BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – From now on, the city of Bloomington will refer to two paid holidays differently in an effort to respect differing cultures.
The city will be calling Columbus Day “Fall Holiday” and Good Friday “Spring Holiday.”
It is a decision that will only affect the calendars of 700 city of Bloomington employees and is now the talk of the town.
“I think that it is a courteous and respectful thing to do for various populations,” said Bloomington resident Emily Nehus.
“Columbus Day…why change Columbus Day?,” said another resident Mike Carson.
The reason? Mayor John Hamilton said the names will “better reflect cultural sensitivity in the workplace.” The decision comes after some pushback from people who opposed the city posting closing signs referencing these holidays on the front doors of Bloomington City Hall.
“As a mayor we are in charge of government. We do not set religious policies, we are not supposed to be part of religion and we are just trying to make sure that our government is open to all people and inclusive,” said Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton.
Columbus Day was established to celebrate Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the “new world.” Good Friday, part of Christians’ celebration of Easter, commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is traditionally a day of fasting and penance. The City of Bloomington wants everyone to continue to celebrate those holidays as they see fit. City officials say the only major change will be on the calendar.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
And people still wonder why Trump won?
F**ng idiots. Those holidays celebrate what they celebrate. Perhaps we should teach the kids that Christopher "Fall" set sail in 1492?
Why stop there?
MLK Day - well that is ok for obvious reasons
Groundhog Day - frivolous, get rid of it
Valentines Day - get rid of it, makes people without a significant other feel bad
Presidents Day - gone, nothing but white racist old men
Ash Wednesday - gone, too religious
St Patty Day - get rid of it, only for drinkers, not enough inclusive events for non drinkers
Good Friday, Palm Sunday, Easter - gone for obvious reasons
Mothers Day - being considered for deletion, may hurt the feelings of those without
Memorial Day - gone, too militaristic, too patriotic
Flag Day - gone, see above
Independence Day - oh, way gone, way overdue for deletion, nothing but a white racist country anyhow
Labor Day - considered ok, to remember those who used to work
United Nations Day - obviously ok, federal holiday
Halloween - being replaced by "go see your dentist day"
Election Day - being replaced by Election Month
Veterans Day - will be deleted once last WWII vet dies off
Thanksgiving - being considered for deletion, represents repression of Native Americans
Pearl Harbor Day - gone, represents war and domination of one nation over another
Hanukkah - fine, stays on the calendar
Christmas - gone, obvious reasons
So, this is about what a local government names two days on its calendar?
I totally get the Columbus Day backlash, always have. A debate worth having, IMO.
Good Friday, of course, is a Christian holiday and has been a source of some litigation in the past. It's a legal holiday in quite a few states, I've found the separation of church-and-state issue here interesting as well.
Election Day - being replaced by Election Month
This is actually a good idea. 
So, this is about what a local government names two days on its calendar?
I totally get the Columbus Day backlash, always have. A debate worth having, IMO.
Good Friday, of course, is a Christian holiday and has been a source of some litigation in the past. It's a legal holiday in quite a few states, I've found the separation of church-and-state issue here interesting as well.
I agree with you. If they said they were abolishing the holidays I can accept that; I can welcome the debate. But you don't get the holiday for no reason; can't have it both ways. Columbus did not discover the New World and he was merciless to the natives. But that is what the holiday is for
The holidays that should exist are the ones God gave to people start with that.
As to the rest of them, why change the names at all? Why are some people angry at Columbus? Were the slaves already here? I thought it was only the Native Americans that were living here. I also heard Amerigo Vespucci is the one who actually discovered America for the Europeans.
I agree with doing away with honoring All Hallow's Eve, people can have a national 'Candy Day' if they want to, but giving any celebration to the dark side on that day, is very pagan.
As to Christmas - teach people the truth, that it is a Roman Catholic holiday, and let it be observed as such, the same as Diwali for the Hindus, or other holidays that different sectarian religions have. Start telling the truth about Easter, which originates from worshipping the goddess Ishtar.
Recognize Muslim holidays.
Stop complaining that the Jews have holidays and understand and teach people the meaning of Hannukah, Passover, the feast of Unleavened Bread etc.
Allow a NATIONAL day of atonement, that coincides with Yom Kippur, since the Jews were the first ones given a day of atonement and observed it, recognize that and adhere to it.
WHY is anyone complaining about historical holidays?
[Edited on 11/25/2016 by gina]
I agree with doing away with honoring All Hallow's Eve, people can have a national 'Candy Day' if they want to,
WHY is anyone complaining about historical holidays?
Funny that you asked why anyone would complain about a holiday right after saying that we should get rid of Halloween.
No one is forced to "celebrate" any Holiday.
Some on the left are determined to engineer society to fit their narrow minded, we know better agenda.
On Good Friday Christians choose to go to church and will pray because they want to. Anyone who chooses not to has also made their choice.
