Jun 18, 2012
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The New York City elementary school principal who banned the song “God Bless the USA” from being performed at a kindergarten graduation ceremony because it might offend other cultures has refused to respond to a congressman’s request for a meeting.
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Rep. Michael Grimm, (R-NY) sent a letter last week asking for a meeting with Greta Hawkins, the principal of the Edna Cohen School in Coney Island.
Hawkins made headlines when she instructed teachers to remove the patriotic song from the kindergarten graduation ceremony. Staffers at the school told the New York Post that Hawkins was afraid he song might “offend other cultures.”
A spokesperson for the Dept. of Education released a statement to Fox News Radio indicating the song was pulled because “the principal felt the lyrics were not age appropriate for a kindergarten moving up ceremony.”
The spokesperson also noted that students recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing “America the Beautiful” at the start of every school day.
Dennis Walcott, the chancellor of NYC schools, defended Hawkins.
“It’s her judgment to make that decision,” he told the Post. “You have to really wonder about some of the lyrics in the song, so I have to rely on the principal’s judgment along that line.
So Grimm, who is a Marine combat veteran and a former FBI agent, asked for a meeting. He released a statement Monday noting that his request had been ignored.
Grimm wanted to meet with the children, congratulate them for their hard work and present them with a copy of a book by Lee Greenwood, the man behind “God Bless the USA.”
“It is unfortunate that the principal of PS. 90 fails to see the value in sharing a song or a story about American patriotism,” Grimm said. “As a Marine combat veteran, a former FBI agent and a member of Congress, I have dedicated my life to serving this country and defending our flag. These are experiences I had hoped to share with the students of P.O. 90.”
The Dept. of Education did not return calls seeking comment on why the congressman’s request was ignored.
“I have just one question for this principal – who exactly are we offending?” Grimm sked. “The only thing offensive about any of this is the anti-American message being engrained in our youth. We all should be proud to be American and we should never ever apologize for it.”
“It’s time we stop letting our political correctness destroy our values and American traditions, and start embracing the exceptional people and cultures that make our country great,” he added.
Grimm said Greenwood and Tate Publishing donated copies of the book, ‘God Bless the USA,’ to students and parents. They will be delivered at an after school rally Monday.
He called Greenwood and the publishing house “true patriots” and praised them for helping to “right a terrible wrong” done by the school.
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Another racist pig protected by the system.
I will gladly, and happily, pay for her one way ticket to Russia, Cuba, Venezuela, China, anywhere this commie hag wants to go. The only condition is she must renounce her US citizenship and agree to never return. Of course she'll never do it. She is a miserable excuse for a person and desperately want to drag our country down to her gutter level, like all liberals.
I'll say it. This principal is a Piece of sh1t. She has officially won the asshole of the month award.
Give her back her spear and lip plate then send her back to the dark continent.
I wonder if she is muslim..
That principal should be fired. She is so concerned over a select few, that she ignored the values of probably most of the school. This is why my kids are home schooled…they will know the value of living in the USA and that at one time we were a nation of strength and dignity, and one day soon we WILL regain that status!
Dennis Walcott, the chancellor of NYC schools, said; “You have to really wonder about some of the lyrics in the song, so I have to rely on the principal’s judgment along that line."
Which lyrics, exactly, do Mr Walcott, and this Principal have to wonder about? Perhaps they should wonder a little more about overall educational priorities and a little less about song lyrics. Infantine Politically Correct Socialists at work here.
I think I figured this out: The NYC principal read the line "Let us all be grateful for a land so fair" as one that is just rather than one that is beautiful. In NYC they don't get to see much of the nature America offers, and instead worry about how "unfair" it is to pay $60 a day to park your car.
I think I figured this out: The NYC principal read the line "Let us all be grateful for a land so fair" as one that is just rather than one that is beautiful. In NYC they don't get to see much of the nature America offers, and instead worry about how "unfair" it is to pay $60 a day to park your car.
Typical of the idiots that run America's public schools. THOSE WHO CAN'T TEACH, THOSE WHO CAN WORK, AND THOSE THAT ARE INCREDIBLY USELESS BECOME US PUBLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS! IT'S A SHAME SHE IS TOO STUPID TO REALLY KNOW AMERICAN HISTORY. She probably thinks President Obama is the first Black President. She would be wrong. He is the first ELECTED BLACK PRESIDENT, not the FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT. THAT TITLE BELONGS TO PRESIDENT JOHN HANSON. HE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PRESIDENTS BEFORE PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON!
Typical of the idiots that run America's public schools. THOSE WHO CAN'T TEACH, THOSE WHO CAN WORK, AND THOSE THAT ARE INCREDIBLY USELESS BECOME US PUBLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS! IT'S A SHAME SHE IS TOO STUPID TO REALLY KNOW AMERICAN HISTORY. She probably thinks President Obama is the first Black President. She would be wrong. He is the first ELECTED BLACK PRESIDENT, not the FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT. THAT TITLE BELONGS TO PRESIDENT JOHN HANSON. HE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PRESIDENTS BEFORE PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON!
Since when have we worried so much about what other countries and or cultures think about the united States Of America? This is the problem in this country now, everyone wants everything to be politically correct. Let's see, we have taken the paddle out of the schools, we cannot correct or punish our children (as I was done) when growing up without being threatened with DHS. We have banned prayer from schools, ball games and any public gathering event because it would offend other people and religions. We cannot have religious scenes or figures on any "State" or government property such as your local county courthouse. There is talk of removing the words "In God we trust" from our money. So hell, why not? Let's start banning music that has the words God or anything related to the United States Of America in it; Everything else has been banned. I wish to God we would finally get some lawmakers in office that really know what this country is all about and start putting things back the way they were. I'm so sick & tired of all of this "correctness".
Since when have we worried so much about what other countries and or cultures think about the united States Of America? This is the problem in this country now, everyone wants everything to be politically correct. Let's see, we have taken the paddle out of the schools, we cannot correct or punish our children (as I was done) when growing up without being threatened with DHS. We have banned prayer from schools, ball games and any public gathering event because it would offend other people and religions. We cannot have religious scenes or figures on any "State" or government property such as your local county courthouse. There is talk of removing the words "In God we trust" from our money. So hell, why not? Let's start banning music that has the words God or anything related to the United States Of America in it; Everything else has been banned. I wish to God we would finally get some lawmakers in office that really know what this country is all about and start putting things back the way they were. I'm so sick & tired of all of this "correctness".
Congratulations Congressman Grimm! You are defintely correct in saying “It’s time we stop letting our political correctness destroy our values and American traditions…". I think this teacher is WAY off the mark. Why should we worry about offending other cultures when they certainly don't care about ours. It's time that every person who lives in this country considers themselves AMERICAN FIRST.
Congratulations Congressman Grimm! You are defintely correct in saying “It’s time we stop letting our political correctness destroy our values and American traditions…". I think this teacher is WAY off the mark. Why should we worry about offending other cultures when they certainly don't care about ours. It's time that every person who lives in this country considers themselves AMERICAN FIRST.
She is a typical racist narrow-minded hater. She is a total disgrace. If she doesn't like the United States, let her leave. "offensive to other culutres." What a clueless c*ntbag.
She is a typical racist narrow-minded hater. She is a total disgrace. If she doesn't like the United States, let her leave. "offensive to other culutres." What a clueless c*ntbag.
Where is the dislike button FB? Nick W., Frank K. and Howard A., after the next election I think you 3 will be happier in another country, some place more suitable for your delicate liberal sensibilities, like China, Venezuela, Kenya exercise your right to free speech there and your other freedoms and hatred for Christianity and patriotism. Nick, I'm thinking the St. Louis Cardinals might be looking at buying Nick a Kenyan soccer jersey and season tickets and buying their jersey and cap back. I'd like you to carry a big poster stating your beliefs and feeling into a Card's game and see how long your sorry a$$ last….and you Howie baby, I can think of a couple of neighborhoods I would like to drop your sorry a$$ off in…and Frank, I just feel sorry for you. Its douches like you 3 that makes the USA more in need of God blessing the USA. The three of you and that gutless wonder from the school system and that troll of a principal plus all of the media whore leftist liberal out of touch 'celebrities' need to be loaded on a slow sinking boat to another country….I am tired of what you are trying to turn this country into.
Where is the dislike button FB? Nick W., Frank K. and Howard A., after the next election I think you 3 will be happier in another country, some place more suitable for your delicate liberal sensibilities, like China, Venezuela, Kenya exercise your right to free speech there and your other freedoms and hatred for Christianity and patriotism. Nick, I'm thinking the St. Louis Cardinals might be looking at buying Nick a Kenyan soccer jersey and season tickets and buying their jersey and cap back. I'd like you to carry a big poster stating your beliefs and feeling into a Card's game and see how long your sorry a$$ last….and you Howie baby, I can think of a couple of neighborhoods I would like to drop your sorry a$$ off in…and Frank, I just feel sorry for you. Its douches like you 3 that makes the USA more in need of God blessing the USA. The three of you and that gutless wonder from the school system and that troll of a principal plus all of the media whore leftist liberal out of touch 'celebrities' need to be loaded on a slow sinking boat to another country….I am tired of what you are trying to turn this country into.
One has to wonder how stupid the NYC Schools Chancelor is as well. Figures he'd stand by her. One also has to wonder what they're teaching those kids… probably their own agenda. The government should step in and investigate and if needed, take control of the school.
One has to wonder how stupid the NYC Schools Chancelor is as well. Figures he'd stand by her. One also has to wonder what they're teaching those kids… probably their own agenda. The government should step in and investigate and if needed, take control of the school.
She should go to someplace like North Korea and criticize patriotic songs.
She should go to someplace like North Korea and criticize patriotic songs.
November, folks. November.
November, folks. November.
How about…..resign?
How about…..resign?
Wake up America The new breadwinner in the family…
An emergency room physician told me that a woman in her late 20's came to the ER today with her 8thpregnancy. She told the first doctor she saw: "My Mama told me that I am the breadwinner for the family." He asked her to explain. She said that she can make babies, and babies get money from the State for the family. It goes like this: The Grandma calls the Department of Child & Family Services, and states that the unemployed daughter is not capable of caring for all of her kids. DCFS agrees, and tells her the children will need to go into foster care. The Grandma then volunteers to be the foster parent, and receives a check for $1500 per child each month in Illinois.
Total yearly income:
$144,000 tax-free and nobody has to go to work! In fact, they get more if there is no husband/father/man in the home! Not to mention free healthcare (Medicaid), plus a monthly card entitling them to free groceries and a voucher for 250 free Obamaphone minutes each month. This does not include WIC and other welfare benefits…that they are "entitled" to. Indeed, Grandma was correct that her fertile daughter is the "breadwinner" for the family.
This is how the liberal politicians spend our tax dollars. When this generous program was invented in the '60s, the Great Society architects forgot to craft an end date… and now we are hopelessly overrun with people who vote only for those who will continue to keep them on the dole….
No wonder our country is broke! Worse, the Muslims have been paying attention, and by mandating that each Muslim family have eleven children, they will soon replace the voting bloc above and can be running this country within 25 years. Read the above again, until it sinks in, and then ask yourself if your children, Grandchildren, and Great grandchildren will survive these severe changes to America!
Are You alarmed yet? Is anybody listening? Is this a GREATCOUNTRY or.
what.. Don't forget to pay your taxes!
There are a lot of "breadwinners" depending on you!
To contact the PRINCIPAL, GRETA HAWKINS, call the school at: 718-266-8090.
Maybe she can explain to us exactly why she felt the song was offensive.
I am not surprised how the liberals come and call all of us stupid, I mean that is how the operate, but this, as a former vet with 14 years of which 3 were spent deployed defending this country I am outraged. She should be fired and black listed for life, funny if a white teacher said we will not sing the black national anthem like they make the white kids sing in Philly Public Schools they would be racists, so sick of the double standard in this country.
There are so many things that bother me about this story. What I cannot fathom is that the Department of Education would still stand behind her even after she refused to meet with a sitting Congressman. Say what you will, but this man has enough power to do some really good things for her school and that district. It would seem to me you would absolutely want to meet with him out of respect but also to perhaps get the education agenda out there. You don't have to agree with him, and you don't have to accept what he is giving (and generously), but it could be such a wonderful opportunity to discuss education, the issues she has that perhaps more FUNDING could help, etc. Not a good idea to piss of a Congressman. She may think she's tough, but I bet if she's ruffled his feathers enough, she's going to wish she could be tough. I find it completely disrespectful to say the least. Notice I glossed over the teachers' obvious disdain for her, her making inappropriate statements before, and the decision to take that song out as it isn't "age appropriate" yet leaving Justin Bieber in. A school is only as good as those who teach in it. Seems this one is a little power hungry and working her own agenda. I don't see where that is good for anyone, teachers, students, or parents alike. I hope the parents protest. Enough voices raised can create a hostile environment for her, and maybe she will decide to go elsewhere..hopefully not at my child's school! I think it's wonderful that a Congressman is taking the time to address these issues, whether you like him or not. HE obviously has some pride in the country he represents.
The DOE reprimanded her in 2010 after teachers complained she called the school “racist” and declared: “I’m black. Your previous principal was white and Jewish. More of us are coming.”.
Sounds like Greta has some issues even prior to this song.
To contact the PRINCIPAL, GRETA HAWKINS, call the school at: 718-266-8090.
The DOE reprimanded her in 2010 after teachers complained she called the school “racist” and declared: “I’m black. Your previous principal was white and Jewish. More of us are coming.”.
Sounds like Greta has some issues even prior to this song.
To contact the PRINCIPAL, GRETA HAWKINS, call the school at: 718-266-8090.
Reverse racism has been alive and well for quite along time. In fact the most common victim of racism and sexism are white males. I work in a predominately female dominated field to begin with and my 1st job out of nursing school I worked nearly primarily with not African American but actually African nurses who were black and it was obvious how they got their jobs due to the unit manager at the time being African American and 1/2 of the the nurses were incompetent to say the least which scared me to do death and always forced me to dbl and triple check the care and orders that I should have been able to be trust as supposedly being checked properly yet the daytime shift manager signed off on an order for lasix for a patient written for every 12hrs yet it was put into the drug system as every 2 hrs and then when I wrote up the incident I was called on the carpet for outting the guilty party (even though it was near miss and didn't reach the patient). We as nurses takes our jobs seriously and the sad truth is I truly believe in at least had it been any of 1/3 of the staff on duty had that patient never would have questioned and just would have saw the medication orders in the system and go on about it and probably killed the patient through shear incompetence.
Reverse racism has been alive and well for quite along time. In fact the most common victim of racism and sexism are white males. I work in a predominately female dominated field to begin with and my 1st job out of nursing school I worked nearly primarily with not African American but actually African nurses who were black and it was obvious how they got their jobs due to the unit manager at the time being African American and 1/2 of the the nurses were incompetent to say the least which scared me to do death and always forced me to dbl and triple check the care and orders that I should have been able to be trust as supposedly being checked properly yet the daytime shift manager signed off on an order for lasix for a patient written for every 12hrs yet it was put into the drug system as every 2 hrs and then when I wrote up the incident I was called on the carpet for outting the guilty party (even though it was near miss and didn't reach the patient). We as nurses takes our jobs seriously and the sad truth is I truly believe in at least had it been any of 1/3 of the staff on duty had that patient never would have questioned and just would have saw the medication orders in the system and go on about it and probably killed the patient through shear incompetence.
This principal is an disgrace to educators everywhere and should be fired immediately! If I were a parent at that school my child would be gone immediately after that happened and either home-schooled next year or moved to a private school.People like this woman are why parents are gradually losing faith in the public education system of this country.
No wonder the education system is failing with people like this in charge. Toss out tenure and the unions and these incompetent morons would no longer have a place to hide. Then we will see an educational system where we finally get what we are paying for.
The parents should have their own ceremony without this crazy. Leave her to sit alone in the auditorium listening to bieber by herself.
Zexks,
1) She banned the Bieber song BEFORE she banned the second song….
2) The parents of the students at this school support her decision….
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/17/nyregion/greta-hawkins-a-principal-trampled-in-the-rush-to-vilify.html?_r=1
Facts are fun! You should try them sometime!
Howard Aubrey
Where does it state that the parents were behind her, all I read was a typical response by the NYT on par with their left leaning views.
"Nearly every parent I spoke to", really that could have been like 2, omg get the facts right
Dennis Walcott, the chancellor of NYC schools, stated: “You have to really wonder about some of the lyrics in the song,".
Appears this is a case of dumb and dumber. What are the lyrics that Mr Walcott has to "really wonder about?" "God bless the USA?" All of the lyrics are at http://www.scoutsongs.com/lyrics/proudtobeamerican.html. I personally can't determine the lyrics that cause Mr Walcott to "really wonder about." Can you?
Doesn't Hawkins work in AMERICA?
We are seeing a trend in public schools all over the country where to be patriotic is offensive, to be Christian is offensive, to believe in rights is offensive but to praise Obama is ideal, promote alternative lifestyles is the norm, traditional families is somehow antiquated, and to promote big government is preferred. History has shown one of the first steps in creating a dictatorship is to brainwash the children and have them report their parents.
This is the same lady who tried to end the tradition of Pledge of Allegiance and singing of “America the Beautiful” each morning, a couple years ago but Thank "GOD" the staff objected.
She is also a Jehovah’s Witness, she does not recite the pledge because her religion forbids followers to salute any nation’s flag. Staffers gripe she doesn’t stand in respect during the school-wide ritual. Hawkins has been called a tyrant and bully by some staffers. She was also "REPRIMENDED" by the DOE in 2010 after teachers complained she called the school “racist” and declared: “I’m black. Your previous principal was white and Jewish. More of us are coming.
So who is the racist? Who is trying to force her religion on others? I think she is a Racist, Unpatriotic, Unworthy to be a Principal and yes I agree she should move to a Country like Cuba or Venezuela along with Howard Aubrey they will be perfect for each other.
Wait a minute….. Lee Greenwood songs are "too complex" for 5 year old's but teaching 10 and 11 year old's how to give and receive oral sex along with anal sodomy isn't "too complex"? Give me a God Blessed break! Is there any limit to the ignorance of "Progressive" agenda?
Brian, the parents all received a copy of the sex ed curriculum at the beginning of the school year with the option to decline the program for their children…
Your argument is ludicrous….
Issa be one of those scooling pinsipals a issa going to set tha rulz hear.
The principal is paid by the taxpayers.
I suggest put it to a vote. Only parents of children in attendance may vote.
Let the will of the people be known.
Will the song be allowed? Vote yes or no.
Should the principal be dismissed? Vote yes or no.
Power to the people.
Time for a new "principal"!
I am so fed up with this crap. How about offending us! This is our Country, If other cultures, don't like it. Tough. Tell them to go back where they came from. This Teacher must be a Socialist, or Communist. Apparently, It offends this woman. But it's time to stop this crap. We are Americans and We want our children to be proud of America. Anyone else who can't handle our Patriot Songs, or ways, Leave America now! Enough is Enough. I have had it with all these outsiders, Socialist, Communist, and Muslims. If We Americans offend you people, oh well, This is our Country, If you feel you are being singled out, Then by all means Grow Up! Get Over it, or Get Out! THIS IS OUR COUNTRY. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND AMERICANS!
Send that ole hide to Afganistan to live. she doesn't need to be a principal to children.
Why did she snub Rep. Grimm? Is she afraid she might learn a point of view of someone else? She seems to be imposing her belief on our kids, with the approval of the State of New York Ed.Dept.. We all grew up learning about the founding of our country, singing kid friendly patriotic songs, maybe we were in parades and such. Please, without calling me a nasty name, tell me how that oppressed us as kids.
AND another thing…This may be a bit off topic, but it is in regard to this country and its relationship to "religion". To the atheists on this thread, just how do YOU explain the creation, foundation, successful revolution of this country? How do you explain the success of our society, imperfect as it is? I mean this to be a point of thoughtful discussion. We, as a country did not just crawl out of the swamp of 'evolution' and decide to be a country based on freedom. We certainly had to have some outside force allowing such development. Also, to those on here posting nasty, racist comments about Madam Principal, please stop. They have no place in a civilized discussion. Thank you.
Lrt's see, she doesn't like patriotic songs. She doesn't like Congressmen who are veterans. I bet she likes the taxpayer money her school gets, though.
Lrt's see, she doesn't like patriotic songs. She doesn't like Congressmen who are veterans. I bet she likes the taxpayer money her school gets, though.