Posted on 03/09/2009 8:28:45 AM PDT by stan_sipple
A Lakeview Elementary parent is upset the audience of a school program on Martin Luther King Jr. was asked to stand for a song known as the black national anthem.
Two teachers performed the song, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” — known to some as the “Black National Anthem” — as part of a 15-minute program during Black History Month.
Russ Roberts, who has a first-grade daughter and fourth-grade son at Lakeview, said he was shocked when the audience was asked to stand for the song after it was identified as the “Black National Anthem.”
He said he doesn’t object to the song, but the way it was presented gave the mistaken impression to students that there are two national anthems.
“I don’t like how it was presented to parents and students,” he said.
“I looked all over the map of the world and couldn’t find a country called black.”
King stood for desegregation, and having the audience stand for a “Black National Anthem” promotes segregation and leads to polarization and bias, he said. And it confused his children, he said.
In a letter responding to his concerns, Principal Sudie Bock said the teachers intended to show respect for the historical journey and contributions of African Americans in United States history.
“It was never intended to suggest or replace our country’s national anthem,” she wrote.
“The Star-Spangled Banner” is taught to students as part of the fourth-grade curriculum, Bock said.
She also said she would make sure teachers clarify to students that it is the only national anthem, and to clarify the historical purpose of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.”
Roberts said he enjoyed the rest of the program but worries that trying to explain to students about the song will further confuse them.
The song was originally a poem written by James Weldon Johnson and first performed as part of a celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday in 1900.
Johnson’s brother set it to music in 1905 and the NAACP adopted it as the Negro National Anthem in 1919. It has remained an expression of the black American experience.
The song sparked controversy last summer, when a singer asked to perform the national anthem before the Denver mayor’s state of the city address replaced the lyrics of “The Star-Spangled Banner” with “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.”
The song is sung in many settings, including at churches and the city’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast.
The Rev. Joseph Lowery quoted from the song during the closing prayer at President Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony, as did the Rev. Sharon Watkins when she preached at the National Prayer Service the day after his inauguration.
Thomas Christie, LPS multicultural school/community administrator, said if Roberts’ children were confused, he has a valid point, which teachers are addressing.
The teachers’ intentions were good, Christie said, and the song’s historical context is important.
“The benefit is that it’s part of history, it’s part of kids knowing that at one time things were separate in this country and they’re not now.”
Bess Scott, LPS director of elementary education, said Lakeview teachers were trying to help students understand that struggle, which is admirable.
The program was the culmination of learning more about African Americans who have contributed to society, culture and the strength of the nation, she said.
“We do that every day in our curriculum,” she said. “We want our kids to see themselves and how we work together.”
I always thought it was “Gimme 40 acres and a Lexus” ...
Imagine how confused they must be by Zer0, who got elected in no small part because of Dr. King's legacy and who is now working to permanently replace Dr. King's dream of a colorblind society with one based on special rights for those with the right racial backgrounds.
My Irish ancestors made a powerful impact on this nation. Where’s my Irish-American National Anthem?
Afterall, they were quite oppressed and discriminated against ...
But then again, we got over it, and got to work.
Harrumph moment.
Our school district superintendent should be FIRED. Her district back in Washington State banned Halloween because it “offended” witches.
Soon it will be the only anthem. People have not yet grasped that we are in the process of being conquered. Such a conquest, to my knowledge, is the first in history solely through the medium of words.
Okay! Everybody sing....
"Roll out the barrel!..."
.........for who? I sure hope the "two teachers" feel good about themselves, because the blind socialistic indoctrination of innocents has it's price to pay...EXPOSURE!
I don’t object to the song or anyone singing it, but don’t ask me to stand as it’s sung.
I stand for our National Anthem, the Star Spangled Banner, and I place my hand over my heart. We are all Americans. We aren’t all black.
I’ve stood for Hail to the Chief.
At Christmas I stand for the Hallelujah Chorus if I go to a presentation of the Messiah.
I stand for prayers when prompted.
I stand for ovations.
I stand when respect is due.
I find it boorish when men don’t stand when a woman enters the room or joins a table.
I’m an old fuddy-duddy and , apparently, racist and sexist.
NOTICE HOW THE TEACHERS NAMES WERE NOT IN THE STORY
Same here.
Get to work and quit trying to create your own country this one is good enough for us all if we just WORK!
“The teachers’ intentions were good, Christie said, and the song’s historical context is important”
“The benefit is that it’s part of history, it’s part of kids knowing that at one time things were separate in this country and they’re not now.”
“Bess Scott, LPS director of elementary education, said Lakeview teachers were trying to help students understand that struggle, which is admirable.”
This is not education this is indoctrination. I have a song which is also “part of history” it is a song which will also “help students understand [a] struggle”. After all, one man’s indoctrination is no better or no worse than another man’s-right?:
I’m a Good Old Rebel
Oh, I’m a good old Rebel
Now that’s just what I am.
For this Yankee nation
I do not give a damn.
I’m glad I fought agin her,
I only wish we’d won.
I ain’t asked any pardon
For anything I’ve done.
I hates the yankee nation
And everything they do,
I hates the declaration
Of independence, too;
I hates the glorious union-
’tis dripping with our blood-
And I hates their striped banner,
I fought it all I could.
I rode with Robert E. Lee,
For three years, thereabouts.
Got wounded in four places
And starved at Point Lookout.
I caughts the rheumatism
A-camping in the snow.
But I killed a chance of Yankees
And I’d like to kill some mo’.
Three hundred thousand Yankees
Lie still in Southern dust
We got three hundred thousand
Before they conquered us.
They died of Southern fever
And Southern steel and shot.
I wish they were three millions
Instead of what we got.
I can’t take up my musket
And fight ‘em now no more,
But I ain’t going to love ‘em,
Now that is certain sure;
I don’t want no pardon
For what I was and am,
I won’t be reconstructed
And I do not give a damn.
ping!
Persons of color SEGREGATING again.
The only song that I know of that would start with “Roll out the Barrel” would be a Polish song.
How about having them stand for Dixie the southern National Anthem. See how far that idea will get!
I thought this was the new anthem....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb6ErLPt4t8
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