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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to find this nativity play offensive

137 replies

soggy14 · 08/12/2010 15:23

Have just been to dss nativity. It was called something like "Merry Christmas from around the world" and had the Christmas story told with breaks whilst kids dressed as being from different countries came adn danced and said "Merry Christmas". I found ti offensive - in particular they had children from "Africa" all with tribal war paint on their faces doing what looked like a rain dance, also lots of Indians in saris saying Merry Christmas, and for America they had kids dressed as cowboys and Indians. It was rounded off with a song about the fact that in every tribe across the world people were celebrating Christmas. Am interested to know what anyone else would think?

OP posts:
AbsofLatkes · 08/12/2010 15:44

As an "African" I would be a bit annoyed about the whole "Africa as one country" misconception that is repeatedly played out across all time. And I would be a bit annoyed that it is assumed that every tribe in the world celebrates xmas (as it's patently untrue) but as it's a play for school children, presumably youngish ones, I wouldn't be offended.

Original poster
soggy14 · 08/12/2010 15:51

Santa I'm not suggesting that only white people celebrate Christmas :) just that having a load of kids wearing tribal war paint doesn't really sum up the vast diversity that is Africa to me :). My point was more the stereotypes though - many of the people around here are very rascist - so maybe that came across with the choice of costumes.

OP posts:
Original poster
soggy14 · 08/12/2010 15:54

And yes I was actually offended despite being white British which, given that it usually takes quite a lot to offend me, was why I was surprised by my reaction and so am posting here. There is a line, I guess, and I think that somethign about teh way in which this was done crossed it.

OP posts:
izzywizzywoowooo · 08/12/2010 15:56

Why does it offend you exactly?

It was just a harmless nativity play but as they say there's always one...Sorry but IMO YABU.

PuppyMonkey · 08/12/2010 15:58

PMSL at the idea of random cowboys and Indians singing: We wish you a Merry Christmas. Sounds bleddy hilarious.

scurryfunge · 08/12/2010 15:58

Sounds like a massive fail by the school in an attempt to be inclusive - I'd have been embarrassed rather than offended on the teacher's behalf.

LaWeaselMys · 08/12/2010 16:04

Acctually, I am leaning toward YANBU.

In a racist area it is more important that the staff put a lot of thought into cultural awareness type stuff. This play isn't going to have made anybody think about anything differently.

We did Christmas around the world when I was at primary school and I dimly recall there being bits talking about Jamaican Ginger cake and babushku (sp?). Which was informative enough that I still remember 15yrs later.

Original poster
soggy14 · 08/12/2010 16:06

izzy I'm not sure - I simply felt offended Confused I tried to work out why and I think that it was because I kept thinking that there are whole countries in Africa where there are massive differences in how life is within those individual countries and yet they were implying that the whole continant could be summed up with one very outdated steryotype. Also the Indian dressed children were all in traditional hindu costumes but then saying Merry Christmas - I wondered how I'd have felt if I went to a play in India where they mocked up a traditional obviously Christian scene and then said Happy Diwali or Happy Ramadan. Finally cowboys and Indians seemed an episode of American history that isn't really somethign to celebrate or treat in any kind of light hearted fashion. A bit like having kids dressed as the Hilter Youth saying Happy Christmas from Germany.

OP posts:
MrManager · 08/12/2010 16:12

soggy14 sure, the Hitler Youth were to Germany as Hindus are India. Perfect example.

hairyfairylights · 08/12/2010 16:14

YABU. What exactly was offensive about it?

prettyfly1 · 08/12/2010 16:16
Biscuit
GrimmaTheNome · 08/12/2010 16:18

MrManager, the Hitler Youth comparison was to 'cowboys and indians'. When you consider the decimation and maltreatmentof the Native americans, its not so very far off the mark.

narkypuffin · 08/12/2010 16:20

Godwin

ChippingIn · 08/12/2010 16:20

I swear some people could be offended in a dark room by themselves.

It wasn't intended to sum up the vast diversity that is Africa it was an attempt to do a nativity that all children could take part in... sure they used some stereotypes, but it's not the end of the world. It really is no wonder that some schools have just stopped doing them. Far too many whinging parents.

london · 08/12/2010 16:21

I think the OP has said what she found offensive - the stereotyping, the lack of accuracy in presenting people in from other countries (and this is a school), the assumption (again inaccurate) that everyone celebrates Christmas. I don't know understand how anyone doesn't find that offensive.

mogwhistle · 08/12/2010 16:21

YABU

Rudolphsnose · 08/12/2010 16:21

We had the same play this year. The only thing I found offensive was how tedious it was. The last 3 have been lovely and fun, this was just tiresome. Our countries were Ireland Poland USA China Malawi and Australia btw.

TaperJeanGirl · 08/12/2010 16:22

I dont think I would have found it offensive, tbh I would just have concentrated on watching my dd/ds and not really on the content Blush

My dds nursery did a nativity play when she was 3, she got to be mary (she is white, and has straight blonde hair) her buddy was joseph (he is black) 'jesus' was a mixed race baby doll, all was going well, till right in the middle of the play my dd pipes up "mum, mum, muuuuuuuuum, muuummmmyyyyy, this isnt MY baby, it cant be" Im dying a death in the audience, when she finishes with "it cant be MINE cos it has curly hair" Grin

mogwhistle · 08/12/2010 16:23

Very good point ChippingIn Maybe we should just ban Christmas (some councils already have after all) and just be done with it.

madwomanintheattic · 08/12/2010 16:24

we live in the wild west lol (tumbleweed and all) and my dd1 (10) branded her first calf this summer Grin wearing a cowboy hat, whilst real live cowboys lassooed the next calves around her. every festival we go to features native dancers in feathers and a chief parading, display of drumming etc.

just thought i'd mention it. Grin there really are cowboys and (urk) 'indians' out there still y'know. we live deep in ranch country and there are reservations everywhere. it ain't chicago or nyc, but it's still a cultural heritage that is lived and celebrated.

i loathe stereotypes, but i happen to be living in one Grin

madwomanintheattic · 08/12/2010 16:31

prairie oyster, anyone? they're a bit chewier than mince pies...

LaWeaselMys · 08/12/2010 16:34

migwhistle don't be a muppet. NO council has banned Christmas.

LaWeaselMys · 08/12/2010 16:35

Mog not mig (damn autocorrect)

mogwhistle · 08/12/2010 16:48

There is some council that has banned the term Christmas to be used and instead uses the term "wintervill" to avoid potential upset to non-christians. Sorry can't remember which one (down south i think)

mogwhistle · 08/12/2010 16:50

Btw quite like Migwhistle may adopt that one next time I feel like a name-change Xmas Grin