There is doubling down and doubling dumb. You will have to decide. Brooklyn principal Greta Hawkins caused a national uproar after banning Lee Greenwood's patriotic "God Bless the USA" — including criticism on this blog about the lack of a standard given the fact that the school allowed other songs like Justin Bieber's song "Baby" with lyrics about nailing a girl. Rather than reversing her decision to ban the first song, Hawkins responded by banning Bieber's song as well. The kids, who have been practicing both songs for months, will now have to come up with some other choices for their end-of-the-year celebration.
Mayor Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott said Hawkins informed the public that Hawkins now believes that "Baby" is also inappropriate for 5-year-olds. Bloomberg stressed "The principal has decided she's not going to sing that song. It's the principal's decision, and we support the principals." Really, you support principals no matter how absurd their decisions? I thought we were operating on the "best interest of the children" standard. I can actually understand the Beiber decision, though it should have been made sooner than just before the ceremony. There, however, remains the bar on the first song. It is not one of my favorites but to say that it is inappropriate or insensitive is, in my opinion, absurd.
What is most striking is the total lack of responsibility shown by Bloomberg and the school head, who seemed to go out of their way to stress that they will not second guess a principal. That may resonate with the principals, but it is hardly in the best interests of the school. Indeed, Hawkins' greatest critics have been teachers and parents at the school.
Source: NY Post
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