Peabody holiday concert inappropriate song selection

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it is inappropriate for Kindergarten, and especially if not in a program representing a variety of cultural traditions.

And more troubling is the Principal’s response, as described here. Activism over kids and community.

How long has this song or similar songs been a part of the program?
This is not Activism OVER kids and community
Peabody is on Capital Hill, a historically black section of DC. It is representing community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not sure that “negro spirituals” are appropriate for kindergarteners. I am fine with them for older children who are learning about slavery and the civil war in history class who them learn them in music class.

The music teacher knew they overreached.

um, what??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it is inappropriate for Kindergarten, and especially if not in a program representing a variety of cultural traditions.

And more troubling is the Principal’s response, as described here. Activism over kids and community.

How long has this song or similar songs been a part of the program?
This is not Activism OVER kids and community
Peabody is on Capital Hill, a historically black section of DC. It is representing community.

I'm not even sure that's even an issue ... it's a unique and historical choice for a christmas carol - would be appropriate anywhere (as long as it's mixed with other interfaith or secular songs.)

[Anonymous]

Did they sing "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" too?

[Anonymous]

I dunno, I wouldn't freak out over some religion in Christmas songs if the school is otherwise on the level. I think that's closer to religion as subject in art/literature and farther from establishing religion. I get that they're singing it so maybe it's over the line...but I'm not sure this is the hill I would die on.

And of course it's fine to have your kid sit it out without penalty, which is what was offered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not sure that “negro spirituals” are appropriate for kindergarteners. I am fine with them for older children who are learning about slavery and the civil war in history class who them learn them in music class.

The music teacher knew they overreached.

What? What is the problem with negro spirituals?
It’s not relevant, but kindergarteners do learn about the civil war and slavery. How else to explain black history month/Martin Luther king, etc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious do other DC public schools perform super religious songs in their holiday concerts? The Peabody music teacher had the kindergarten students perform "Mary Had a Baby:"

Mary had a baby (My Lord)
Mary had a baby (Oh My Lord)
Mary had a baby (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Where did she lay him (My Lord)
Where did she lay him (Oh My Lord)
Where did she lay him (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Laid him in a manger (My Lord)
Laid him in a manger (Oh My Lord)
Laid him in a manger (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
What did she name him? (My Lord)
What did she name him? (Oh My Lord)
What did she name him? (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone

When parents complained, the principal apparently called it a "negro spiritual" and said if you don't like it, your kids can sit it out. This seems wholly inappropriate and insensitive for a DC public school. Is this the norm across the city?

What's "insensitive" about it? Educate me please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Curious do other DC public schools perform super religious songs in their holiday concerts? The Peabody music teacher had the kindergarten students perform "Mary Had a Baby:"

Mary had a baby (My Lord)
Mary had a baby (Oh My Lord)
Mary had a baby (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Where did she lay him (My Lord)
Where did she lay him (Oh My Lord)
Where did she lay him (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Laid him in a manger (My Lord)
Laid him in a manger (Oh My Lord)
Laid him in a manger (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
What did she name him? (My Lord)
What did she name him? (Oh My Lord)
What did she name him? (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone

When parents complained, the principal apparently called it a "negro spiritual" and said if you don't like it, your kids can sit it out. This seems wholly inappropriate and insensitive for a DC public school. Is this the norm across the city?

What's "insensitive" about it? Educate me please.

Why would we want to teach our children about slavery? [I am joking in case the sarcasm does not come through]

[Anonymous]

Everyone is assuming it's the religious content that offended. But it's also likely that the song sounded too "black" that thus somehow "inappropriate."

[Anonymous]

Did they changed to words? What does the original song say/

[Anonymous]

Almost all choral music is religious. If it bothers you, definitely don’t let your kid sing in high school choir. It’s an old negro spiritual song, OP. It’s part of history. Relax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious do other DC public schools perform super religious songs in their holiday concerts? The Peabody music teacher had the kindergarten students perform "Mary Had a Baby:"

Mary had a baby (My Lord)
Mary had a baby (Oh My Lord)
Mary had a baby (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Where did she lay him (My Lord)
Where did she lay him (Oh My Lord)
Where did she lay him (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
Laid him in a manger (My Lord)
Laid him in a manger (Oh My Lord)
Laid him in a manger (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone
What did she name him? (My Lord)
What did she name him? (Oh My Lord)
What did she name him? (My Lord)
The people keep coming but the train has gone

When parents complained, the principal apparently called it a "negro spiritual" and said if you don't like it, your kids can sit it out. This seems wholly inappropriate and insensitive for a DC public school. Is this the norm across the city?

A similar post (more details) was also posted on the Capital Hill list-serve (MOTH). One of the details that was left off in this posting is that a Chanukah song was also included in the program. In the MOTH posting, the Chanukah song was not cited as being inappropriate.

[Anonymous]

PSA: your children will learn about world religions in public school. It will come up in art, music, literature, and history classes. If it didn't, your child would have a woefully incomplete education.

What will not happen in public school: your child will not be forced to espouse or practice a particular religion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

A similar post (more details) was also posted on the Capital Hill list-serve (MOTH). One of the details that was left off in this posting is that a Chanukah song was also included in the program. In the MOTH posting, the Chanukah song was not cited as being inappropriate.

Dreidel dreidel dreidel doesn't talk about our lord.

[Anonymous]

OP, have you come back to explain your point of view?