Although we strive to keep our editorial content local in terms of Queens,
there are often things that reach out from other parts of the city and overlap
into the framework of what everyone should be reading about. This week,
we’d like to talk to you about an issue that has its start in Coney Island,
Brooklyn, at PS 90.
Principal Gretta Hawkins issued an order prohibiting the kindergarteners
there from performing the Lee Greenwood song “Proud to be an American,”
at their upcoming graduation. They had been in rehearsals for more
than five months when Hawkins walked into the room and demanded a CD
with the song playing be stopped.
Teachers present wondered what Hawkins’ objective could possibly be
and were reportedly stunned when she gave her answer, “We don’t want to
offend other cultures.”
Forgive us if the writing gets muddled from here on in, but it is difficult
even for the strongest of pens, to refrain from tirade in the face of something
we find so despicable. In fact it is hard to distinguish just how many
different fronts this decision is objectionable on.
But let’s take it in order of priority. To begin with, what part of the song
offends any culture—maybe it’s offensive to cultures with parents that
breed baby bombers before making their own willing rush defiantly toward
death in pursuit of 72 virgins and some other terrorist pacifiers.
Well if that’s the culture that’s offended by God and country then I say sing
away.
Secondly, why do you think the Mayor and the Board of Ed are sticking by
Hawkins in her 15 seconds of infamy? We don’t know what’s worse here—
a principal who tries to strip God and country from virtual babies or an
administration that defends it.
Perhaps we’ve waited too long in this editorial space or anywhere else to
say that what is wrong in our classrooms is not that we seek to put God and
the United States into them—it is clearly that we allow anyone to try to
take either of those entities out of our classrooms.
There we’ve said it. We’re willing to admit to the fact that this newspaper
supports the belief in God, no matter what you call Him, and in good. And
anyone who doesn’t like it is urged to read here no more.
What more preposterous notion could there be then to try to deprive a child
of learning about the fight for this country that has kept the freedom so
cherished on these shores. And what could possibly be wrong with a song
that speaks of spirit and honor and love of the country that has been built
on the fusion of so many cultures that most have lost count.
Chancellor Wolcott has been quoted as saying he supported Hawkins’ decision.
“I have to rely on the principal’s judgment,” he said in a published
interview. “It’s her judgment to make that decision.”
We know Ms. Hawkins judgment is either one of two things, severely impaired
or downright divisive.
We’ll tell you what Chancellor, maybe it’s your judgment we should
check. In spite of that, we thank her for putting her restrictions out
there for the public to see. Hopefully they will spur in all who see them the
same determination as it did here ––to spread the word about two things:
God and country—without either we are morally and spiritually bankrupt.
