Dolly Parton is a beloved country singer and her God-daughter Miley Cyrus is also a beloved pop star. Both women are known to perform together routinely. And their appeal is to a very wide audience.
But recently, a school banned a song the two women performed together thinking it might be too ‘controversial.’ Keep reading to learn more about this incident.
The administrators at a Wisconsin elementary school stopped a first-grade class from performing a Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus song. The song promotes LGBTQ acceptance and the administration felt it “could be perceived as controversial.”
Students at Heyer Elementary School in Waukesha were preparing to sing the song “Rainbowland” at their spring concert when the school administration shut them down. Parents believe it was because the song promotes LGBTQ acceptance and references rainbows which is something the pride flag bears as well.
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Superintendent James Sebert confirmed to Fox News that the song was removed because it may not be “appropriate for the age and maturity level of the students.” He also said that the school has a policy against raising such issues in classrooms because they could be controversial.
Sebert has in the past prohibited rainbows and pride flags from being displayed in Waukesha classrooms. He also suspended the school district’s equity and diversity work in 2021.
“Let’s all dig down deep inside, brush the judgment and fear aside,” the lyrics from Miley Cyrus’ song read. The song is from Cyrus’ album “Younger Now” which was released in 2017. The lyrics continue, “Living in a Rainbowland, where you and I go hand in hand. Oh, I’d be lying if I said this was fine, all the hurt and the hate going on here.”
First-grade teacher Melissa Tempel said she chose the song because the message was simple and sweet. The class’ concert theme was “The World” and the other songs included in the concert were “Here Comes the Sun,” by The Beatles and “What a Wonderful World,” by Louis Armstrong.
“My students were just devastated. They really liked this song and we had already begun singing it,” Tempel said.
Administrators had initially also banned the song “Rainbow Connection” from The Muppets but later went back on this decision according to Tempel.
Parents are upset at this ban and other district policies against expressing LGBTQ support and what it can mean for queer students in the district.
“These confusing messages about rainbows are ultimately creating a culture that seems unsafe towards queer people,” she said.
School boards in Wisconsin including the one in Waukesha in question, have become increasingly partisan. Republicans gained a lot of support and power in the school board races in 2022 and have used their positions to change policies such as rules for transgender students and Covid-19 restrictions.
What do you think about this school’s ban on Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus’ songs? Let us know in the comments. Share this piece with other fans of the singers so they can know what is going on as well.
