Upon noticing that the food and plates were in a different location than usual when I entered Richmond dining hall Wednesday night, I asked the person swiping my card if it was "holiday dinner night." "Christmas dinner night," came the reply, to which I thought, "Why can't the dinner represent more than one holiday?" Christmas was still two weeks away, and as a friend pointed out, Wednesday evening marked the second night of Hanukkah.
Walking into the dining area, I noticed a large Christmas tree prominently displayed on a central table, around which were two long tables filled with food. Almost all of the student employees were dressed as elves and wearing Santa hats. It was a sight to be appreciated - as long as you celebrate Christmas. Appearing as if it were an afterthought, a small table in the corner of the dining hall held a menorah and a Star of David.
Why are only symbols of one specific holiday prominently displayed at the forefront? Other holidays are just as important as those traditionally celebrated in the United States.
One of the great advantages of coming to a large school such as UB is the opportunity to learn about cultures and beliefs with which we are unfamiliar. Although I believe that the university has done a great job promoting cultural awareness, better planning could create an atmosphere in which all students feel included.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
