A new era begins

Our recent, historic election ushers in a new era for our country.

Something many folks, and especially blacks, said could never happen did happen: a black man was elected president of the United States.

Many blacks here in Baton Rouge have said they didn’t think they would live to see it in their lifetime, yet they did. We have come a long way, and now every child in this great country can dream anything they want. They realize it is truly possible in America, and that there are no excuses not to.

I personally didn’t vote for Barack Obama because I happen to disagree with him on some issues. But he won the election, and he is our president. I want to see him succeed, and I think we should all support him and give him a chance to lead.

While the country took a bold step forward, I think Baton Rouge missed a precious opportunity to progress when it failed to pass the mayor’s bond proposal.

Too many people found reasons to say “no” (although it was a close vote), rather than taking a risk worth taking. Unfortunately, the status quo still has the edge here.

But I hope the mayor won’t lose heart, and will stick to his vision for a better Baton Rouge and come back and try again.

We need to overcome those short-sighted people who are still stuck in the 20th century and want to freeze time. In some cases, some people just didn’t understand the full ramifications and impact of the bond proposal until the day after the election. For the sake of our city’s future and its young people, Baton Rouge needs to continue to evolve.

Merry Christmas

I use this column to express ideas and opinions, and I welcome yours. That’s why we have a letters page, and we take fair criticism publicly.

But I have to say I am getting tired of how political correctness is diluting Christmas, and how unreasonable sensitivities are diluting the tradition as it exists in our culture to the point that I feel political correctness is encroaching on my personal faith and traditions.

I grew up hearing “Merry Christmas!” not “happy holidays!” Are you getting a Christmas tree or a holiday tree? Give me a break. This absurd notion that we shouldn’t be overtly religious and mention Christ needs to go. For the past several years it seems a growing number of people have tried to remove “Christ” from Christmas, and to them the phrase “Merry Christmas” has grown unacceptable.

I’m sorry, but “season’s greetings!” just doesn’t say it for me. It’s ridiculous, and in a way it insinuates that my use of the term “Merry Christmas!” is offensive to others.

For me, this time of the year has always been about celebrating Christmas. I am a Christian, and we celebrate Christ’s birth. It’s no different than my Jewish friends celebrating Hanukkah, or wishing a Happy Hanukkah to someone else. I wouldn’t expect them to change what they say for my sake, or to refrain from wishing others “Happy Hanukkah.” Their greeting simply doesn’t offend me.

So rather than fret over how to phrase our well wishes, I want to live in a society where we can say it like we mean it, and where it’s understood that by saying “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hanukkah” we are expressing a respectful and good wish.

One final thought: as parents we want our children to enjoy fantastic Christmases and Hanukkahs, so let’s not worry about our children being disappointed if gifts aren’t over-flowing under the tree. The true love that you and I show our children is more important than anything else we can give them.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2008 in pictures

This month’s cover package takes a look at Baton Rouge through the camera lenses of readers, amateur shutterbugs and professional photographers. We asked you to submit your favorite photos of life in and around Baton Rouge in 2008, and selected our favorites from hundreds of submissions. We feature winners of our photo contest, as well as many others that caught or eye and capture life in the 225. Check them out for yourself here.

Party Time

If you’re planning an office party anytime soon you’ll want to check out Projectofficeparty.com, an online resource for office parties and the people who plan them. My friend Nicole David who heads up the Baton Rouge Area Chamber’s Canvas workshop series has put a fresh face on traditional office events designed to make any party or event a memorable experience. You can’t hire Nicole but you can get some great ideas and concepts to make your next party entertaining and fun.

Fame need not be fleeting

One of the more popular cover stories we’ve published in 225 was “Gotcha!”, our spread featuring 225 readers hobnobbing with celebrities. Starting in January we’ll start featuring new photos of our readers posing with celebrities in every issue, so we want your celebrity snapshots. E-mail your favorite new moment of fame to [email protected].