The Austin, Texas, Independent School District declined to observe Good Friday this coming spring, opting instead to cancel classes three days prior in honor of labor leaders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. So the kids will have Tuesday, March 31st off.
Prior
to making the decision to diss Good Friday and honor Toiler Tuesday, the AISD consulted
with a group of about three dozen community members last fall. The advisory
body was comprised of folks possessing “multiple perspectives — not the
preference of a single group,” according to the school district. AISD added, “The
membership deliberately included representatives of different faiths and
cultures so varied perspectives — including Christian viewpoints — were part of
the discussion.”
AISD
also attempted to justify its decision by claiming it needed to ensure
“instructional continuity” by making sure there would not be two days of
classes canceled in the same week, adding that it has to meet a minimum of
75,600 instruction minutes each academic year, so it could not allow two days
of classes to be suspended in just a five days period.
That
is complete B.S. I would ask the school district’s leaders if they are aware of
spring break. Winter/holiday break? Does the district have two consecutive days
off for Thanksgiving?
Jesus
died on the cross for our sins and to give us a chance at eternal life, which
is what Good Friday, the most somber of religious holidays, observes and
honors. But Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Association (later the
United Farm Workers of America) and Huerta co-founded the NFWA and lobbied for politicians
to allow non–U.S. citizen migrant workers to receive public assistance and
pensions. And to provide Spanish-language voting ballots and driver's
tests. And she once coordinated a national lettuce boycott! Hard
for the Redeemer to compete with that!
Lettuce Let
us hope that the AISD revisits its decision. And redeems itself.
