Greta Hawkins, the principal of the Edna Cohen School in Brooklyn, New York, told students they could not sing the Lee Greenwood classic, “God Bless the USA,” at their moving-up ceremony, the New York Post reported late Saturday.
According to Department of Education spokeswoman Jessica Scaperotti, Hawkins found the lyrics “too grown up” for 5-year-olds. While the patriotic song has been banned, the Post notes that "Justin Bieber’s flirty song about teen romance, 'Baby,' was deemed a fine selection for the show."
"Hawkins," the Post notes, "had no problem with 5-year-olds singing lines such as, 'Are we an item? Girl, quit playing.'”
Scaperotti said the Department supports Hawkins' decision.
“The lyrics are not age-appropriate,” she told the Post.
Hawkins' decision to ban the patriotic song has sparked controversy at a school the Post says is "filled with proud immigrants."
According to the Post:
Five classes spent months learning the patriotic song, which skyrocketed in popularity after the 9/11 attacks and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.Hawkins interrupted a rehearsal and ordered the CD shut off. She then told teachers to drop the song.
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.”
Read more: http://www.examiner.com/article/controversial-principal-yanks-patriotic-song-from-kindergarten-graduation
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