Student Kicked Out Of College Republicans End-of-Semester BYO for Saying "Happy Holidays"

Josh Evans (C ‘19) was more than excited to have been invited to Penn College Republicans’ annual winter BYO. He had been trying to join the ranks of the Republicans for years, and he knew that this was his time to shine. Dressed in a “Make Christmas Great Again” sweater under a Canada Goose jacket, Josh was determined to make an impression.

He arrived and began making his way around the room, talking to anyone he could find. “I could really fit in here,” Josh thought. In one conversation, he blurted, “I stand behind the private sector and their ability to reduce poverty and decrease unemployment rates,” to an audience of warm encouragement and handshakes. Soon, sentences started taking too much time as he raced around the room to meet the members, so he simply uttered phrases, much to everyone’s delight. “Individual rights,” Josh said, and the crowd applauded. “Limited government” had them beaming with smiles, and shouting “privatization“ had the entire room on their feet.

All was going well until he said the wrong two festive words.

“Happy Holidays, everyone!” Josh drunkenly shouted. The moment those words came out of his mouth, Josh immediately wished he could take them back. It was the damn alcohol, Josh thought. He just knew he would say something stupid.

The room went silent. Charles Hancock, president of the Republican club and seasoned conservative, got up and approached Josh.

“Get out,” he firmly commanded. “I knew there was something fishy about you since you walked through that door. You held your head too high, and had this damn twinkle in your eye. You’re not one of us. And now with ‘Happy Holidays?’ You’ve got no respect and no place here.”

At least Josh didn’t say “Season’s Greetings.”