Do you think children should be banned from singing "God Bless the USA" in school?
School Bans Kindergartners From Singing 'God Bless the USA'
I don't care where you stand religiously or politically, when kids are allowed to croon a Justin Bieber tune for a school performance but singing a patriotic song
isn't allowed, I think we have a serious problem. The problem in this
case is an incident that happened last week at a grade school in Coney
Island, New York, when the school's kindergartners were banned from singing "God Bless the USA."
According to the New York Post, five classes of kindergartners had been practicing the patriotic song for months. It was going to be the finale in their big graduation performance on June 20. Only when the principal, Greta Hawkins, happened upon a rehearsal, she pulled the plug on the song and told them it wouldn't be allowed in the show.
Her reason is ridiculous.
“We don’t want to offend other cultures,” teachers told the paper she said.
Offend
them how exactly she didn't say, but parents are outraged, as they
should be. It doesn't mean that God shouldn't bless any other country,
but this is the one we're living in, so it makes sense to sing about it.
If her real objection is about mentioning "God," I understand the
importance of separation of church and state, but this is so far
overboard, it's unbelievable. Whether you believe in God or not, I think
you can agree the sentiment is a lovely one, and parents aren't
objecting to their kids singing it. So why should the school? God is
part of many people's lives in this county and an important part of our heritage as nation. To just wipe his name from the slate is not only ignorant, it's also offensive to plenty of cultures as well.
Also,
why did she pull the plug at the last minute when they'd been
practicing for so long, and the same song has reportedly been sung in
years past?
The school board is backing her up too, but for different reasons. Department of Education spokeswoman Jessica Scaperotti told the paper the lyrics are “too grown up” for 5-year-olds. You can read the lyrics of the song here, but there's nothing in there that kindergartners shouldn't hear. The refrain:
And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to meAnd I gladly stand up next to you
And defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
The outrageous topper to this whole maddening case: They will be allowed to sing Justin Bieber's hit "Baby", which contains lines like: "Are we an item? Girl, quit playing.” You tell me which song you'd rather have your kindergartner sing.
Do you think children should be banned from singing "God Bless the USA" in school?
Quoting Raintree:I'm not completely sure how the nationalism that is that song is any different than the nationalism taught in history classes the country over- not to mention nearly every other patriotic song that kids are taught.
When my kids were in school, every morning they said the pledge and then SANG TO THE FLAG- "You're a Grand Old Flag".
Basically, the idea is to create a worshipful reaction toward the flag (I would add, without thought). This idea was actually listed in the "Americanism" section of our district curriculum. Worshipful reverence.
I don't see how this is any different. People should be patriotic because of our country- not because they heard a song that uses emotion to coerce the feeling. Music is really powerful- that's why it's often used as a tool of propaganda.
That said, my kids did sing this song for the veterans day program they put on every year. Interestingly, this same district never had MLKjr day off- but they did take off Columbus day!
I approve of the song. It isn't about God simply because it mentions God in one line of the song. Banning it is as idiotic as banning the pledge of allegience.
Why couldn't they just sing the star spangled banner?
no that is ridiculous! i do understand why she pulled the plug though, people are quite goofy these days and she didnt ant to have her reputaion destroyed over something like that... sad :(
Schools are government entities; is there something in the Constitution about the separation of church and state?
Private schools that don't accept government funds can do whatever they want. The parents of children in private, non-federally-funded schools usually understand and agree with that.
No
Quoting JonJon:Schools are government entities; is there something in the Constitution about the separation of church and state?
Private schools that don't accept government funds can do whatever they want. The parents of children in private, non-federally-funded schools usually understand and agree with that.
Nope. You don't have to believe in God to sing the song, you just have to learn then words and the music. Children should be exposed to a wide range of styles and sounds in music class.
I learned some African drumming styles when i was little...i didn't mean my teacher was trying to convert me to a Zulu warrior.
In which document does it appear?
Quoting Tanya93:No
Quoting JonJon:Schools are government entities; is there something in the Constitution about the separation of church and state?
Private schools that don't accept government funds can do whatever they want. The parents of children in private, non-federally-funded schools usually understand and agree with that.
If you know people in OK help out with getting people together
- Cafe Steph
on Jun. 11, 2012 at 11:08 AM