(NAME-MCE) U.S. & Christian Privilege

[Blumenfeld, Warren [C I]]

U.S. & Christian Privilege

by Warren J. Blumenfeld

 

As spring peers forth from the soil and tree limbs, the annual Easter egg roll, sponsored by the President of the United States and the First Lady, thrills elementary and pre-school age children each year, a tradition dating back to 1879. Introduced by a beautiful rendition by Fergie of the Star Spangled Banner, this year, Barack and Michelle Obama invited 35,000 children representing 42 states. Also, in school classrooms throughout the country, students and their teachers dip hardboiled eggs into brightly colored dyes, and display Easter eggs of pink, yellow, blue, green, red, and lavender. An excitement wafts through the classroom as students imagine sharing their treasures with parents or caregivers, as teachers reward the good work of their charges with delicious gleaming chocolate bunnies. 

 

Many people (most likely the majority) consider these events, played out in Washington, DC and in some schools in the United States, as normal, appropriate, and joyous seasonal activities. Upon critical reflection, however, others experience them as some of the many examples of institutional (governmental and educational) (re)enforcements of dominant Christian standards and what is referred to as "Christian privilege," though presented in presumably secularized forms. They represent some of the ways in which the dominant group (in this instance, Christians) reiterates its values and practices while marginalizing and subordinating those who do not adhere to Christian faith traditions. I ask then, is this country one that truly separates religion from government? If not, how do we make it so? 

 

Warren J. Blumenfeld is co-editor of Investigating Christian Privilege and Religious Oppression in the United States, 2009, Sense Publishers

 
 
Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld
Department of Curriculum & Instruction
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-3192
Office Phone: (515) 294-5931
Office Fax:     (515) 294-6206
Home Phone: (515) 232-8230