Peabody holiday concert inappropriate song selection

[Anonymous]

It’s one thing to have the music teacher play the song in class and discuss why it’s important to some. It’s another to ask kids in a chorus to say these words. It’s completely inappropriate whether they are four, nine or 14 years old. And it doesn’t matter if other religions were represented. This is singing about the birth of Jesus. There’s no way around it. It’s religious in nature and doesn’t belong in a public school sung by a chorus of students.

Schools should stick to fun cultural songs like Rudolph and Dreidel Dreidel. Or better yet, use some imagination and do a wonderful fall holiday concert. This isn’t hard. It’s lazy, uninspired teaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s one thing to have the music teacher play the song in class and discuss why it’s important to some. It’s another to ask kids in a chorus to say these words. It’s completely inappropriate whether they are four, nine or 14 years old. And it doesn’t matter if other religions were represented. This is singing about the birth of Jesus. There’s no way around it. It’s religious in nature and doesn’t belong in a public school sung by a chorus of students.

Schools should stick to fun cultural songs like Rudolph and Dreidel Dreidel. Or better yet, use some imagination and do a wonderful fall holiday concert. This isn’t hard. It’s lazy, uninspired teaching.

A fall concert is good. I'm offended by fun cultural songs. Like it or not Christmas is a religious holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus, the Christian Lord and savior. It has nothing to do with Santa or Rudolf and I don't want to hear those songs at a holiday concert.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Four pages and no one has said what is inappropriate about it.

It's "negro," duh!

[Anonymous]

This article sheds some light about both the negro spiritual and the Channuhah song being appropriate.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/12/14/can-public-schools-have-christmas-trees-whats-true-not-true-about-religious-expression-public-schools/

I really hope OP and those who find it inappropriate read the article.

And we're an atheist family before someone chimes in about our motives.

[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.

I think this is the most telling, and troubling, comment on this thread.

"Community" here clearly means white people, becuase NO ONE could look at the Peabody student body and not understand that a traditional Negro spiritual is part of that community. As is activism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This article sheds some light about both the negro spiritual and the Channuhah song being appropriate.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/12/14/can-public-schools-have-christmas-trees-whats-true-not-true-about-religious-expression-public-schools/

I really hope OP and those who find it inappropriate read the article.

And we're an atheist family before someone chimes in about our motives.

This article sheds light on Supreme Court case law - it does not shed light on appropriateness. Many of us agree that Citizens United was wrongly decided. The idea that adding multiple religious symbols and calling it a "holiday concert" and therefore, constitutional is as much as hokum as declaring corporations people. It is inappropriate in a public elementary school to have children singing about the birth of Christ. Not all African American children are Christian. No all African American Christians celebrate Christmas. So what are the assumptions about "community" being made because of their skin color? Moreover, again, elementary students singing religious songs without context is not teaching them critical thinking or tolerance. Must better would be to cancel holiday concerts, and do community service projects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This article sheds some light about both the negro spiritual and the Channuhah song being appropriate.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/12/14/can-public-schools-have-christmas-trees-whats-true-not-true-about-religious-expression-public-schools/

I really hope OP and those who find it inappropriate read the article.

And we're an atheist family before someone chimes in about our motives.

This article sheds light on Supreme Court case law - it does not shed light on appropriateness. Many of us agree that Citizens United was wrongly decided. The idea that adding multiple religious symbols and calling it a "holiday concert" and therefore, constitutional is as much as hokum as declaring corporations people. It is inappropriate in a public elementary school to have children singing about the birth of Christ. Not all African American children are Christian. No all African American Christians celebrate Christmas. So what are the assumptions about "community" being made because of their skin color? Moreover, again, elementary students singing religious songs without context is not teaching them critical thinking or tolerance. Must better would be to cancel holiday concerts, and do community service projects.

What about a concert including a negro spiritual and songs from other cultural/religious traditions? Do you object to any religious references or to references to one religion without including others?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This article sheds some light about both the negro spiritual and the Channuhah song being appropriate.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/12/14/can-public-schools-have-christmas-trees-whats-true-not-true-about-religious-expression-public-schools/

I really hope OP and those who find it inappropriate read the article.

And we're an atheist family before someone chimes in about our motives.

This article sheds light on Supreme Court case law - it does not shed light on appropriateness. Many of us agree that Citizens United was wrongly decided. The idea that adding multiple religious symbols and calling it a "holiday concert" and therefore, constitutional is as much as hokum as declaring corporations people. It is inappropriate in a public elementary school to have children singing about the birth of Christ. Not all African American children are Christian. No all African American Christians celebrate Christmas. So what are the assumptions about "community" being made because of their skin color? Moreover, again, elementary students singing religious songs without context is not teaching them critical thinking or tolerance. Must better would be to cancel holiday concerts, and do community service projects.

I agree with you. We need more Thurl Ravemscroft songs and less frivolity. School isn't meant to be fun. Put 'em to work

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This article sheds some light about both the negro spiritual and the Channuhah song being appropriate.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/12/14/can-public-schools-have-christmas-trees-whats-true-not-true-about-religious-expression-public-schools/

I really hope OP and those who find it inappropriate read the article.

And we're an atheist family before someone chimes in about our motives.

This article sheds light on Supreme Court case law - it does not shed light on appropriateness. Many of us agree that Citizens United was wrongly decided. The idea that adding multiple religious symbols and calling it a "holiday concert" and therefore, constitutional is as much as hokum as declaring corporations people. It is inappropriate in a public elementary school to have children singing about the birth of Christ. Not all African American children are Christian. No all African American Christians celebrate Christmas. So what are the assumptions about "community" being made because of their skin color? Moreover, again, elementary students singing religious songs without context is not teaching them critical thinking or tolerance. Must better would be to cancel holiday concerts, and do community service projects.

I agree with you. We need more Thurl Ravemscroft songs and less frivolity. School isn't meant to be fun. Put 'em to work

No, but creating a public temple to materialism with the focus on Santa and gifts isn’t teaching civics - a major point in public education, ostensibly. A service project - maybe visiting seniors in assisted living or collecting used clothing for the homeless could be impactful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This article sheds some light about both the negro spiritual and the Channuhah song being appropriate.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/12/14/can-public-schools-have-christmas-trees-whats-true-not-true-about-religious-expression-public-schools/

I really hope OP and those who find it inappropriate read the article.

And we're an atheist family before someone chimes in about our motives.

This article sheds light on Supreme Court case law - it does not shed light on appropriateness. Many of us agree that Citizens United was wrongly decided. The idea that adding multiple religious symbols and calling it a "holiday concert" and therefore, constitutional is as much as hokum as declaring corporations people. It is inappropriate in a public elementary school to have children singing about the birth of Christ. Not all African American children are Christian. No all African American Christians celebrate Christmas. So what are the assumptions about "community" being made because of their skin color? Moreover, again, elementary students singing religious songs without context is not teaching them critical thinking or tolerance. Must better would be to cancel holiday concerts, and do community service projects.

What about a concert including a negro spiritual and songs from other cultural/religious traditions? Do you object to any religious references or to references to one religion without including others?

I think she have evolved enough as a people that we can sing songs of faith in places of worship and not sing religious songs in public schools. If that means having a Fall or a Spring concert, instead of Christmas concerts as some have suggested, great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow this is a classic spiritual. I could see how you could be put off if you didn’t know, but once you know...really?

+1

I'm a atheist, and a former (ancient) Peabody parent, and I think this is a great choice, with historical ties to DC's majority population.

That was DC’s majority population when you had kids at Peabody - the city has changed and DCPS needs to keep up.

Nope. Next year, ask the music teacher in advance about the chosen music. Don’t like it? Have your kid sit out. Or just shut up and learn something that is clearly outside of your comfort zone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow this is a classic spiritual. I could see how you could be put off if you didn’t know, but once you know...really?

+1

I'm a atheist, and a former (ancient) Peabody parent, and I think this is a great choice, with historical ties to DC's majority population.

That was DC’s majority population when you had kids at Peabody - the city has changed and DCPS needs to keep up.

Nope. Next year, ask the music teacher in advance about the chosen music. Don’t like it? Have your kid sit out. Or just shut up and learn something that is clearly outside of your comfort zone.

Someone who clearly missed civics herself- minority populations, STFU - while the majority rules. Yikes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This article sheds some light about both the negro spiritual and the Channuhah song being appropriate.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/12/14/can-public-schools-have-christmas-trees-whats-true-not-true-about-religious-expression-public-schools/

I really hope OP and those who find it inappropriate read the article.

And we're an atheist family before someone chimes in about our motives.

This article sheds light on Supreme Court case law - it does not shed light on appropriateness. Many of us agree that Citizens United was wrongly decided. The idea that adding multiple religious symbols and calling it a "holiday concert" and therefore, constitutional is as much as hokum as declaring corporations people. It is inappropriate in a public elementary school to have children singing about the birth of Christ. Not all African American children are Christian. No all African American Christians celebrate Christmas. So what are the assumptions about "community" being made because of their skin color? Moreover, again, elementary students singing religious songs without context is not teaching them critical thinking or tolerance. Must better would be to cancel holiday concerts, and do community service projects.

I agree with you. We need more Thurl Ravemscroft songs and less frivolity. School isn't meant to be fun. Put 'em to work

No, but creating a public temple to materialism with the focus on Santa and gifts isn’t teaching civics - a major point in public education, ostensibly. A service project - maybe visiting seniors in assisted living or collecting used clothing for the homeless could be impactful.

I know, Linus was totally right. I mean seriously, if it wasn't for Christmas songs in public school.concerts are kids would never be exposed to.consumerism. our society is so close to be being non-materialistic. If it wasn't for away in a manger!

And I totally agree. There should be loads more service learning and fundraising. Nothing teaches our children privelege better than pretending to help the poors while making our CV look better. It's time they learned that money is the root of everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This article sheds some light about both the negro spiritual and the Channuhah song being appropriate.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/12/14/can-public-schools-have-christmas-trees-whats-true-not-true-about-religious-expression-public-schools/

I really hope OP and those who find it inappropriate read the article.

And we're an atheist family before someone chimes in about our motives.

This article sheds light on Supreme Court case law - it does not shed light on appropriateness. Many of us agree that Citizens United was wrongly decided. The idea that adding multiple religious symbols and calling it a "holiday concert" and therefore, constitutional is as much as hokum as declaring corporations people. It is inappropriate in a public elementary school to have children singing about the birth of Christ. Not all African American children are Christian. No all African American Christians celebrate Christmas. So what are the assumptions about "community" being made because of their skin color? Moreover, again, elementary students singing religious songs without context is not teaching them critical thinking or tolerance. Must better would be to cancel holiday concerts, and do community service projects.

I agree with you. We need more Thurl Ravemscroft songs and less frivolity. School isn't meant to be fun. Put 'em to work

No, but creating a public temple to materialism with the focus on Santa and gifts isn’t teaching civics - a major point in public education, ostensibly. A service project - maybe visiting seniors in assisted living or collecting used clothing for the homeless could be impactful.

I know, Linus was totally right. I mean seriously, if it wasn't for Christmas songs in public school.concerts are kids would never be exposed to.consumerism. our society is so close to be being non-materialistic. If it wasn't for away in a manger!

And I totally agree. There should be loads more service learning and fundraising. Nothing teaches our children privelege better than pretending to help the poors while making our CV look better. It's time they learned that money is the root of everything.

Gross! Sorry you take such an ill view of helping others...which elementary student has a CV?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christmas is a religious holiday. It celebrates the birth of Christ. Nothing wrong with singing about that. I have no problem with hearing Jewish, Kwanzaa, or any other songs/ music to celebrate the season at a holiday concert.

They were not celebrating all religions. Just one.

Incorrect. They sang a Hanukkah song at the same concert. Also, no 4 year old unfamiliar with Christianity will get Jesus = God from the song. Mary had a baby; “oh lord” is also mentioned. That’s it; they even cut the “she named him Jesus” verse. A real woman named Mary really did have a baby.

So since the 4 and 5 year olds don’t understand what it is that they were singing makes it ok? My lord that’s a bizarre argument.