An elementary school in Wisconsin made headlines when people found out that an administrator cut the students’ performance of the song Rainbowland from its spring concert repertoire after they deemed it “inappropriate.”
Students from the Heyer Elementary School in Waukesha, Wisconsin, went home disappointed after an administrator deemed the song, which they were reportedly very excited about performing, unsuitable for a school performance.
The song was removed from the spring concert set list despite the fact that the students had already planned and rehearsed it.
Melissa Tempel, a teacher at the school, was excited when she heard Rainbowland was among the songs her students would perform, so she played it for them, and the students fell in love with the catchy tune.
Rainbowland is a duet by singer Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton, her godmother, from Cyrus’ album “Younger Now,” which was released in 2017.
Waukesha School District Superintendent, Jim Sebert, confirmed the ban, saying that a school board policy had determined that Rainbowland could be seen as controversial.
Sebert said that the district had questioned whether the song was appropriate for the kids’ age and maturity level and also what he termed as the “social and personal impacts” on the children.
The school also initially cut Rainbow Connection, by Kermit the Frog, popularized by The Muppet Movie. The song was, however, reinstated after parents complained to the school administration.
When the song was released, Cyrus and Parton said Rainbowland was not about sexual orientation but rather about kindness and acceptance of people from all genders, races and religions. They said it was about encouraging people to come together despite their differences.