OT: Principal of DS school changed words of Lennon's IMAGINE.

[SandraC]

Sensitivity or Censorship?

The sixth graders are singing John Lennon's IMAGINE at the Remembrance Day Assembly at DS's school. The principal thought that it's more sensitive to change the words "heaven" and "religion" ~ so they are omitted!

I am sooooo sad!

Kids are smart....they understand censorship in the name of sensitivity. We live a diverse area, yet I don't know any family who would object to IMAGINE....it's a beautiful and meaningful song.

I went to the principal and she stands by her changes.

sooooo sad. S

 

[kaw1218]

I think that's awful. If they aren't going to keep the song whole, then they shouldn't have picked it.

 

[sean-1966]

Pathetic!! My nephew was sent home from school because of his hair cut. He wanted a mohawk and his parents figured why not. He's 9 and a good student. I still don't understand why he had to change his hair.

 

[Blndiebby25]

Schools are banning stupid things these days. My fiance was telling me about a school he heard about that is banning tag because it is violent?!?

 

[sean-1966]

You have to love living in this politically correct society. What's the next step? Do we change history to conform to todays society? Maybe slavery was really just some nice white people helping some poor black folks get some exercise. Hitler was just a confused fellow who didn't understand the Jews. I hope I didn't offend anybody but this really gets to me. Tag, violent? Give me a break!! Reminds me of the episode of WKRP when the station is pressured by a religous group to only play certain songs. The line is "...Imagine there's no heaven". The key word in "Imagine". To the OP, I'm sorry but to stand up to this situation I'd pull my child from the assembly. You have to pick your battles, some battles are worth the fight.


BTW, I hate slavery in any form and Hitler was a physcopath.

 

[SaraMc]

Id pull them from the assembly too that song is too important to have the words changed. There are lots of memorials going on all over that you could take them too.

 

[SandraC]

The teachers I talked to support my stand...it's the principal who is anticipating problems. I am so sad about this.

In the name of an "inclusive" society is censorship and fear. I live in a very diverse community and I know NO ONE who would consider IMAGINE anything but a beautiful song and very relevant to Remembrance Day.

The principal is enforcing an US and THEM mentality, when we community members all adore each other and support one another already.

I am sharing this with you in the name of LOVE not fear.

Something is being lost in this situation. The principal is misguided and fearful. She should listen to the song and let her soul decide not her professional contract.

Blessings, Sandra

 

[SnowWhite]

What I cannot for the life of me understand is why not teach diversity? Sing the song the original way and teach its meaning to the students. I don't understand why teachers and principals tip toe around anything with religious overtones. If they were open and honest about the meanings kids would learn more. BUT because we pussyfoot around it all we are doing is teaching them that it is taboo. We are not a religious family, but I have no problem with religion or taking the time to learn about other cultures and religions. I deal with many people from many different cultures and even though they pay me to teach them. I take the time to learn from them as well. IMAGINE.........

Rob (Snowwhite's DH)

Lest We Forget............

 

[SandraC]

I managed to p*ss everyone off on Friday. First because of the IMAGINE issue and then I had to cancel a meeting because I'm sick. However, since I truly believe that if a person knows they are right thinking with their cause, then there is no agrument. So I just stated my case and my cause and let God do what God does best. I Let Go, Let God.

I feel badly that people's feelings got hurt, but if they really examined why they are upset, they'll see it's because they tried to change my mind. And no one can change a person's mind without their permission. The people who are upset and angry are really hurt. They need to think about their feelings and deal with it rather than dwelling in things they can not change.

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.


The principal changed the lyrics of a song and she should have accepted would get people upset or change the lyrics back to the original content.

She is clearly still upset about the situation as her tone with me is not the usual friendly manner. She fails to see that it's her job to deal with the community and deal with decisions she made. She is still upset because she knows she did something that isn't sitting right with her conscienous.

I will never compromise my values. It's not the example I'd teach my children. Thanks to all who listens and posted! Blessings, Sandra

 

[Cass]

What words were substituted? I mean the song goes 'Imagine there's no heaven' what are they singing?

If this song is being used for a memorial day tribute I can maybe understand the changes, quite often song lyrics are changed to fit the occasion, example Elton John's candle in the wind for Diana, the lyrics were totally different to be suited for her. Perhaps the changes in Imagine, make it more suited to a soldier tribute.

 

[Pink Disney]

Elton John changed the lyrics to a song of his own, however. Changing someone elses intellectual property is not only in this case censorship, but there are also copyright laws that are quite possibly being violated. Take note of the reason court decision which stated that "scrubbing" someone elses movies to make them fit someone else's values is in fact against copyright law. There are probably lots of other beautiful songs that could be picked that would not need "scrubbing" for this event. John Lennon meant exactly the words he used, and it is not someone else's right to change it. Perhaps your principal could write her own song if she feels there is no other good choice out there. Sorry about the vent, but this sort of censorship pushes all my buttons. I think your are completely right to take a stand.

 

[SandraC]

Had the principal said she was changing the words so that the children could benefit more by a simplified meaning, I might have accepted that reason. However, her reason was to be "sensitive" to people who might be offended. Honestly, I don't know anyone who would kick up as much dust as I already have about the change. She threatened to pull the song completely and said it's "her head" on the line if she left the orginal words. She is only thinking of herself and not the songs meaning or the people who are deeply moved by the lyrics.

Her purpose of censorship was to "not offend" people, yet I and several other parents are very offended.

She also threatened to follow strict board guidelines and allow only boring board content in the school. If she truly feels the board guidelines are boring, why doesn't she head a cause to change them?

Being myself lately has really p*ssed some people off, but that's their drama not mine. I'm very comfortable with myself and my causes, enough so that I don't need to argue my stand because I know I am right.

Thanks everyone! Blessings, Sandra

 

[starseed]

I agree to what's already been stated in this thread.

When all is said and done, by changing the the lyrics to the song, the song loses its meaning. So why then have the song used at all?