International superstar Dolly Parton (image via Instagram)A Wisconsin school has prohibited first graders from singing the Dolly Parton/Miley Cyrus song “Rainbowland,” at this year’s spring concert, calling the tune too “controversial.”
The song, which celebrates acceptance, includes lyrics like:
Living in a Rainbowland
The skies are blue and things are grand
Wouldn’t it be nice to live in paradise
Where we’re free to be exactly who we are
The lyrics also imagine places “Where you and I go hand in hand…”
The 1979 song “Rainbow Connection” from The Muppet Movie nearly got the ax as well.
The song, which includes lyrics like “wouldn't it be nice to live in paradise. Where we're free to be exactly who we are,” has been deemed too "controversial" for first graders to sing.
https://t.co/fyRJ5LG1Ut— VICE (@VICE) March 27, 2023
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It started earlier this month, when a first grader was brainstorming songs to perform for the spring concert at Heyer Elementary. Her mother, Sarah Schindler, said that her list included “Rainbowland,” as well as Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” and Kermit the Frog’s “Rainbow Connection.”
A few days later, the girl told her mother that she was not allowed to sing “Rainbow Connection” or “Rainbowland.”
“Rainbow Connection” was ultimately allowed, but the Dolly Parton song wasn’t, according to a teacher with the school district.
In a statement sent to VICE News, Kelly Piacsek, the Waukesha school board’s president, said that the song “could be deemed controversial” in accordance with the district’s “Controversial Issues in the Classroom” policy.
Read the full report here.
Related: Dolly Parton Praises Lil Nas X’s ‘Jolene’
In that rainbows are the common thread between the two songs, and the LGBTQ Pride flag is comprised of a rainbow, I’m guessing it’s now considered too “dangerous” for kids to even sing about a rainbow. #smh
A Twitter user called the song part of the “gay agenda,” and this first grade teacher clapped back.
My first graders were so excited to sing Rainbowland for our spring concert but it has been vetoed by our administration. When will it end? @waukeshaschools @DollyParton @MileyCyrus @mileyworld @gsafewi @CivilRights #publicschools pic.twitter.com/8Na0nETmDw
— Maestra Melissa (@melissatempel) March 21, 2023
That’s ridiculous. The gay agenda is much too long to fit down anyone’s throat!
— Maestra Melissa (@melissatempel) March 28, 2023