Wisconsin elementary school authorities prevented a first grade class from performing a Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton duet promoted acceptance of the LGBTQ community because the song “might be perceived as controversial”.
Students at Heyer Elementary School in Waukesha had prepared a performance of rainbow for their spring concert, but school officials removed the song from the schedule last week. The precinct’s parents say the decision was made because the song encourages LGBTQ acceptance and references rainbows.
Director James Sebert, who did not immediately return the call on Monday, confirmed to Fox6 that the administrators had removed “Rainbowland” from the first grade concert, as it may not be “appropriate for the age and maturity level of the students“.
He also referred to a school board policy against raising controversial issues in the classroom.
Sebert previously banned the display of rainbows and pride flags in classrooms in Waukesha and work on equity and diversity suspended of the school district in 2021.
“Let’s all go deep inside, put judgment and fear aside,” goes the song on Cyrus’ 2017 album, Younger now. “Living in a Rainbow Land, where you and I walk hand in hand. Oh, I’d be lying if I said it’s okay, all the pain and hate here.”
The reaction of the students
First grade teacher Melissa Tempel said she chose the song because his message seemed universal and sweet. The theme of the grade concert was The world and included other songs such as Here comes the sunby the Beatles, e What a wonderful world, by Louis Armstrong.
“My students were devastated. They really liked that song and we had already started singing it,” Tempel said on Monday.
The administrators had also banned the song Rainbow Connection of the Muppets, but later reversed that decision, according to Tempel.
Parents were angry at the song’s removal, Tempel said. But she was more concerned with what the ban and other district policies against expressing support for LGBTQ people meant to students.
“These mixed messages about the rainbow at the end they create a culture that seems dangerous to people whor,” he said.
Spokespersons for Parton and Cyrus did not immediately respond to emails sent Monday asking the artists what they thought of the ban.
Elections for school boards in Wisconsin, including that of Waukesha, have become increasingly partisan in recent years. Republicans won a large number of votes in the 2022 state school board election and used those seats to questioning all kinds of policiesfrom regulations on transgender children to restrictions imposed by COVID-19.
Source: AP
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.