Children of the National Guard are prohibited from submitting religious Easter egg designs for the 2024 "Celebrating National Guard Families" art event at the White House.
The art contest is part of the White House’s Easter traditions, which include the annual Easter Egg Roll. The flyer for the contest states that an Easter egg design submission "must not include any questionable content, religious symbols, overtly religious themes, or partisan political statements."
"As part of the White House Easter traditions, America’s Egg Farmers – for nearly 50 years – have proudly presented an intricately decorated Commemorative Easter Egg to the First Lady of the United States. In 2021, the White House expanded on this longstanding tradition by displaying youth-designed Easter eggs in the White House East Colonnade," the flyer explains.
"On behalf of First Lady Jill Biden, The Adjutants General of the National Guard are asking youth from National Guard families across the United States and all U.S. territories to submit artwork inspired by the theme ‘Celebrating our Military Families,’" the flyer continues.
Children are asked to design eggs with images based on their own lives. "Selected designs representing the unique experience and stories of National Guard children will be brought to life on real hen eggs by talented egg artists from across the country and displayed at the White House this Easter and Passover season," the flyer says.
Children also can't promote material that promotes "bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age" in their designs.
Selected designs will be painted by artists on real eggs and displayed at the White House.
@ISIDEWITH6mos6MO
Does the ban on religious themes in the art contest protect participants from potential bias, or does it limit personal expression?
@9L7VCP36mos6MO
It limits personal expression which is distinctly un-American
@9L7SS9W6mos6MO
I feel that there should not be a ban on religious themes because it is a limit of expression. People should not be forced to include or exclude such themes from their art. Religion is part of the human experience, and art is a method we can use to tap into said experience.
@ISIDEWITH6mos6MO
Can a balance be struck between inclusivity and respecting the religious origins of Easter in public celebrations?
@9L7V6JRRepublican6mos6MO
It is a fundamental tier of the United States as a free country to have free expression of religion. There should be a basic understanding within the community and throughout society that there will be various religious groups that will be showing their faith through different types of displays. As long as the display is not physically imposing on peoples lives then it should be perfectly fine.
@9L7TWCCRepublican6mos6MO
We ought to preserve our nations cultural heritage—for the sake of cultural cohesion and public morality.
@WorldlyRelishPatriot6mos6MO
If you take Jesus out of Easter it becomes Sunday. Easter is NOT about rabbits that lay eggs.
@BoredGranolaRepublican6mos6MO
Unfortunately Easter is no longer about Jesus. The Easter bunny had nothing to do with Jesus and Easter has come like Christmas, completely commercialized. All the Catholics and Christian’s who push religion should fight to de commercialize the holidays. But that is my opinion
@ISIDEWITH6mos6MO
Should children's artwork for public display be free of religious symbols, or do such restrictions overlook the significance of these symbols to individuals?
@9L7TMHJIndependent6mos6MO
kids can draw whatever they want!
@ISIDEWITH6mos6MO
It’s crazy when atheists believe they can celebrate Easter and CHRISTmas while still fighting against Christianity
@OatmealDougConstitution6mos6MO
He said religious themes like the olive branch, Christ, cross, anything that indicates the son of god has risen
He is the Antichrist
@BipartisanStanRepublican6mos6MO
We have a truly demonic administration
@ISIDEWITH6mos6MO
@9L7TMKF6mos6MO
What's next going to take Christ out of Christmas too...this is ridiculous.. its like we have to do what the atheists' want what about how America used to be a country of Christian didn't matter what religion you were but this is extreme.
@ArtisticFr33domDemocrat6mos6MO
Easter has nothing to do with any religion. Yall have stolen the holiday that supposed to be celebrating fertility and the start of spring.
Just like Christmas and all the others.
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