New York Principal Bans Playing Of “God Bless The USA” At School Ceremony

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