Christmas tree a sign of cultural diversity

The Hague Polytechnic has announced it will not put up a Christmas tree because it would contradict the institution's multicultural character. Columnist Malou van Hintum asks in the daily De Volkskrant whether the university management has completely lost its marbles: "Accepting diversity in society means making it visible, not hiding it. … We are all different, we think differently, we live differently. Give each other as much freedom and space as possible to express this. This applies especially when it comes to the festive aspects of a belief, whether you're talking about Catholic processions or the heathen Christmas tree which was so quietly incorporated into the religious festival and nowadays decorates any number of secular living rooms, classrooms and shop windows. … By not putting up a Christmas tree the University is undermining the 'international and diverse' character of the institution. This is not politically correct. It is short-sighted and narrow minded. And also terribly boring." 

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