I am a music eacher in a predominantly African American Coummunity.
I have been teaching the recorder to my current fourth graders for two years and I have a book in my collection called Nice N' Easy. The songs are not too hard and the kids can play along with a cd. Okay no big deal right? Wrong, I guess. Here is the song list:
Themes And Variations On Hot Cross Buns
Jungle Babies
Choo-Choo Boogie
Small Canoe
BAGEE Bug March
EGGS In A BAG
Neat Trick
Shortin' Bread
Double D Duet
"Lott-Za" D's
Mary's Mixmaster
Gabby's GAB Fest
By The Pale Moonlight
Plain Stars/Resting Stars
Peanut Butter Stars/Shooting Stars
Wayfarin' Stranger
Sakura
John's Boogie
HOT Stuff!
So I get to the song "Jungle Babies", and have been teaching to all my fourth grade, with no problem, except today, my principal pulls me aside and tells me to pull the song, that a teacher complained it was offensive. I am very embarassed as I was unaware if this as being negative to anyone.
2007-02-13 13:39:57 · 12 answers · asked by laurapiano3 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
Just say..."Woops! Sorry, I never thought of that and didn't mean to be offensive."
I'm also a music teacher on the Navajo Indian Reservation and that sort of thing happens all the time...We're not supposed to show pictures of snakes or sing songs about snakes. We can't tell stories about Cayotes or Wolves until winter time and the list of traditional taboos abound. I'm always pulling out songs and things and later get told that I shouldn't do that song.
Most amazing, the Navajo's aren't offended by the song 1 little, 2 little, 3 little Indians...and have even translated it into Navajo and the Navajo language teacher teaches that song in Navajo to teach the kids to count in their native language. Go figure. I thought that would be very insulting to them but NOT.
If someone is insulted, just apologize, wipe it off your list of songs to sing for the day and do some other song until someone tells you not to. There are millions of songs out there, if some culture is offended and wants to take 10 or so of them off the shelf, I'm not really offended. I just have to be told.
(My kids LOVE to play "THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT" and that is quite African but your kids might find it very appropriate during black history month. All the different parts going at the same time and its not really so difficult...very fun and the kids LOVE it. Try Lion Sleeps Tonight instead of Jungle Babies. Its in McGraw/Hill's Share the Music...I think 5th grade but it could be 4th...I'd have to look it up in the index. Cool song! I don't think it will offend anyone.)
I'd like to add that there is always some weird teacher in the bunch who is usually having a very bad day when they complain about something so trivial. You must be doing a very good job for some class room teacher to make such an issue of something so simple. When they complain about nonsense, its a sign you're doing very well. Just smile, appologize to the whining teacher and principal who thought it would be politically correct to stick up for the whiner. Just go along to get along on something as goofy as this.
Make sure you choose your battles wisely and this doesn't seem to be important enought to fight or fret over. Just delete the song.
2007-02-13 13:51:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
People make this mistake all the time. All you have to say to him is that you did not realize that this was offensive to any one. Say that you understand that you have to pull that song and not teach it anymore. This just means that you are a very sensitive person like me and care about what other people think about you in some cases. The children probably have no idea what was wrong about it anyway. Just explain to him that you were unaware of this being negative to other people. He will totally understand. Don't be embarrassed because people move on in life. He has so much on his mind that you will probably have to remind him of what happened!
. : Jennifer : . Hope this Helps! ; ) relax!
2007-02-13 13:49:01 · answer #2 · answered by My_Angel_In_Heaven 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Too bad the teacher didn't have the stones to come to YOU instead of running to the principal. I've been teaching for years and HATE it when people pull this kind of crap. You simply need to explain to the principal that it appears to be a song about what it SAYS it is...baby animals in the jungle. Of course, you'll probably need to pull the song since someone decided to be offended by it.
I suppose I COULD be offended by several songs in your book if I TRIED to be. Is "Neat Trick" about a prostitute? 'Lott-Za' D's" appears to be written in some sort of "gangsta" style. "Gabby's GAB fest"? Won't we hurt Gabby's feelings by implying that she talks too much? Where will this nonsense end?!?!? People need to worry about big issues and stop majoring in minors...
Good Luck!
2007-02-13 14:10:10 · answer #3 · answered by playdead1414 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your principal has no guts. His response to the complaining teacher should have been, "Have you spoken to the music teacher about this?" "All the music books purchased for the use of the students in this school were approved by me, the chief school administrator, and the board of education. Kindly, put your specific objections in writing and submit them to me. Do not discuss this with any of your coleagues until a resolution has been made by me and the powers above me." If the complaining teacher won't go to you, the music teacher, or put the complaint in writing, then it's a dead issue. End of story.
2007-02-13 16:36:08 · answer #4 · answered by WESS LB 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's nothing wrong with "Jungle Babies". There's even a clothing line in the U.S. called "Jungle Babies". The other teacher that complained has been misinformed. You sound a lot like me. I get embarassed by things like this easily. Even if I did nothing wrong. Don't worry everything will turn out OK.
2007-02-13 14:10:50 · answer #5 · answered by pawt72 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think it is negative. Im sure it is not about african american babies ...its about baby animals in the jungle. I think that this is the reason for racisim, people compare EVERYTHING to a race or community. I would go to that person and ask what is offensive about it? That type of thinking is what makes everything racial! JMHO!
2007-02-13 13:45:43 · answer #6 · answered by ameribicgirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
censorship plain and simple..as if jungle babies was actually meant to be a racial slur...how arrogant..that african american children could be the only possible explanation for the song title..and that even if it were..that being from the jungle is somehow offensive...sounds like someone has serious feelings of inadequacy..i'd tell him that you won't be playing white christmas either.
2007-02-13 13:51:04 · answer #7 · answered by B-Rabbit 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
aI know this song it is not about people but about baby animals what is wrong with people today they read and mistake ever thing today or they are just so raciest them self's that they see bad in ever thing it is a children song you are not in the wrong and do not listen to any one who says you are the school owes you an apology not vice verse
2007-02-13 13:58:14 · answer #8 · answered by countrycollecter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sees like you are getting the dreaded Political Correctness we have got in the UK.Don't feel embarassed,but it will gradually get worse.
2007-02-13 13:46:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
pc gone wild. Pull the song appolige to you principal
2007-02-13 13:43:54 · answer #10 · answered by walter_b_marvin 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋