Posted on 06/10/2012 5:59:35 PM PDT by Kaslin
America really is fading away before our very eyes.
A public school principal in New York City has banned kindergartners from singing "God Bless the USA" at their graduation, but according to the New York Post, is allowing them to perform Justin Bieber's "Baby":
Her refusal to let students sing “God Bless the USA” at their graduation has sparked fireworks at a school filled with proud immigrants.
Greta Hawkins, principal of PS 90, the Edna Cohen School, won’t allow kindergartners to belt out the beloved Lee Greenwood ballad, also known as “Proud to be an American,” at their moving-up ceremony.
Five classes spent months learning the patriotic song, which skyrocketed in popularity after the 9/11 attacks and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
It was to be the rousing finale of their musical show at the June 20 commencement. The kids, dressed up for their big day, would wave tiny American flags — which, as the lyrics proclaim, “still stand for freedom.”
But Hawkins marched in on a recent rehearsal and ordered a CD playing the anthem to be shut off, staffers said.
She told the teachers to drop the song from the program.
“We don’t want to offend other cultures,” they quoted her as explaining.
Catch your breath - there's more:
Department of Education spokeswoman Jessica Scaperotti gave The Post an explanation staffers said they never heard — that Hawkins found the lyrics “too grown up” for 5-year-olds.
The song starts: “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.”
Scaperotti said the department supports the principal’s decision. “The lyrics are not age-appropriate,” she said.
But Justin Bieber’s flirty song about teen romance, “Baby,” was deemed a fine selection for the show. Hawkins had no problem with 5-year-olds singing lines such as, “Are we an item? Girl, quit playing.
Here are the full lyrics to the Bieber song in question:
You know you love me, I know you care
Just shout whenever, and I'll be there
You are my love, you are my heart
And we will never, ever, ever be apart
Are we an item? Girl, quit playin'
"We're just friends," what are you sayin'?
Said "there's another," and looked right in my eyes
My first love broke my heart for the first time
(Chorus)
And I was like baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine, mine
Baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine, mine
For you, I would have done whatever
And I just can't believe we're here together
And I wanna play it cool, but I'm losin' you
I'll buy you anything, I'll buy you any ring
And I'm in pieces, baby fix me
And just shake me 'til you wake me from this bad dream
I'm goin' down, down, down, down
And I just can't believe my first love won't be around
(Chorus)
When I was 13, I had my first love
There was nobody that compared to my baby
And nobody came between us who could ever come above
She had me going crazy, oh I was starstruck
She woke me up daily, don't need no Starbucks
She made my heart pound
I skip a beat when I see her in the street
And at school on the playground
But I really wanna see her on a weekend
She know she got me dazin' 'cause she was so amazin'
And now my heart is breakin' but I just keep on sayin'
(Chorus)
And these are the lyrics to "God Bless the USA":
Lee Greenwood - God Bless the USA (Live in 1985)
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 living 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 won't 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 U.S.A.
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 it's time we stand and say
That 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 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 U.S.A.
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 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 U.S.A.
And these are unacceptable, but "Baby" is fine for kindergartners.
You gotta be kidding me!
Really set the idiot on fire, have the kids sing all 4 verses of the the STAR SPANGELD BANNER.
Excellent point.
You’d think they’d rule out child abuse at a kindergarten promotion ceremony, wouldn’t you?
Search.
Lookie here....if we can smoke a bunch of Wisconsin leftist libs and keep Walker in office,we can certainly handle a leftist dipshit principal.....time for an uprising! The parents should all tell their kids to stand up and sing the Star Spangled Banner or the National Anthem-LOUDLY-with the parents standing and singing along with the kids! That would certainly drown out the screeching of the left....:)
Apparently, this Affirmative Action Jackson is not stranger to pissing people off
http://www.uft.org/news-stories/brooklyn-principal-bully
Look at her picture . . . surprise surprise, she’s Amish. She, one, has no business being funded by the taxpayer based upon her “beliefs” and two she has absolutely no business influencing our next generation of American citizens based upon on her anti-American beliefs. Come on NYC fire her sorry butt . . . remember that this is not the 1st time she has raised her ugly anti-American sentiments. She needs to be gone!
Times certainly have changed. I remember our school had a 4th of July assembly every year where each class was required to learn and perform a patriotic song. It was NOT optional. I can still remember the words to a few of them, Grand Old Flag was probably my favorite because it was uptempo and you could have fun with it.
The principal, a Jehovah’s Witness, does not recite the pledge because her religion forbids followers to salute any nation’s flag. Staffers gripe she doesn’t stand in respect during the school-wide ritual.
The DOE reprimanded her in 2010 after teachers complained she called the school “racist” and declared: “I’m black. Your previous principal was white and Jewish. More of us are coming.”
http://patdollard.com/2012/06/school-pulls-aatriotic-song-at-graduation-but-justin-biebers-baby-is-ok/
More, from an anonymous teacher rating site:
One-line Summary:
RACIST google her cuny work....the ruination of black student because of white teachers...are u kidding!!!!!!!!!!
Please review this principal in your own words:
This principal hates white people. At a June 10th meeting to staff she made several racist comments. Google her name or look up Daily News article Sept. 1 page 47
Search for what?
contact info
Where the Wonderful Happens
P.S. 90 Edna Cohen School
GRETA HAWKINS, PRINCIPAL
2840 WEST 12 STREET, BROOKLYN, NY 11224
Phone: 718-266-8090
http://schools.nyc.gov/SchoolPortals/21/K090/EducationalSupport/Faculty/default.htm
The need to fire her, but then she is probably protected by the Union
Insiders say Hawkins tried to end that tradition a couple years ago but staff objected.
The principal, a Jehovah’s Witness, does not recite the pledge because her religion forbids followers to salute any nation’s flag. Staffers gripe she doesn’t stand in respect during the school-wide ritual.
The song uproar comes amid tensions. Hawkins has been called a tyrant and bully by some staffers.
The DOE reprimanded her in 2010 after teachers complained she called the school “racist” and declared: “I’m black. Your previous principal was white and Jewish. More of us are coming.”
Scaperotti said Hawkins is being targeted by the teachers union and has received hate mail, which is under investigation by the NYPD.
http://schools.nyc.gov/SchoolPortals/21/K090/default.htm
I’m all for patriotic music but that “God Bless the USA” is one ugly song. “God Bless America” is what the kids need to be singing.
Who do you think Greta is backing for president?
It is your opinion that "God Bless the USA" is an ugly song. You are certainly entitled to it. Millions of Americans however disagree with you.
I agree with you however that "God Bless America" would be better suited
“Really set the idiot on fire, have the kids sing all 4 verses of the the STAR SPANGELD BANNER.”
Bill Press was offended by just the 1st one
The following is a comment written in response to the article about this story in the NY Post today:
“I’m serving on a deployment as I write this and I don’t even know what to say. What the hell am I doing this for? For my own good! We’re sacrificing our time and energy among other more valuable things such as my life and this stinking principal robs our kids of the history of who we are. I swore an oath to defend this country and it’s citizens of enemies both foreign and domestic, but how do you defend against ignorance. It’s simple... you fire people who decide that their own agenda is what should be taught instead of our history. And don’t label this racism & don’t label it religious persecution, just call it for what it really is... she doesn’t believe it as a Jehovah’s Witness so she decided that because she doesn’t believe in it that our kids should not believe in it. How have all the other complaints gone unnoticed? We really don’t have to worry as much about an enemy from a foreign land as much as people who live in this country tearing it down from the inside.”
Well said soldier and thank you for your service!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BzuMJq9f1I
“We Hate The USA” lyrics
If tomorrow all of this were gone
The American way of life
And I had to start again
I’d be sure to ditch my wife
I’d thank my lucky stars
Who needs the USA?
Yeah, that flag that stand for nothin’
So we just threw it awaaaaaaaay
I’d be proud to be a Canadian
‘Cause at least their health care’s free
And I’d rather be an Iranian
‘Cause they all hate Bush like me
And I’ll gladly stand up for illegals, too
And defend their right to stay
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt we hate this land
We hate the USA!
Well, we all like Minnesota
But I still hate Tennessee
I could’ve become President
But they didn’t vote for me
There’s not much that we recognize
If it’s b’tween New York and LA
If there’s any pride left in the American heart
Then it’s time we stand and say:
That I’d be proud to be a Canadian
‘Cause at least their health care’s free
And I’d rather be an Iranian
‘Cause they all hate Bush like me
And I’ll gladly stand up for illegals, too
And defend their right to stay
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt we hate this land
We hate the USA!
I think everyone know dat already...
Don’t you?
Teachers unions for starters.
That would be the perfect Democratic Party anthem.
Isn’t affirmative action wonderful?
Pray for America
I think of President Reagan every time I hear ‘God bless the USA’ since I first heard it during the 1984 campaign.
This whole incident is not only infuriating but also a sad commentary on our culture since I find that Justin guy to be insipid, and not even a very good singer. I guess all you have to do is look pretty and “razzle dazzle” them and you can be a star.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2893743/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2893702/posts
And supposedly this woman is a Jehovah’s Witness, I believe I read this elsewhere. Though she sounds more like a Devil’s Advocate. Maybe they should make up a song such as “We hate our country, oh yes we do. We hate country and we hate each other too.” Perhaps singing a little ditty like that would cement love, joy and peace among the citizens of our nation. I think it would NOT. A Bieber song? About what? Reading the lyrics, it is basically about lust, pre-teen lust. So strange for it to be okay for preschoolers to sing about pre-teen lust rather then pride in country.
And supposedly this woman is a Jehovah’s Witness, I believe I read this elsewhere. Though she sounds more like a Devil’s Advocate. Maybe they should make up a song such as “We hate our country, oh yes we do. We hate country and we hate each other too.” Perhaps singing a little ditty like that would cement love, joy and peace among the citizens of our nation. I think it would NOT. A Bieber song? About what? Reading the lyrics, it is basically about lust, pre-teen lust. So strange for it to be okay for preschoolers to sing about pre-teen lust rather then pride in country.
And supposedly this woman is a Jehovah’s Witness, I believe I read this elsewhere. Though she sounds more like a Devil’s Advocate. Maybe they should make up a song such as “We hate our country, oh yes we do. We hate country and we hate each other too.” Perhaps singing a little ditty like that would cement love, joy and peace among the citizens of our nation. I think it would NOT. A Bieber song? About what? Reading the lyrics, it is basically about lust, pre-teen lust. So strange for it to be okay for preschoolers to sing about pre-teen lust rather then pride in country. Grooming the next generation...
“And supposedly this woman is a Jehovah’s Witness,..”
I have many relatives who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, and this woman can call herself anything she wants, but she’s no JW! No TRUE JW would say the things attributed to her, racially or religiously.
Better yet, have them sing even just one verse of "The Bonnie Blue Flag", that should rip her stiches.
Let’s ALL get on the phone, fax, email and burn this despicable racist’s butt...this is war on our culture, our Constitution.
Let’s show this piece of crap how We the People feel about her politics.
Call
Fax
Reviews of her by teachers. Just amazing.
http://teachervoice.com/principal-reviews/Brooklyn/P-S-90-Edna-Cohen-School/10-47416/
And now she’s receiving hate mail. Some real gems about her in this article.
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/high-school-principal-target-racist-rants-article-1.1093240
She may be the worst school executive alive, but people who do this harm their cause, and make it even more difficult to get her out of that position. Stuff of this nature is disgusting.
““We don’t want to offend other cultures,” they quoted her as explaining.”
“Other cultures” are offended that you exist, sister. See what you can do about that.
I know.
A graduation for kindergarten?. I mean, for ****’s sake.
And I agree with the poster who dosent like God Bless The USA. It is dreadful. You have so many great patriotic songs, Greenwood’s is banal to the point of inducing vomit. So saccahrin, I fear too many listens may induce diabetes.
What about "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen? I hate that song and have never liked it.
Apparently the song offends her “culture”.
They learned more about USA Geography from the lyrics of God Bless the USA than they did all year in Kindergarten.
That is the grade school my father went to starting in the 4th grade in 1921. If he were alive today, he would not believe it.
“Greenwood’s is banal to the point of inducing vomit.”
It’s personal and heart-feld for Greenwood — written about what his grandparents dealt with to pick themselves up after losing everything. And I think the chorus is more pithy than “God Bless America” — which is a wonderful song, too.
The best, IMHO, are the last verse of the “Star Spangled Banner” and this verse from “America The Beautiful”.
O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev’ry gain divine!
I think this bitch principal is a racist before she’s a JW. I’ve worked with Jehovah’s Witnesses before. They’ve always stuck with their beliefs, but were subtle about it, not preachy, and respectful of others’ beliefs. This woman needs to get a dose of reality — maybe standing in an unemployment line.
Not amazing. Either 1's or 10's, not much in-between. In other words, if you're part of her clique, she's golden. If you're not in her group, she's poison. I can guess the criteria for being part of her in-group.
Not a country fan, but my dislike is simply because I think its rubbish. The lyrics would embarrass a 14 year old trying to write their first pop song, the tune is bland.
Listen to Ray Charles or Kathleen Smith, then listen to Greenwood. Sorry, but I think its pablum. And that you have great tunes a million miles better. Simply because its patriotic dosent make it great or even good.
(I KNOW, our modern national anthem in Scotland as opposed to Scotland the Brave is a second rate folk tune that I detest)
As to the Springsteen track, I am not a huge fan of his either (although I think his early albums are great), and I do like the track. The problem, rather famously, was and is that the air-pumping nature of the tune obscures the famously cynical lyrics. There was bemusement in the UK when it became a national anthem for the US circa 1984.
Typical leftist aka progressive god hater BS!
I rather imagine the admin higher-ups are on this problem by now for a year or more, given the sharp cleavage apparent in the teacher ranks. Time they found out what is really going on here.
Complete disconnect between the lyrics and the tune, the former as you say are reflections of a young man who's sorry for himself and his dead friends, whereas the music is uplifting, even triumphant. Split personality, perhaps, in the composer who, if he intended to counterpoint his tune with his down lyrics, misjudged the times and his audience.
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