus down anyones throat period! But when my God is attacked, you can bet your sweet bully campaign I WILL defend Him. You see, Christians are not the ones trying to “legislate” what you are to believe. Do we have meetings saying you MUST believe in our God? No. Yet YOU lib types already have laws, rules, and meetings forced upon a captive audience of children to not only denigrate our belief in Him-but normalize your dirty beliefs that hom*’s are good and having two sodomizing daddies is good, “nobody should EVER say anything bad about sodomy,etc”. So how bout we call a truce? Okay it saddens me but no Christmas plays in school…but ONLY if there is absoluetly NO pro gay agenda or Harvey Milk day, etc. Okay?? How bout schools just teach subjects like math and english? okay? If you want to have a rearend festival with your buddies go ahead! Make your day! **** how bout you leave the little children out of the equation? Can we agree on that? If not-you are fighting a losing battle my friend and God help you. Because I (one of millions) will NEVER give up our kids to the sick NAMBLA society of dirt and filth!
Report this comment
Git-R-Done
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 6:35pmRanepowel – And you Marxists don’t support killing off people who don’t support your agenda, hypocrite? If you don’t like God’s standards for how to enter into his kingdom of heaven, then cry me a river. He has every right to decide who gets in and who doesn’t.
Report this comment
redfish52
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:09amMy child would have the flu that day…
Report this comment
Walkabout
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:08amAs a kid, if you take away the Christmas program Halloween program or an entertainment program, I would not listen to your lecture.
This doesn’t even rise to the level of mandatory fun. This is a captive audience, who will tune out a lecture by preaching, screeching adults. As ham fisted as this was done, kids are liable to bully more than ever.
Report this comment
huey6367
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:07amWant a good anti-bullying presentation? Bring the parents of the bully to school and, in front of anyone and everyone, ask them why their child is a bully and the explain to them that if he/she does not stop, this is what is going to happen.
These ‘institutions’ are becoming institutions.
Report this comment
noslave
Posted on December 14, 2012 at 9:06amnowdays like the tail wagging the dog??the few over-rule the many,just thank political corectness instituted by communists 50 years ago,to break free you just have to speak out??
Report this comment