'Should We Cancel 4th Of July?:' Reactions To Prom Ticket Dispute

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Necessary apology or political correctness gone too far? That has been the debate since it was reported that Cherry Hill High School East Principal Dr. Dennis Perry apologized for prom night tickets that read “party like it’s 1776.” The prom is being held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

“Do we need to cancel the 4th of July holiday now?” one reader posted in response.

This was the prevailing train of thought among those who commented in response to Perry’s apology, which recognized the phrase on the ticket as “insensitive and irresponsible.” See the full apology letter below.

“At what point do we stop behaving like oversensitive, childish babies and stop finding excuses to be offended by something," one reader commented. "If you speak anymore, someone is offended so I guess we need to abandon all verbal communication and learn sign language. ‘Party like it's 1776’ couldn't be any further from offensive or racist.”

“This is just stupid," wrote another. "Do they think that 'Party like it's 1776' also meant they wouldn't be using electricity or indoor plumbing?”

The Fourth of July was mentioned more than once, including by one person who said they were sympathetic, but believed things were getting out of hand.

“I am a very patient and sympathetic person. But this is getting way out of hand. 1776 has everything to do with the freedoms we have now and are moving towards. Therefore, it has everything to do with every color, creed, etc., we are. This was not a racial theme nor was it insensitive. It was at the Constitutional Center. It was themed to celebrate the birth of our nation. It was a BEGINNING!! We still had slavery and so did the UK; we still had indentured servants; we still had British colonists; we still didn’t have voting or land ownership rights for women, we still had child labor. From 1776 the nation went through infancy, to childhood, to the tejen years, to the twenty-somethings and we continue to change. But we all have freedoms that many other countries do not. Hey let’s get rid of the 4th of July!!!”

“So, I guess they won't be celebrating The Fourth of July anymore in Cherry Hill. "The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, right? So, I guess they'll have issue with that too. This is the biggest reach for something to be offended by, its ridiculous. The political correctness in this country is really out of control.”

Others were critical of Perry taking the time to issue an apology, including one who was critical of the attention the subject has received from the media.

“Clearly there was no intent here. Thus no apology was needed," one person wrote. "You can search for good or bad in anything. Life is unfairly too short and those dedicating their lives to demanding apologies will live an angry existence consumed with their own hate. Looking for their pound of flesh does more harm/creates more division than the benign invite. Poorly worded...sure. Worthy of the press it's getting...no way. Sad!”

“The offensive part is that the principal not only agrees with them but goes out of his way to ‘make amends,’" another wrote.

“Have we lost our collective minds? Who thinks like this?! Since when is celebrating our nation's history with the phrase, ‘Party like it's 1776’ racist? Only people with racists eyes see things that way. Do any of you remember the Bicentennial when we ALL partied like we were 200 years old? No one ever said it was insensitive back then. EVERYONE partook in the celebration. What has changed? Easy: The brainwashing in schools, the anti-American rhetoric that is preached in place of American history, the loss of pride in OUR country... I'm so disgusted right now, I can't even find words. I'm in a bit of shock after reading this principal's apology.”

Race has been a sensitive subject in the Cherry Hill Public School District, dating back to last year when Cherry Hill East removed the use of a racial slur from its production of "Ragtime," after civil rights groups protested and a parent complained. In this instance, many thought the apology was unnecessary, but at least one person understood the reasoning behind it.

“We don't relate to 1776 as derogatory because it wasn't... to whites,” one reader wrote. “To us it's just another part of American history. We can't go back and correct those times for everyone, but we sure as hell shouldn't sweep them under the rug either. Sometimes you need to TRY and put yourself in other people's shoes if only through empathy.”

One anonymous reader was offended in another way, writing: “What he should really apologize for is that fact that he doesn't seem to know his history. They are having the prom at the Constitution Center not Independence Hall, 1776 is the Declaration of Independence, 1789 is when the US Constitution was signed.”

One person even remembered that there are students getting ready for the upcoming prom that is at the heart of the matter.

“This is just ridiculous!! This country has gone off the rails! Nobody meant harm I am sure..have fun kids!!”

Read more here: ‘Party Like It’s 1776’ Prom Ticket Prompts Principal Apology

Image via Shutterstock