Christmas song dropped by New York public school for its “potential to be controversial or offensive”
A New York elementary school withdrew the song “Jingle Bells” from its curriculum because of its connection to the 19th century blackface tradition.
Brighton’s Council Rock Primary School Principal Matthew Tappon in an email to local newspaper The Rochester Beacon explained that the Christmas favorite had been replaced by other songs that didn’t “tit could be controversial or offensive.«
Tappon and his colleagues clarified that their decision was prompted by a 2017 article by Boston University professor Kyna Hamill. The researcher found documents showing a link between the “Jingle Bells” and the black-faced minstrel, a form of entertainment popular in mid-19th century America.
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When approached by The Rochester Beacon, Hamill said she was ” shockedWith the school’s decision to “cancel” a song.
« I have in no way recommended that it stop being sung by children, ”she said in an email. The professor added that his research simply told the story of the song’s first performance and was in no way related to “Christmas tradition of singing the song now.. She went on to say that the song’s popularity and catchy tune is an interesting phenomenon in and of itself and shouldn’t be seen solely through the prism of its origin in the minstrel days.
« I would say it should be a lot sung and enjoyed, and maybe discussed, ” she said.
Meanwhile, school officials also provided another reason for their decision, saying the song’s “sleigh bells” could be tied to the bells on the slaves’ necklaces. Hamill recommended supporting this claim by “a well referenced sourceIf the school wants to use it as an argument to cut the song.
Not only was Hamill unimpressed with the decision, which school principal Kevin McGowan called ” thoughtful change made by caring staff members. Many users have taken to social media to express their surprise and annoyance at the “cancellation” of “Jingle Bells”.
« The awakening of 2021 would not be complete without the cancellation by the children of Brighton Council Rock Elementary School in New York of “Jingle Bells”. Who the hell is on the prowl for this shit?One of the commentators said on Twitter. Another recommends that Brighton residents sing the song outside the school during drop-off and pick-up times.
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