Hi Neil...
I really believe that a whole segment of this nation, specifically that part that sits south of the Mason Dixon, just cannot get over the fact that a black man is now the Chief Executive of the United States.
While I certainly feel that there are probably some people in this nation who dislike President Obama merely on the basis of his race, I don't think that this is reflective of Janice, Ginny or anyone else here at SermonIndex. In fact, racism is quite the taboo in society today. A recent Pew study conducted in the weeks before and after the election actually showed that Barack Obama's racial diversity actually HELPED his status amongst voters.
I am disappointed that some individuals (like Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton) have recently assumed the worst in regard to racism from people who have been participating in rallies or who have publicly questioned some of the President's policies. Many of these protesters are merely in opposition to some of the president's specific policies. There is little indication that race plays much of a role in any of these individuals' motivation. I have heard the accusations that there are "racially explicit" posters and signs found at many of these rallies. However, I have scanned through many of the AP, Reuters and news media photographs looking for any such signs...but I haven't seen a single one (surprising, because a media that largely embraces the president would probably showcase them). Yet, the "race card" is still being raised by several high ranking diplomats.
Regardless, I am sure that there are still some nasty people out there who dislike the president on the basis of his race. Yet, I don't think that is reflective of most of these individuals...let alone anyone here on SermonIndex. I think that you might be reading between the lines just a little too much in Janice's words. It is entirely possible to strongly disagree with the President's words, policies, and goals WITHOUT being motivated by race whatsoever. In addition, it is possible that someone can be upset about this particular topic, in which a group of young school children were required to sing a couple of praising ditties about a sitting President, without being motivated by the color of the man's skin.
I disagree with President Obama on quite a few issues. Of course, he is still the President of the nation in which God has placed me. I will show him respect for the office that he serves while still urging him (and others) to change the political policies that he (and they) might embrace -- such as pro-abortion policies, embrace of homosexual marriage, or even universal health care. No one should mistake such a disagreement as a reflection of racism.
My wife and I are both disappointed with the decision by this school to have children sing the songs. My wife, who has been a public school teacher for over five years, was shocked to hear the words of the song. Even in Texas, her public school rejected any sort of pro-Bush partisan statements during his presidency. She said that they would have NEVER permitted a song like the ones sang by the children in this school to have been sung in the name of President Bush.
Here are the lyrics to both of the songs:
[b]Song 1:[/b]
Mm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said that all must lend a hand
To make this country strong again
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said we must be fair today
Equal work means equal pay
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said that we must take a stand
To make sure everyone gets a chance
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said red, yellow, black or white
All are equal in his sight
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
Yes!
Mmm, mmm, mm
Barack Hussein Obama
[b]Song 2:[/b]
Hello, Mr. President we honor you today!
For all your great accomplishments, we all doth say "hooray!"
Hooray, Mr. President! You're number one!
The first black American to lead this great nation!
Hooray, Mr. President we honor your great plans
To make this country's economy number one again!
Hooray Mr. President, we're really proud of you!
And we stand for all Americans under the great Red, White, and Blue!
So continue ---- Mr. President we know you'll do the trick
So here's a hearty hip-hooray ----
Hip, hip hooray!
Hip, hip hooray!
Hip, hip hooray!
Now, these songs are silly little ditties...but are certainly partisan in nature. The first silly song could be construed as possibly praising Marxian socialism -- straight out of ANIMAL FARM -- with its lyrics about "[i]equal work means equal pay[/i]." The second song, with lyrics that read, "[i]Hello, Mr. President [b]we honor you[/b] today...,[/i]" "[i]Hooray, Mr. President [b]we honor your great plans[/b][/i]...," "[i]So continue ---- Mr. President we know you'll do the trick[/i]..." and "[i]Hooray, Mr. President! You're number one[/i]!" -- just reeks of institutional propaganda.
Race really has nothing to do with our concern about requiring children to sing such a song. My wife told me that it literally reminded her of Soviet Union, 1930s Germany and various third world nations that have required children to sing the praises of their dictators. Of course, the President and his administration didn't have anything to do with these crazy lyrics or the requirement of children to participate in these songs of praise. The song was probably written by some well-meaning teachers who really like the President. However, I don't think that such a partisan song should be required by anyone -- especially young, impressionable children. I also don't think that it should surprise anyone that, given the current divisive nature of politics and policy, some parents would be highly upset by it.
I hope that this makes a little sense.
