Welcome to PS 90, Coney Island, New York, where grade school Principal Greta Hawkins says the patriotic song “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood is verboten, but the steamy Justin Bieber hit “Baby” is perfectly all right for kindergarten children to sing.
Kindergarteners at PS90 have spent weeks practicing the popular, patriotic country song made a national hit after the attacks on 9/11. It was to be the finale of their “moving-up” ceremony at the end of the school year on June 20.
But Greta “the Grinch” Hawkins had other ideas.
According to the New York Post, during a recent rehearsal, Hawkins stomped into the class room and ripped the Greenwood CD out of the music player proclaiming the song unfit for little ears to hear.
The Greenwood song has such unfit lyrics as, “And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.” Such a bad influence on the kiddies, no?
By contrast, Hawkins seemed to have no problem with the Bieber song that has such scintillating lyrics as, “For you, I would have done whatever. And I just can’t believe we ain’t together,” and, “Are we an item? Girl quit playin.'”
So, what reason did Principal “Red, White and Boo-hiss” give for nixing the patriotism this year? Sayeth the guardian of our children, “We don’t want to offend other cultures.”
You know, because the Greenwood song is so focused on attacking other cultures, and all, while the Bieber song is a veritable celebration of “culture.”
This isn’t the first time Hawkins tried to eliminate expressions of patriotism in her school, either. The Post reports that not long ago she tried to put a halt to recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of “America the Beautiful” but her effort failed due to a revolt by her own teachers and staff. At least there are still some public employees out there that aren’t ashamed of American patriotism.
One has to wonder in how many other countries expressions of pride of country is so hated by an employee whose entire living is made off the backs of the very citizens she denigrates so much?