Please spread the word --
Tyson Foods has eliminated the paid Labor Day holiday and replaced it with a Muslim holiday. This is a copyrighted page from WSMV Nashville / Shelbyville, TN, so I am having to publish the link instead of the article's text. I find this quite appalling!
http://www.wsmv.com/news/17063986/detail.html#-
From the moment I saw this I knew it'd be prime fodder for all the right wing radio hosts/websites.
I don't see the big deal here.
There are a lot of Muslim workers at said plant (700 out of 1200 total workers). The union and plant agreed to it.
It's not really my concern what the union and plant agree to.
There are many different religions represented in this country. We need to do more to accommodate our differences.
quote:
Originally posted by TheTed
From the moment I saw this I knew it'd be prime fodder for all the right wing radio hosts/websites.
I don't see the big deal here.
There are a lot of Muslim workers at said plant (700 out of 1200 total workers). The union and plant agreed to it.
It's not really my concern what the union and plant agree to.
There are many different religions represented in this country. We need to do more to accommodate our differences.
I might understand exchanging religious holidays, say Christmas or Good Friday for a Muslim day but not something so secular as Labor Day. For a Labor Union to get rid of a day celebrating American Labor doesn't make sense. What's next? Trade the 4th of July for a Buddhist holiday? How about Memorial Day for a Jewish holiday. Martin Luther King Day for a Native American belief. I sure this forum can arrive at some more equally divisive substitutions. Some holidays are a part of our culture. What is happening to the American melting pot? Are we becoming the Disunited Cultures of North America?
quote:
Originally posted by Red Arrow
QuoteOriginally posted by TheTed
Are we becoming the Disunited Cultures of North America?
Becoming?
America has *always* been a nation of varying cultures. To assume that we ever were just one culture is presumptuous and just plain incorrect.
If you don't believe me, ask the Indians.
Why did they not just add another holiday? Or do like some companies do, and declare a "diversity day" like some large companies? This would enable the employees to take the day of their choice.
I really don't think they would be open to this if it happened to them in their country. It seems like we just bend farther and farther over to appease this group. I also believe the further we bend over to accommodate them, the more divisive the issue becomes.
quote:
Originally posted by rwarn17588
quote:
Originally posted by Red Arrow
QuoteOriginally posted by TheTed
Are we becoming the Disunited Cultures of North America?
Becoming?
America has *always* been a nation of varying cultures. To assume that we ever were just one culture is presumptuous and just plain incorrect.
If you don't believe me, ask the Indians.
I am aware that not everyone has become part of the melting pot. I am aware too that "our culture" is made of many, see "melting pot". Hopefully most US citizens think of themselves as (United States of) Americans first and allow their ancestory be a proud part of the past. A past not to be forgotten, just not the prime mover of their daily existance.
quote:
Originally posted by Red Arrow
What's next? Trade the 4th of July for a Buddhist holiday? How about Memorial Day for a Jewish holiday. Martin Luther King Day for a Native American belief.
Cats and dogs, living together! Mass Hysteria!
quote:
Originally posted by Red Arrow
Quote
I am aware that not everyone has become part of the melting pot. I am aware too that "our culture" is made of many, see "melting pot". Hopefully most US citizens think of themselves as (United States of) Americans first and allow their ancestory be a proud part of the past. A past not to be forgotten, just not the prime mover of their daily existance.
You're tripping over your contradictions.
You honestly expect anyone to just throw away their religious beliefs with both hands once they enter this country?
Funny ... I didn't see the Irish and Italians tossing away their Catholic faith when they emigrated here in the 19th century. I don't expect them to, either.
You want immigrants' "past not to be forgotten, just not the prime mover of their daily existance {sic)." That's a given when you come to America, which is a more secular society.
It's apparent you want only certain people to be part of the melting pot (whatever that is) but not everyone, which would pretty much no longer make it a melting pot.
Did it ever occur to you that a "melting pot" culture would expect longtime Americans to partially meld with the newcomers' culture as well? It seems to me that's exactly what Tyson is trying to do.
So, I'm not sure what you're complaining about.
quote:
Originally posted by rwarn17588
quote:
Originally posted by Red Arrow
Quote
I am aware that not everyone has become part of the melting pot. I am aware too that "our culture" is made of many, see "melting pot". Hopefully most US citizens think of themselves as (United States of) Americans first and allow their ancestory be a proud part of the past. A past not to be forgotten, just not the prime mover of their daily existance.
You're tripping over your contradictions. Wouldn't be the first time.
You honestly expect anyone to just throw away their religious beliefs with both hands once they enter this country? No, but I don't want them throwing it in my face either. I didn't see the Vietnamese (sp?) and other orientals demanding we adhere to their customs. I'm sure there are areas in the US were this has happened however due to the local population. For the most part they became "American".
Funny ... I didn't see the Irish and Italians tossing away their Catholic faith when they emigrated here in the 19th century. I don't expect them to, either. They met with plenty of discrimination because of it. Not the correct thing to do. They probably had it easier than the Muslims since they were still "Christian". The Irish and Italians and Poles, Spanish, French and many others became Americans first, Catholics second. I believe that is the difference. Ok, a lot of people celebrate St Patrick's day. More US Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo than Mexicans (according to a Hispanic friend). The difference is that they are not asking to trash a celebration of something especially (US) American for something from the "old country"
You want immigrants' "past not to be forgotten, just not the prime mover of their daily existance {sic)."I am soooo glad you called attention to my spelling error. If I called attention to all the grammar errors I have seen on this forum, I could have 5 stars next to my name too. That's a given when you come to America, which is a more secular society.
It's apparent you want only certain people to be part of the melting pot (whatever that is) but not everyone, which would pretty much no longer make it a melting pot. Faulty assumption on your part.
Did it ever occur to you that a "melting pot" culture would expect longtime Americans to partially meld with the newcomers' culture as well? It seems to me that's exactly what Tyson is trying to do. I expect newcomers to bend a bit more than the existing population. You imply this same thought when you state that longtime Americans partially meldwith the newcomers.
So, I'm not sure what you're complaining about. I think what offends me is that "they" are taking a traditional "American" secular holiday and trashing it for a religious holiday. "They" are throwing their religion in our face. I don't care for that whatever the religion, including Christians. Christmas has become more of a secular holiday in the US (much to the disappointment of Christian fundamentalists, also a slight contradiction to an earlier statement about religious holidays)so I don't particularily consider it a religious holiday. It is more of a spending season for Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza (sp?) and maybe more. I think many places do not get Good Friday and Easter Monday as paid holidays anymore. When I was a kid, Spring Break was "Easter Vacation". Not so anymore and rightly so. So what "they" are saying to me is "America Stuff It". That's what I don't like. /red]
edit: tried to make the red text show as red in the last paragraph
edit 2: it didn't work. Start at the 2nd sentence.
quote:
Originally posted by we vs us
quote:
Originally posted by Red Arrow
What's next? Trade the 4th of July for a Buddhist holiday? How about Memorial Day for a Jewish holiday. Martin Luther King Day for a Native American belief.
Cats and dogs, living together! Mass Hysteria!
We have 3 dogs and a cat living in our house. They do fine. Better than many humans. My attempted point is that some of our holidays are distinctly American. They should be part of your new life if you are a newcomer. If you would rather celebrate something else, why do you want to live here? (That should generate some responses.)
Tyson Foods are a bunch of terrorist!
Yeah, well don't buy Tyson's chicken nuggets and certainly don't buy anything from Little Debbie. Buncha crazy Seventh Day Adventists those folks at McKee Foods are. They don't let anyone work in their plant on the Sabbath.
If the majority of workers were Muslim (anyone else think that's an odd concentration to be working in a slaughter plant in Tenn.?) they should have asked for their religious holiday, and Tyson should have allowed for Labor Day in addition.
Now they've got a PR problem with every xenophobic red neck in the country. It's the Obamatizing of America. [}:)]
quote:
Originally posted by Conan71
If the majority of workers were Muslim (anyone else think that's an odd concentration to be working in a slaughter plant in Tenn.?)
I don't think 700 Muslims live in the entire state of Tennessee, much less working at a Tyson factory.
But who am I to question demographics?
Mike Tyson is a Muslim, isn't he?
Hey, bite your tongue Red Arrow[:D] No one is taking Christmas day from me. Good Friday is not a national holiday.
So we won't have a Labour Day, but instead a Muslim holiday? It's still a holiday, so who cares? But why can't they give another day as a holiday?
The Puerto Ricans have it made. They have their holidays + ours, so they have lots of fiesta time[:D]
Yep as more & more Muslims flood in our culture will change. Slowly at first, then more faster.
quote:
Originally posted by sauerkraut
Slowly at first, then more faster.
If so, I'd hope they would know their grammar better than their critics.
I want to trade Earth Day for St. Patricks Day.
There are 6 billion earthlings and only a small percentage of them are Irish.
quote:
Originally posted by sauerkraut
Yep as more & more Muslims flood in our culture will change. Slowly at first, then more faster.
I'd like to propose a mad lib contest. In the sentence below, please fill in the blanks to create fun and excitement for the whole family!
"As more and more ___________ flood in, our ________ will change. Slowly at first, then more faster."
I'd like to propose, "As more and more
jellyfish flood in, our
beaches will change. Slowly at first, then more faster."
quote:
Originally posted by RecycleMichael
I want to trade Earth Day for St. Patricks Day.
There are 6 billion earthlings and only a small percentage of them are Irish.
Racist!
Some holidays are off limits like MLK Day. The trading of Hoildays can have some good points too.
(http://onwhoseauthority.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/flying-spaghetti-monster.jpg)
"As more and more pastafarians flood in, our grocery stores will change. Slowly at first, then more faster."
Arrrgh!
quote:
Originally posted by deinstein
quote:
Originally posted by RecycleMichael
I want to trade Earth Day for St. Patricks Day.
There are 6 billion earthlings and only a small percentage of them are Irish.
Racist!
I'm Irish. Does that matter?
quote:
Originally posted by sauerkraut
Some holidays are off limits like MLK Day.
What makes you think any particular holiday would be more off limits than another? (I am NOT picking on MLK Day.)
quote:
Originally posted by Conan71
Yeah, well don't buy Tyson's chicken nuggets and certainly don't buy anything from Little Debbie. Buncha crazy Seventh Day Adventists those folks at McKee Foods are. They don't let anyone work in their plant on the Sabbath.
If the majority of workers were Muslim (anyone else think that's an odd concentration to be working in a slaughter plant in Tenn.?) they should have asked for their religious holiday, and Tyson should have allowed for Labor Day in addition.
Now they've got a PR problem with every xenophobic red neck in the country. It's the Obamatizing of America. [}:)]
Down with Quaker Oats!
The majority of the employees voted to make the swap and put the language in their new contract.
So, what's the big deal?
They voted and the majority won. How democratic.
quote:
Originally posted by sauerkraut
Some holidays are off limits like MLK Day. The trading of Hoildays can have some good points too.
Really? I've never gotten MLK off, but I do get off for No-Labor day, Memorial Day, etc.
Honestly, I am more concerned about the Conservative Christians trying to change the name of the Halloween holiday to Harvest holiday.
The two secular holidays that I enjoy most are the 4th of July and Halloween.
Halloween is fun but Harvest sounds like a bunch of work.
The best solution is to outlaw all these religious holidays and just have secular holidays.
Anyway, Muslim does not equal Islamic Terrorist. Christian does not equal Klansman.
Most religions have their fanatical extremists but the scariest of them all is the Fundamentalists.
quote:
Originally posted by santalar
Honestly, I am more concerned about the Conservative Christians trying to change the name of the Halloween holiday to Harvest holiday.
The two secular holidays that I enjoy most are the 4th of July and Halloween.
Halloween is fun but Harvest sounds like a bunch of work.
The best solution is to outlaw all these religious holidays and just have secular holidays.
Anyway, Muslim does not equal Islamic Terrorist. Christian does not equal Klansman.
Most religions have their fanatical extremists but the scariest of them all is the Fundamentalists.
Halloween is one of those "holidays" that are not really holidays, I don't know any company that gives workers that day off. Even banks are open that day. (In banks most bank workers dress up for Halloween). I think we have too many needless holidays. I'd like to get rid of Presidents Day, Columbus, Day and a few holidays like that. Some holidays are just for banks and post office workers and everyone in the private work force normally has to work.
quote:
Originally posted by sauerkraut
Halloween is one of those "holidays" that are not really holidays, I don't know any company that gives workers that day off. Even banks are open that day. (In banks most bank workers dress up for Halloween). I think we have too many needless holidays. I'd like to get rid of Presidents Day, Columbus, Day and a few holidays like that. Some holidays are just for banks and post office workers and everyone in the private work force normally has to work.
Wow. You're cranky.
Actually, this agreement is a great way for Tyson to backhandedly insult unions while simultaneously pimping diversity... the great part is, the rednecks will hate the muslims for stealing "their" holiday...
Kinda of a win-win for union bashing Tyson, if you ask me...
It's not Tyson doing this, it's all the fault of the unions........ and Barack Obama... and the union-hating rednecks will fall for it... kinda like this...
http://stuckon-stupid.com/2008/08/02/union-that-endorses-obama-forces-tysonto-drop-labor-day-for-a-muslim-holiday/
...The press release stated there are approximatly 700 Muslims working at Tyson, but Gary Mickelson Tyson's Director of Media Relations, said that Somalis only represent approximately 250 of the 1,200 employed at the plant, a little over 20 percent of the workforce.
Times Gazette
http://www.t-g.com/story/1449487.html
After a lot of outside pressure (and some worker complaints), Tyson agreed to include Labor Day as a holiday, plus keep the Muslim holiday, which is great for the workers, because this caused them to get an extra holiday for the year.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080808/ap_on_bi_ge/tyson_labor_day
With that said, I would like all of you to complain and put pressure on my employer that we don't get the following holidays in our contract:
Presidents Day
Columbus Day
Ground Hog Day
Flag Day
Halloween
I'll try to think of some others.
Thanks in advance!
I read that the workers had to work Labor Day anyhow most years. They got overtime pay for doing so.
Talk like a pirate day...September 19th
Blame someone else day...August 13th
My bucket's got a hole in it day...May 30th
Here is one for you Wilbur...the first friday in June is National Donut Day.