Slog
News & ArtsSunday, December 4, 2011
LGBTQITSLFA School Removes "Gay" From "Deck the Halls"
Posted by Dan Savage on Sun, Dec 4, 2011 at 9:38 PM
Someone had to straighten out that carol—can't have children donning gay apparel.
Says Slog tipper Nicole:
Cherry Knoll Elementary School, of which I am an alumna, is removing the word 'gay' from Deck The Halls at the children's Christmas concert. Please bring some attention to this issue! As far as I can find there has been no local press coverage, but you can see outrage from some community members at the school's Facebook page. Information to contact the school's administrators can be found here.
1
A link to the news article or something other than the FB page of the school would be nice. You know...so we don't just see people's reactions.
8
It's not homophobic, it's commercialism. They're gonna sing "Don we now American Apparel", which is pretty gay.
9
Isn't this from one of those states where it's not OK to use the word "gay" in any context in schools?
Perhaps they can use "Takei" instead.
Perhaps they can use "Takei" instead.
11
Some replacments included:
fey
homosexual
american
straight
but ultimately they decided on:
winter holiday
fey
homosexual
american
straight
but ultimately they decided on:
winter holiday
12
This is why I'm not allowed to stop taking my anti-depressants. Because for some reason, my mind is telling me that this is an elaborate troll against me. This amount of stupidity is not possible, therefore it has to be a ruse to make me think that everyone around me is incompetent one-hundred percent of the time. There is no other rational explanation for this. Psychiatrist telling me I'm paranoid? I'll show her this and then maybe now she'll finally see what I mean.
13
(a) I think they changed it to "bright," judging from an FB comment or two. ("Homosexual" has too many syllables, but if they're changing the words they could change the tune too...)
(b) I don't think there's a news article [yet?], just a lot of pissed-off parents/students/alumni.
(b) I don't think there's a news article [yet?], just a lot of pissed-off parents/students/alumni.
15
@14 Because obviously, Xmas is a Christian holiday, and since g_y is the antithesis of Christianity, taking the g_ay out of Xmas can only make it Xmas Xtreme, therefore making it more Xmas-y.
16
Don we now Takei apparel . . . yup, it scans.
I'm somewhat reassured to see that parents at Cherry Knoll seem to have sense, even if the music staff doesn't.
I'm somewhat reassured to see that parents at Cherry Knoll seem to have sense, even if the music staff doesn't.
17
You'd think backwards cultural holdouts would relish what is likely one of the best opportunities to "re-appropriate" the word.
19
@8: LOL. The funding for our schools has to come from somewhere in these hard times...
Also, since when does Slog have that "commenting is only available to registered commenters" notice? (Not that I mind, necessarily...)
Also, since when does Slog have that "commenting is only available to registered commenters" notice? (Not that I mind, necessarily...)
21
@19, it seems to only be on threads where the trolls tend to spit the most vitriol. It's working, kinda, except they're apparently just responding off topic in other threads now.
22
a good protest would be for students to sing the song in a whisper and then sing the word "gay" as loudly as possible.
23
Meh. More "zero tolerance" bullshit, like the cases where kids got expelled for having a plastic butter knife or a bottle of aspirin. Apparently, you need to check your brain at the door when you enter a school these days.
24
@14, coincidentally, that was exactly my first thought. Synchronicity! :-)
Well, after de-N-wording Huckleberry Finn, now we d-G-word Christmas carrols. All in the old tradition of thinking we solve problems by eliminating the words that refer to them. Because obviously gays will go away (or at least children won't turn gay) if they aren't exposed to the word, right?
Well, after de-N-wording Huckleberry Finn, now we d-G-word Christmas carrols. All in the old tradition of thinking we solve problems by eliminating the words that refer to them. Because obviously gays will go away (or at least children won't turn gay) if they aren't exposed to the word, right?
30
When I was a kid *mumble* years ago, the school version we sang was "Don we know our bright apparel." From what I've seen, this is a very common alternative and has been for decades.
31
Maybe they watched that "Don't Say Gay!" video where the kid bitch slaps the other kid, and were afraid of the third graders bitch slapping each other.
32
The same thing was done decades ago to "Jingle Bells," to the point where now hardly anyone even realizes anymore that the lyrics were changed.
You know this bit?
"Bells on bob tails ring
Making Spirits Bright
Oh what fun it is to sing
a sleighing song tonight."
Bit weird how that stanza doesn't end on ""Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh" like the others, isn't it?
Hmm... I wonder what other word may have been in the original... What rhymes with "sleigh" and fits the meaning in "making spirits ___"?
Yep. That.
Yet you never see anyone protest that change. (I always sing the original, but in a group, that just makes it sound like I don't know the lyrics.)
You know this bit?
"Bells on bob tails ring
Making Spirits Bright
Oh what fun it is to sing
a sleighing song tonight."
Bit weird how that stanza doesn't end on ""Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh" like the others, isn't it?
Hmm... I wonder what other word may have been in the original... What rhymes with "sleigh" and fits the meaning in "making spirits ___"?
Yep. That.
Yet you never see anyone protest that change. (I always sing the original, but in a group, that just makes it sound like I don't know the lyrics.)
33
So, I guess what we’ve seen here is that this school’s music department is so obsessed with sex between people of the same gender that its faculty can’t even see the word “gay” without getting so hot and bothered they have to censor a Christmas carol for relief. Because, they insist, this Christmas carol forces—FORCES—people think about gay sex so effectively, it has to be stopped at all costs. And those costs are pretty clear. They’ve completely failed in their job of, you know, educating kids both in the (really not very complicated) complexities of language and in the ability to perceive and comprehend reality. All because GAY SEX is so dire and important that everyone must constantly search for it EVERYWHERE. We’ve GOT to find the GAY SEX, people! We’ve just got to.
34
It looks from the FB page as though they have reversed their decision. Public outcry sometimes works!
35
Umm, Sketch, perhaps you might be mistaken about the original Jingle Bells lyrics. The Library of Congress's copy of the original 1857 lyrics clearly says "making spirits bright."
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?col…
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?col…
36
If any of you would bother to read The Gay Agenda, you would see on page 187, paragraph 3, line 10, the clear statement of removing the word "Gay" from everything but Marriage.
38
I guess that term just poked at them. Then, they had a stroke of genius: It might suck, but they could take the word right out, couldn't they? In or out, what difference would it make, who would even notice? They would pump their fists with pride into the air as the world noticed they had omitted the word gay. They would wad up the old lyrics, then shoot for a new standard. The media would come, just as they had in the past, repeatedly. The liberals would moan. Each liberal jerk would have to just take it, even as liberal ladies tug on their pearl necklaces in consternation. Conservatives everywhere will ejaculate with joy and rapture!
42
@32: Only the chorus ends in "a one-horse open sleigh". The second verse also does not end that way: "...and then we got upsot."
44
Good god, they went after the wrong part! "Gay apparel" is positively right-wing compared to the fruitiness of all those fa la la la las.
45
This is where political correctness gets ridiculous. When that song was written, gay actually meant happy. And how is removing the word gay from this old song going to help poeple learn to accept the homo's? This is why I hate most activists.
48
The school might have done this 1. to straightwash the song (which is odd because gay didn't mean homosexual back when it was written) or 2. because the word "gay" was making all the students giggle and causing a big distraction.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think they should change the song. At the very least, "don we now our gay apparel" teaches kids that words can change meaning over time, but this might not be an anti-gay issue.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think they should change the song. At the very least, "don we now our gay apparel" teaches kids that words can change meaning over time, but this might not be an anti-gay issue.
49
I'd like to see a citation; do we know that they removed it for homophobic reasons or because they are trying to stop the use of the phrase "that's so gay". It's still wrong and misguided. Even elementary school kids can understand the difference between it's fine to say gay as a statement but not as an insult. But I think their reasoning matters. Does anyone know?
50
@49, that's a fair question. I'll second that. Does anyone know what reason/rationale was given for removing the word? What were they trying to do, in their own words?
51
Well... might as well update ALL holiday songs.
"Over the viaduct and through the 'Urbs, to grandma's hospice we go
The GPS knows the way as dad drives the Chevrolet through black-ice and drifts of snow"
"Over the viaduct and through the 'Urbs, to grandma's hospice we go
The GPS knows the way as dad drives the Chevrolet through black-ice and drifts of snow"
52
At the University of Virginia, there was a small ripple of malcontents (read: keg-standing, homophobic frat boys and the conservative Christian ilk that became their all-too-eager political bedfellows) that wanted to change the school song, which used the word "gay"--obviously in the happy and merry context. They opined that it was appropriate for them to sing "NOT GAY" whenever the "GAY" word came up in the song, especially at football games (since watching sweaty men tackle each other was obviously the least gay activity in the world). Needless to say, they were shut down from every level of the school and called out rather explicitly for being exactly what they were--hateful little creatures trying to change school traditions to suit their own irrational fears. The last time some brave handful of boys sang "NOT GAY" at a football game, they were booed and ridiculed so fiercely they had to leave. I've never been more proud of my alma mater.
54
Santa's fixation on a derogatory term for a sex worker should be updated. "Ho Ho Ho is being replaced with Ha Ha Ha. The alternative of He He He was deemed sexist and rejected."
56
Anyways an article stated it was the decision of a single teacher in response to kids reacting like immature kids do.
He probably should have just powered through it, but hardly indicative of institutionalized homophobia.
He probably should have just powered through it, but hardly indicative of institutionalized homophobia.
58
Yep just looks like the teacher was annoyed by the giggling. I'm sure there are teachers that make sure they say rooster, donkey & Richard just to avoid the interruption. It would have been better to address it by making them stop or by completely ignoring it so the kids got over it. But I can totally see the appeal of avoiding it by changing the word.
It's not the right way to address it (and now it's even more tantalizing and funny to the kids), but it's doesn't sounded motivated by hate.
It's not the right way to address it (and now it's even more tantalizing and funny to the kids), but it's doesn't sounded motivated by hate.
59
My sister’s a teacher. When they learn the planets she makes all the kids spend the first minute of the lesson chanting “Uranus! Uranus!” to get it out of their systems so they can move on to the actual big ball of gas without getting goofy.
62
Ah, KALISKA.
You're really doing good work.
And engaging with people. Because, obviously, you care!
And so full of really convincing arguments!
And such deep understanding of the issues!
Your momma must be really proud of you!
I'm sure you're a very happy person.
Keep up the good work! Enjoy it! After all, what more is there to life than making fun of others?
You're really doing good work.
And engaging with people. Because, obviously, you care!
And so full of really convincing arguments!
And such deep understanding of the issues!
Your momma must be really proud of you!
I'm sure you're a very happy person.
Keep up the good work! Enjoy it! After all, what more is there to life than making fun of others?
63
Teacher needs to look up the word in a dictionary. Putting a sexual spin on every word in the english language is soo stupid and a disservice to the children he teaches.
64
This teacher needs to look up the word in a dictionary. He does a disservice to his students by putting sexual conotations on words where they do not exist. I suppose he also objects to the use of the word black as a crayon in the kids boxes. This PC thing has gotten out of hand.
65
Yeah, but have you ever had to direct an elementary school choir full of prepubescent fourth- and fifth-grade boys? Maybe replacing the word 'gay' was just some poor music teacher's vain hope of getting through each rehearsal without it devolving into a mob-sized version of Beavis & Butthead. As a former elementary school music teacher myself (and a former fourth-grader), I can commiserate.
66
Get real half the kids are probably singing something like don we now archaic peril. Have you ever listened to what kids actually sing in silent night? Now he has cemented the sexual context of a simple english word. Better choice read the definition from the dictionary to his class then tell them that is the meaning of the word in this context it is called teaching after all. How do you people manage to teach the colors in spanish if you're that PC?
67
Being a teacher, wouldn't it have been within the scope of her job to tell these kids just how that word was used in the time period in which the song was written---no wonder our kids know nothing .
68
Just to play devil's advocate, and having vague memories of being an elementary-school kid, it's possible that they removed the "gay" from the carol to prevent UNCONTROLLABLE BURSTS OF LAUGHTER in the middle of a performance from the child carollers.
70
@44
HA! that reminds me of one time when I was a lad, my friends and I were driving around listening to the Smiths. after "Sheila Take A Bow", I had to put my foot down and ask "wait, did he say 'I'm a girl and you're a boy'?!", which my buddy responded "yeah, and he said also said "la la la-la-la-la la la...'" with so much disgust you could taste it in the air. we loved that band, but never that song.
HA! that reminds me of one time when I was a lad, my friends and I were driving around listening to the Smiths. after "Sheila Take A Bow", I had to put my foot down and ask "wait, did he say 'I'm a girl and you're a boy'?!", which my buddy responded "yeah, and he said also said "la la la-la-la-la la la...'" with so much disgust you could taste it in the air. we loved that band, but never that song.
71
Asshole move, Dan. Really, really disappointing. And to everyone else who jumped on the bandwagon, way to be just as dumb and bigoted as the people you're so outraged by.
Did you read the news story? You might want to. The teacher's intention (which no one seems to care about) was to stop the giggling every time the first and second graders sang the line. Did SHE teach them to giggle? Did SHE teach them that "gay" is somehow taboo or derogatory? Did SHE create the actual problem?
She probably didn't handle it ideally - but I taught much older kids (and frankly, you've never taught at all - way to condemn someone doing a job you probably couldn't). I could come right out and say things like, "Hey, if Shakespeare wants to use the word 'whore,' he says 'whore." Not 'ho'. Everybody laugh now and get it out of your system." With little ones, I might say, "In this song, the word 'gay' means 'festive or happy.' Now shut up and sing or no recess." I don't know. I wasn't there.
What I DO know is that as a teacher I'm inclined to give this woman the benefit of the doubt as to this specific situation. Maybe she's not very good at classroom management. Maybe she felt caught between the liberal shriekers and the conservative bitchers.
Did you read the news story? You might want to. The teacher's intention (which no one seems to care about) was to stop the giggling every time the first and second graders sang the line. Did SHE teach them to giggle? Did SHE teach them that "gay" is somehow taboo or derogatory? Did SHE create the actual problem?
She probably didn't handle it ideally - but I taught much older kids (and frankly, you've never taught at all - way to condemn someone doing a job you probably couldn't). I could come right out and say things like, "Hey, if Shakespeare wants to use the word 'whore,' he says 'whore." Not 'ho'. Everybody laugh now and get it out of your system." With little ones, I might say, "In this song, the word 'gay' means 'festive or happy.' Now shut up and sing or no recess." I don't know. I wasn't there.
What I DO know is that as a teacher I'm inclined to give this woman the benefit of the doubt as to this specific situation. Maybe she's not very good at classroom management. Maybe she felt caught between the liberal shriekers and the conservative bitchers.
72
@71
your third paragraph does an excellent job of illustrating what should have occurred. kids have been giggling at that song for fucking ever, it's the teacher's job to ignore the stupidity and get kids to focus. it's not the teacher's job to alter the lyrics of a song they're teaching in class simply to avoid awkwardness. as if they aren't aware that someone somewhere is gonna throw a fit. the teacher's actions show how little comprehension they possess when it comes to American hysteria and they should clearly be put to death for their transgression. or mocked in a blog. whatever...
your third paragraph does an excellent job of illustrating what should have occurred. kids have been giggling at that song for fucking ever, it's the teacher's job to ignore the stupidity and get kids to focus. it's not the teacher's job to alter the lyrics of a song they're teaching in class simply to avoid awkwardness. as if they aren't aware that someone somewhere is gonna throw a fit. the teacher's actions show how little comprehension they possess when it comes to American hysteria and they should clearly be put to death for their transgression. or mocked in a blog. whatever...
73
I'm with 48, 68, and 69. It's just a song, the words aren't sacred. The word "gay" in the song had nothing to do with homosexuality except in the minds of second graders, who giggled as they sang it. It seems to me the teacher had a few choices. She could:
1) pick a different song
2) change the word
3) spend all her time teaching "tolerance" or "linguistic history" and never get around to teaching music, which was probably her job.
I think either 1 or 2 is a perfectly good choice.
And @71, I guess I'm just older than you, but when we sang that song in elementary school, we all knew the word "gay" (a common girl's name meaning "happy") but stumbled over "don" and "apparel".
1) pick a different song
2) change the word
3) spend all her time teaching "tolerance" or "linguistic history" and never get around to teaching music, which was probably her job.
I think either 1 or 2 is a perfectly good choice.
And @71, I guess I'm just older than you, but when we sang that song in elementary school, we all knew the word "gay" (a common girl's name meaning "happy") but stumbled over "don" and "apparel".
74
There's a band, Theocracy, who aside from rocking musically, is ultimately a triumphalist ur-right band, befitting their name. In their rendition of Deck The Halls, they say "don we now our spikes and leather -- (much better than gay apparel, ugh)." Glad it was a free download, because I'd regret giving them money.
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