I was very disappointed to read the column published in Thursday’s State News titled “Retailers sold out Christmas to be politically correct,” by John LaFleur (SN 11/30). While I completely understand Mr. LaFleur’s frustration with the holy day of Christmas becoming commercialized, I don’t understand his need to blame other religious holidays at the same time of year for the increase in commercialism.

There is no need to bash Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Winter Solstice. Jews had been celebrating Hanukkah hundreds of years before Jesus walked the Earth. And yes, to the Jewish people, Hanukkah is a minor holiday, but one that commemorates freedom, dedication, resolve and faith in God - hardly trivial concepts to our people.

In the United States, commercialism has hit our holiday as well. We could make the same arguments that LaFleur makes about retailers’ financial windfalls at the expense of the more serious reasons for commemorating Hanukkah.

Ultimately, however, what Jews, African Americans, pagans or anyone else does during the winter months should have no impact on the sanctity of Christmas for Christians.

Cindy Hughey
executive director, Hillel Jewish Student Center