Teacher suspended for playing song about being gay

[Katsumoto]

SOUTH LYON, Mich. (WJBK) -- A South Lyon performing arts teacher hit a low note with school officials. She was suspended without pay for playing a song about being gay during class.

It was like any other day at South Lyon's Centennial Middle School. Inside Ms. Johnson's eighth grade performing arts class. Last Wednesday, a student asked if he could play a song.

"I asked him a few questions about the song. If it was violent, if there was any profanity, and he said no. And I said this sounds like a great song to go ahead and use for the class," said Susan Johnson.

The song is called "Same Love" written in support of same sex marriage. Underground rapper Ben Maclemore tackles the dangers of hate and stereotypes by showing the struggle of a homosexual man from birth to death. As Johnson listened to the song, she said she thought to herself this was something her students could learn from.

"This is one of the things in my school that we're trying to practice and we're trying to instill in our students is tolerance to diversity," she explained.

However, another student in class didn't agree with the lyrics, went to the office and complained. Before the school day ended, Johnson claims the principal and assistant superintendent told her she was suspended indefinitely without pay.

"I don't think that it was really even thought through," she said. "I was paralyzed. I really didn't understand why I was being suspended."

Assistant Superintendent Melissa Baker didn't care to elaborate.

"No one is going to have a comment for you. We don't go on camera here in South Lyon," she said.

"I'm very disappointed in the bias, the bigotry that I feel that they're really hiding behind," said Johnson.

During a closed door meeting, Johnson found out she would be suspended a total of three days, not paid for two.

Baker gave Johnson paperwork to explain why. The district claims the song had controversial content -- homosexuality, religion, politics views and a sexual slur. It also says she should have asked permission to play the song.

"I really love my kids and I never want to hurt them, but I also know that there's a lot of bullying and there's a lot of gay bashing and racial issues going on in our country and I want the kids to feel comfortable in my class no matter who they are," Johnson said.

Johnson told us the ACLU and Affirmation, the LGBT support group, are both getting involved. Johnson may be headed back to work on Thursday, but it seems this is far from over.

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/20...bout-being-gay

The song in question:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlVBg7_08n0

I'm curious as to what TWC thinks of this story. I think it's disappointing to see a school, a place that is supposed to faciliate discussion and expand the knowledge and understanding of its students, simply shut down a possible debate on one of the more controversial topics of the day just because some student felt offended. While gay-marriage is being legalised in Maine, Maryland and Washington and the Supreme Court considers the claim that the Consitution gives people the right to marry regardless of sexual orientation, you have teachers being suspended without pay for merely allowing a song about 'same love' being played.

Macklemore, the writer of the song, also made a comment:

I believe that Ms. Johnson getting suspended is completely out of line and unjust. However, I think it’s important for moments like these to be exposed and for us to pay attention and respond. This level of intolerance and fear is still very active in America, but at times is not completely visible. This incident is just one of tens of thousands that have happened across the country where schools have exposed a latent homophobia, preventing safe space for all young people to feel confident in being themselves. It’s clear that Ms. Johnson felt bullying and “gay bashing” were issues that needed to be addressed, and by doing so, was punished.

I wrote the song “Same Love,” not with the expectation that it would cure homophobia and lead to marriage equality across the US (although that’d be awesome). It was written with the hope that it would facilitate dialogue and through those conversations understanding and empathy would emerge. This incident demonstrates how too often we are quick to silence conversations that must be had. Even if people disagree, there is far more potential for progress when people are vocal and honestly expressing their thoughts about gay rights. When we are silent and avoid the issue, fear and hatred have a far greater life span.

It’s discouraging that a song about love and civil rights has led to a teacher getting suspended from her job. But that’s where we are at. For those of us who get a pit in our stomach when reading a story like this, it just makes it abundantly clear there is far more work to be done.

[Himster]

If it had a sexual slur she should have asked permission.
I'm an art teacher and I have to ask permission to show nudity to students under 15, were these students under 15?

Being suspended without pay is a bit much though. But it is possible that this wasn't the first time.

[Valden]

If it had a sexual slur she should have asked permission.
I'm an art teacher and I have to ask permission to show nudity to students under 15, were these students under 15?

Being suspended without pay is a bit much though. But it is possible that this wasn't the first time.

I think -as Himster says- the age of the students is important. Say you start a debate about homosexuality and the class turn it into a joke, and a homosexual child at the back of the room then suffers emotionally because of it? Kids can turn most things into a joke, and a lack of maturity also means a lack of sensitivity, which is so important when discussing such things.

[LSJ]

You can't expose children to homosexuality - you're supposed to pretend it doesn't exist and treat gay people as outcasts so that the kids will react to homosexuality with disgust and mocking, hateful words and actions.

You have to breed hate in them when they're young so it sticks. That way they can prepare their own children for a lifetime of discriminating against people over trivial things. What world would we live in if we accepted other people? A peaceful productive world? Is that really what you want for your kids?

[removeduser_4536284751384]

I think -as Himster says- the age of the students is important. Say you start a debate about homosexuality and the class turn it into a joke, and a homosexual child at the back of the room then suffers emotionally because of it? Kids can turn most things into a joke, and a lack of maturity also means a lack of sensitivity, which is so important when discussing such things.

We shouldn't accept the culture that causes children to react negatively to homosexuality. They react insecurely to sex education, but they still gain from it. The same should be true of anything involving homosexuality.

[removeduser_4536284751384]

I don't see any sexual slur in the lyrics.

I'm also baffled about how this song can be considered "controversial" when from a quite young age we learn in history about pretty horrendous massacres, mass rapes and far more objectionable things than security in our own sexuality, however that can be considered objectionable. Think of the message this sends. Homosexuality is literally more offensive than Nazism. What kind of horrible people are they?

I think the suspension was motivated solely by homophobia. I'm consistently amazed by how backwards most of our fellow human beings are, even in supposedly "developed" countries. I always think I was born about 5 centuries too soon...

[Himster]

The eighth verse has the offending article. From the context it's not derogatory, but when it comes to kids under 15 schools and parents tend to get their knickers in a twist, which is understandable.

I'm also baffled about how this song can be considered "controversial" when from a quite young age we learn in history about pretty horrendous massacres, mass rapes and far more objectionable political views than equality...

That's a good point, it's such a bizarre double standard.

I think the suspension was motivated solely by homophobia.

Quite possible, after all it is 'merica.

[Himster]

Hmm, yeah. Reading into it further her intentions were clearly correct and proper, the school is quite undeniably in the wrong here, also the brats who complained.

[Colonel Dax]

I feel ashamed to be a Michigander, I tell you what.

At the end of the day, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that such blatant bigotry exists in the world. That being said, though, for a public school (and in my own back yard, no less) to facilitate homophobia (as this is precisely what they have done; there is no question about that)...I'm at a loss for words.

Really, though, what's the problem, here? To my understanding, the song is in no way promoting homosexuality, nor glorifying it.

Verily, the school's actions are contemptable in the highest degree.

[Lazarus]

I suppose the debate is - is it ethical to suspend her for "exposing" the children to homosexuality, which is what I'll bet my eyes all the parents were really concerned about. Not whether there were slurs or not.

It's kind of shocking how true irelandeb's point about nazism is. There's something disturbingly wrong when you think that children should learn about genocide before they learn that homosexuality is okay...

[s.rwitt]

That's gay.

[Sir Winston Churchill]

However, another student in class didn't agree with the lyrics, went to the office and complained.

Of course there is always one whiny that ruins everything for everyone.

A clear case of homophobia. Wouldn't want to teach our kids about tolerance and understanding, would we? Next thing you know they'd all go full fag, right?

[CyrusB]

Of course there is always one whiny that ruins everything for everyone.

I would be more worried about the bigoted little sod that put in the complaint.

Bottom line is that this was an overreaction by some poor brat who has been taught hate by his parents.

My only hope is that he or she will one day grow up to be as loving and non-judgemental as we are...

[Sir Winston Churchill]

My only hope is that he or she will one day grow up to be as loving and non-judgemental as we are...

The Golden Rule does not work.

Good news for a change. From what I've seen, gay people always have to show everyone that they are indeed, gay. Simply to prove some sort of point. Just look at this gay marriage rubbish, and people kicking off about gay men and child adoption. If you have the physical ability to bring a child into the world, but have chosen not to do so by becoming homosexual, then you shouldn't be allowed to adopt a kid - you can't have it both ways. Back to this story, this man should keep his sexual preferences to himself, as nobody cares but himself, and finally, to stop influencing the boys in his class. Disgrace.

I'll be sure to let my friend who has gay parents and lives a happy, heterosexual life know you'd rather have had him rot in his foster home.

[Matthias]

My only hope is that he or she will one day grow up to be as loving and non-judgemental as we are...

Yeah, why stand up against bigotry? Don't want to be judgmental...

[Gatsby]

My only hope is that he or she will one day grow up to be as loving and non-judgemental as we are...

loving and being non-judgemental - I never claimed to be any of these things. I love very few people, and judge just about everybody I come across. I'm just not a bigot.

You see bigots judge whole sets of people based on arbitrary characteristics, I judge people based on their actions. Somebody took offense at the notion of gays being equal human beings; somebody was a bigot, so I consider that somebody to be a sod.

Try a little harder next time.

[Sphere]

All this sympathy for the Teacher, but what about the children who had to sit through this?

That was a violation of their 8th Amendment rights.

Next thing you know they'd all go full fag, right?

Never go full fag.

[Sir Winston Churchill]

They joined performing arts, they knew what they were getting into.

[Sphere]

They joined performing arts, they knew what they were getting into.

That's cold. Some of us didn't grow up on the streets.

[xcorps]

I'm curious as to what TWC thinks of this story. I think it's disappointing to see a school, a place that is supposed to faciliate discussion and expand the knowledge and understanding of its students, simply shut down a possible debate on one of the more controversial topics of the day just because some student felt offended.

Ms. Johnson's eighth grade

Let's focus on more basic skills. Leave the rest for High School. It's not an appropriate place for that engagement.