Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

Click on image or this text link to see the video

Apparently, the above YouTube video is a hot media topic that started a lot of controversy around the country last week but especially, in state of New Jersey. It depicts a group of students from B. Bernice Young Elementary School in Burlington Township, NJ singing two songs that praised President Obama. Many conservative parents, bloggers, pundits, and news media sources think the school indoctrinated innocent minds when it made the students sing the songs in question. The first song begins, "Mmm, mmm, mmm, Barack Hussein Obama/He said that all must lend a hand/To make this country strong again." The second one was set to the tune of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and included the refrain, "Hooray, Mr. President."

Christopher Manno, superintendent of the Burlington Township School District, was asked by the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education to review whether the songs represented "inappropriate partisan politics" in the classroom. The school district said that the recording and distribution of the video was unauthorized and that it was unclear when the video first gained attention or if anyone was shocked before conservative websites and news programs picked up on it. In a letter sent home to parents, Manno explained that the video was taken in February as part of a Black History Month event and he stated... "Our curriculum studies, honors, and recognizes those who serve our country. There was no intention to indoctrinate children. The teacher's intention was to engage the children in an activity to recognize famous and accomplished African Americans." Manno also said that he would not identify the teacher who led the song. State education officials said that the teacher retired at the end of the last school year anyway.

The source of the video is not entirely clear. Even though it was taken in February, it wasn't posted on YouTube until June. It has been reported that it originally appeared on the YouTube channel of author Charisse Carney-Nunes, who wrote the children's book "I Am Barack Obama." A large photo of Carney-Nunes' book can be seen in the video, sitting on an easel by the stage. However, a spokeswoman for the author said that she has declined to comment at this time. The song medley was presented to Carney-Nunes, who had been invited to the school, as a demonstration of a project the children had put together. Her public relations firm said in a statement... "Charisse feels it is unfortunate that an event put together with sincere intentions to encourage literacy while celebrating the contributions of African Americans to our great nation has become political fodder and hopes cooler heads will prevail."

When confronted by news reporters outside the school, Denise King, principal at B. Bernice Young, told them that she would be right back after answering the door. Minutes later, security personnel and Burlington Township police informed the reporters that they would have to leave the school property. Walter Corter, Burlington Township's police director, said that alleged reports of threats against the school were unsubstantiated and the only distraction at the time was the news vans and some parents who chose to voice their disapproval about the video matter. Two members of the Young School Family Association (similar to a PTA) declined to comment and others could not be reached for comment.

Beth Auerswald, a spokeswoman for the New Jersey Department of Education said that the department wants "to ensure students can celebrate the achievements of African Americans during Black History Month without inappropriate partisan politics in the classroom." Auerswald said that the state will also look into whether the posting of this video online violated the privacy of students.

Personally, I'm amazed that so much attention is being given to this video NOW. For crying out loud... it was taken in February and posted on YouTube in June! It was just recently discovered by "someone" who, apparently, brought it to the attention of the media... and NOW, people are losing their minds over it? Hello! It's October! If you haven't noticed any "damage" to your children up to this point, what is the problem here? The sad part is, the kids in this video sang their little hearts out and probably thought that they were doing nothing more than honoring their president. And then, as usual, here come the adults/parents... eight months later, mind you... turning what they did into something negative and ugly. It is no wonder that, by the time most of these kids are teenagers, they will no longer be listening to a word you have to say!