Dolly Parton, a well-known country singer, and her God-daughter Miley Cyrus, a popular pop star, often perform together and have a broad fan base. Recently, a school decided to ban one of their songs, fearing it could be seen as ‘controversial.’
At Heyer Elementary School in Waukesha, Wisconsin, the school administration halted a first-grade class from singing a song by Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus. The song, called “Rainbowland,” encourages LGBTQ acceptance, which the school administrators deemed as potentially controversial.
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As the students were getting ready to perform “Rainbowland” at their spring concert, the school administration intervened. Some parents think the decision was made because the song supports LGBTQ acceptance and mentions rainbows, which are associated with the pride flag.
Superintendent James Sebert confirmed to Fox News that the song was removed from a school event due to concerns about its suitability for the students’ age and maturity. The school has a policy of avoiding potentially controversial topics in classrooms.
In the past, Sebert has disallowed the display of rainbows and pride flags in Waukesha classrooms and halted the school district’s equity and diversity initiatives in 2021. The song in question, from Miley Cyrus’ 2017 album “Younger Now,” includes lyrics promoting unity and acceptance, such as “Living in a Rainbowland, where you and I go hand in hand.”
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First-grade teacher Melissa Tempel selected the song for the class concert, themed “The World,” because of its simple and positive message. Other songs included in the concert were “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles and “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.
Many students were disheartened after a popular song was prohibited from being sung in school, according to Tempel. The students had already started practicing the song and were fond of it.
At first, school officials had also forbidden “Rainbow Connection” from The Muppets. However, they later reversed their stance on the matter, as Tempel revealed. Parents have expressed their dissatisfaction with the ban and other district rules that suppress LGBTQ representation.
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Tempel stated that the mixed messages regarding rainbows were cultivating an unwelcoming environment for queer individuals. This has raised concerns about the impact of these policies on LGBTQ students in the district.
School boards in Wisconsin, like the one in Waukesha, have recently experienced growing political divisions. In 2022, Republicans gained significant support and control in school board elections, leading to policy changes on issues like transgender student rights and Covid-19 measures. A controversial decision to ban a song by Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus has sparked debate, and we invite you to share your thoughts in the comments.
