King Obama?

Earlier this year, second-graders at B. Bernice Young Elementary School in Burlington, New Jersey were instructed to sing songs of praise regarding President Obama. Although the students sang the songs in February as a part of Black History Month, the video of the children singing was just recently discovered by many on YouTube, and as a result, was featured on Foxnews.com.

In one of the songs, the students repeatedly chant, “Mmm mmm mm, Barack Hussein Obama” and also make a reference to the religious song “Jesus Loves the Little Children” by saying, “He said red, yellow, black or white, all are equal in his sight.” Many parents and school board and community members were outraged, calling it “indoctrination.” Others, however, such as Andrea Ciemnolonski, believed that it was simply an appreciation for Black History Month, although some of the lyrics were a little “exuberant.”

Furthermore, viewers of the footage posted on YouTube were also outraged, some of which even sent death threats to the school’s principal, which resulted in the school being placed temporarily on lockdown.

“Praising” Obama may or may not be the right word to describe what the students were doing by singing these songs. It doesn’t really seem like the children are “worshiping” or “hailing” Obama, but here’s the problem: We live in America. Therefore, we have a president, not a king. We do not have to sing songs about him. We do not have to do dances for him, or any other nonsense. He does not rule over us. He rules for us. However, if we want to do any of these things, we are free to. But these kids didn’t have much of a choice. They were doing what they were told.

Politics does not belong in an elementary school. As one of the grandparents of the children says, “This has no place in the classroom.” Young kids should not be putting on plays or musical performances about political issues or figures. The teachers and administration should be concerned with teaching the students the basic subjects of school, not political matters that are meant to be discussed and debated by adults. Not only is it already inappropriate for young children, but the children’s parents or guardians may not even support Obama. And by telling them to sing songs in favor of President Obama, it violates the rights people have as parents to teach their children certain values and beliefs.

Also, just like school officials can no longer talk about God or promote any type of religion, the same should go for political opinions. And by allowing the students at the school to sing songs in support of President Obama, it gives them the impression that they should support him too, with which some parents may not agree. When this video was made, in February, recently elected President Obama had only been in office for a few weeks, so he most likely had very few accomplishments as President anyway.

No other president has been praised and/or celebrated in school, especially while still in office, and it should stay that way. If you want to express you political opinion, do so through a different method. Don’t bring the kids into it.


By: Kirsten Robinson