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Principal Greta Hawkins Bans 'God Bless the USA' Song from Graduation
In New York City, the principal of PS 90, the Edna Cohen School, refuses to allow kindergarten students to sing 'God Bless the USA,' a patriotic tune by Lee Greenwood, at their graduation.
The kids have spent months learning the famous country song, which was going to be the flag-waving finale of their musical show on June 20.
However, the principal of the school, Greta Hawkins, recently told the teachers to drop the song from the graduation program.
Hawkins was quoted as saying: "We don't want to offend other cultures."
Parents and teachers alike are upset by the banning of the tune, which has been sung at other school functions.
A teacher told the New York Post: "It makes them a little goosebumpy and teary-eyed. I've never come across anyone who felt it insulted their culture."
New York Department of Education spokeswoman Jessica Scaperotti told the New York Post that principal Hawkins thought the lyrics were "too grown up" for five year olds.
Scaperotti agreed, saying "The lyrics are not age-appropriate."
Oddly, Justin Bieber's song 'Baby,' is acceptable for 5-year-old children. The lyrics include: "Are we an item? Girl, quit playing."
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Comments
James, you're offensive.
James, you're offensive.
Whether your a athiest or
Whether your a athiest or christian no one should feel offended I went o school with jahovah's and they never felt offended because I pledge to the flag there was never any issues now there are and it's getting worst I happen to believe in god and if you don't thats not my problem i don't judge you because of your beliefs. I have attended several churches with friends and I am not citical far as not haiving faith what ever works for you but don't go and tell people what to hear and not to hear from my personal experience god works for me but i dont go door to door and cram it down your throat. I was raised with a higher power in my life and i know what works for me it is what it is...
Is she saying there are no
Is she saying there are no other patriotic songs? I've always been fond of "America the Beautiful". Yes, it does contain the line, "God shed his grace on thee." Even as an atheist, I don't find that line offensive. That country song is offensive musically, ethically, and patriotically. For one thing, it implies America cannot survive without a god. That's a bit counter to the intentions of the founding fathers.