Greta Hawkins, principal of PS 90, the Edna Cohen School, in Coney Island is at the heart of a controversy over her decision to ban the singing of “God Bless the USA” by the students at their end of the year ceremony. While the kids have been practicing the song for months as their finale, Hawkins reportedly walked into one of their last practices and promptly forbid the singing of the song as potentially insulting to some people. Justin Beiber however is considered perfectly fine.
Teachers quote Hawkins as saying “We don’t want to offend other cultures.” What is odd is that the song has been performed at prior events at the school, including graduation. It is a popular part of the celebrations and last year reportedly received a standing ovation.
Department of Education spokeswoman Jessica Scaperotti defended Hawkins and explained that she thought the lyrics were “too grown up” for 5-year-olds. Here are the lyrics:
If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.And 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 USA.From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there’s pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.And 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 USA.And I’m proud to be and American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.And 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 USA.
I am not sure why those lyrics are too grown up or insulting to some parents while Hawkins has allowed Justin Bieber’s song “Baby.” That song discusses how he is trying to land a girl and how “When I was 13, I had my first love; There was nobody that compared to my baby.”
Teachers have been speaking anonymously against Hawkins, including suggestions that the song was personally insulting to her faith as a Jehovah’s Witness. Hawkins does not recite the pledge of allegiance or reportedly stand for the pledge during ceremonies. She was previously reprimanded in 2010 after teachers complained that she called the school “racist” and declared: “I’m black. Your previous principal was white and Jewish. More of us are coming.”
We have previously seen controversies involving students told not to wear flags or engage in patriotic speech to protect the sensibilities of some parents. I disagree with those decisions. There is a difference between putting down other cultures and celebrating pride in our own nation. I hold no brief for this song, but I think the decision should be reversed.
What do you think?
Source: NY Post
disappointed fan
Perhaps you could give us examples – you post here soooooo often (like once)
Go chase a nut
David Blauw,
From the song’s creator, which I saw him perform with The Band at Madison Square Garden in 1974.
I think it is fantastic for the principal to uphold the separation of church and state. Having public school children sing “God bless the USA” is a clear endorsement of a belief that “God” exists and can bless the country. Indoctrination from an early age is something that should be avoided and I am a little surprised on Prof. Turley’s opinion on this.
While it could be argued that if any child/parent did not want to sing the song they could opt out, but as commentator “Danny Haszard” described, this type of self selected protest leads to beatings and ostracizing behavior by other students.
A society, and individuals, can only be truly free to believe what they choose when the state does not endorse a particular belief system. Endorsing a theistic belief over non-theism violates that principle. The JW church should be commended for upholding the separation of church and state, protecting freedom of belief and protecting minority rights.
Thanks Elaine.
I can’t say I’d want the song banned, but I’d be more concerned about brainwashing 5 year-olds than offending their parents.
JT, you are continually slipping. Where is the edge you once displayed?
Bob,Esq.,
Thanks for the laugh. This one’s for you:
I think they should use this instead:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YthJzHHAH_4
The lyrics are easy to remember for the kiddies and straight to the point.
Maybe the kids could sing this little ditty instead:
Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore
© John Prine
While digesting Reader’s Digest
In the back of a dirty book store,
A plastic flag, with gum on the back,
Fell out on the floor.
Well, I picked it up and I ran outside
Slapped it on my window shield,
And if I could see old Betsy Ross
I’d tell her how good I feel.
Chorus:
But your flag decal won’t get you
Into Heaven any more.
They’re already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don’t like killin’
No matter what the reason’s for,
And your flag decal won’t get you
Into Heaven any more.
Well, I went to the bank this morning
And the cashier he said to me,
“If you join the Christmas club
We’ll give you ten of them flags for free.”
Well, I didn’t mess around a bit
I took him up on what he said.
And I stuck them stickers all over my car
And one on my wife’s forehead.
Repeat Chorus:
Well, I got my window shield so filled
With flags I couldn’t see.
So, I ran the car upside a curb
And right into a tree.
By the time they got a doctor down
I was already dead.
And I’ll never understand why the man
Standing in the Pearly Gates said…
“But your flag decal won’t get you
Into Heaven any more.
We’re already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don’t like killin’
No matter what the reason’s for,
And your flag decal won’t get you
Into Heaven any more.”
In his time, I wonder if anyone thought Francis Scott key was full of shit?
And then some schmuck decides it goes well with a drinking song?
Dredd said it for me. thanks.
Meh, another example of someone forcing their own beliefs down school children’s throat under the guise of avoiding offense. Childish, unsupportable, and stupid. It’s a simple song (easy for fourth graders to learn) and it’s pretty generic and bland. Sure it’s been used as propaganda, and it’s annoying as hell, but it’s not exactly the font of all evil. Just another red herring issue for the R. to wave around.
I have a question for the attys. Is it acceptable, legally, to have people sit through “God bless the USA” in a public school setting?
I can’t stand this song and do think it’s BS propaganda per Dredd’s disussion . However, if such BS is a matter of free speech and does not fall into the category of separation of church and state, then it stays in.
It would be great if people would point out the BS propagandistic nature of this song to the students and have a discussion about that! Education should involve a thoughtful analysis/discussion of what we are asking children to do.
Dredd, you made my typing easy. Ditto. Thanks for saying it so good in both your posts.
Danny Haszard 1, June 11, 2012 at 9:41 am
… they DO try to force their convictions on others.
====================================
They are pikers in comparison to the 1% warmongers who force their beliefs through militant imperialism on substantial portions of the whole world, against the wishes of most Americans BTW.
That cowboy song becoming part of the propaganda engine informs about the locus of those who want John Wayne back into the foreign policy debate.
Southern discomfort.
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
Copyright © 1973 by Ram’s Horn Music; renewed 2001 by Ram’s Horn Music
At a friends son graduation from 4th grade (yes 4th grade ?) they played this song. The version from Rod Stewart. I had never really listened to the words before. In the context of watching sixty 10 yr olds up on stage, and me imagining all the Life in front of these youths, I had tears in my eyes.
Dredd’s characterization of the song as jingoistic echoes my feelings about it perfectly. The song, in its’ simplistic lyrics annoys me terribly. In the main it is inane in its usage and therefore inoffensive. However, the Principal’s banning it seems definitely to arise out of her own personal beliefs and is an uncalled for intervention. Her entire performance in her job seems to call for an examination of her fitness.
I’m not a fan of banning crap so I have mixed emotions about this act. Its wrong & she was wrong to do it – but god that song is a piece of crap from top to bottom, side to side and inside outside. Carp should file for defamation against it. As an American it is offensive and an embarrassment.
Jehovah’s Witnesses and the flag salute.
I was born into the Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1957.I was the good little JW boy who got beaten up in the school yard for not saluting the flag and remaining seated for the national anthem as demanded by my defiant Jehovah’s Witnesses leaders.
This was the better dead than red era of the 1960’s, and a kid not doing the act stood out big.
I suffered much,only to learn that the Watchtower corporation is just another made up man-made religion.
My JW leaders *forced* *compelled* me NOT to salute the flag,I wasn’t given any option.If I wavered I would be severely punished by my parents and struck down by God at Armageddon.
Kids suffer because of made-up rules by Jehovah’s Witnesses leaders,senile old holy men sequestered in their insulated ivory tower.
My point is:Jehovah’s Witnesses claim ‘neutrality’ that is false as they DO try to force their convictions on others.
–Danny Haszard
“I hold no brief for this song, but I think the decision should be reversed.
What do you think?”
It may be a scenario like the meme complex that caused the 2008-2012 credit crisis.
An expert has published a paper diagnosing that episode in psychoanalytic terms, rather than in economic terms.
He diagnosed the group as suffering from mania.
Imagine walking into a doctors office, being diagnosed as manic, then told to take a course in economics as the cure.
The point is, what is causing the epidemic of jingoism which is translating into imperialism, finally to find ourselves doing hit and runs on nations around the globe? (we have military bases, etc. in 192 nations)
There needs to be a psychoanalysis of the psychotic behavior so an effective treatment can be formulated.
We have more people in military marching bands than we have in the diplomatic corps of the state department working on international peace.
Maybe if we stop singing jingoistic, nationalistic, war-rah war-rah songs that would aid in recovery?
She may have a point, but it would work better if her method of implementation started at the School District level.