Do I get to teach kids Anti Obama songs now?
By ParaTed2k
@ParaTed2k (22940)
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
October 9, 2009 12:49pm CST
Many of you know that I play and teach guitar. I get to start teaching group lessons in an after school program at a local elementary school. I'm really looking forward to helping the kids develop a love for the guitar and making music in general.
A thought occured to me though, I wonder how Obama supporters would feel if I taught the kids songs with Anti Obama lyrics. Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun? I could even parody the Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm, Barack Hussein Obama chant. Don't I have just as much "right" to use my talents to spread my message as the teachers who preach the word of Obama?
Darn it though, I have these things called "Standards", "ethics" and "class"... so I'll stick with the basics of reading music, scales and chords.
2 people like this
8 responses
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
9 Oct 09
As you said you have standards, ethics and class....which will prevent you from using music to brain wash those poor kids.
By the way....I think it great that you take the time to spread the love of music to children.
2 people like this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
12 Oct 09
Not sure if 2-5 grade fingers are ready for speed licks or arpeggios yet. ;~D
@irishidid (8688)
• United States
10 Oct 09
Like I said on another thread. Give it 10 or so years and the kids will be changing the words to all the Obama songs. They will become a joke, more than they are now.
I can't tell you how glad I am that my kids are all out of school and my granddaughter goes to a school where there's no Obama worship.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
12 Oct 09
Yeah, many will probably make fun of the songs like many high school kids make fun of the DARE program. ;~D
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
9 Oct 09
Only if you want the story of your lesson circulating around the web for the enxt three years! 
That's cool that you're teaching guitar...one of my favorite instruments.
That's cool that you're teaching guitar...one of my favorite instruments. 
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
10 Oct 09
Hi ParaTed, I think it would be much more useful for the children if you could try to introduce them to some classical music but I expect that the guitar may be a little limited there, maybe you could use a piano instead.
I can't understand why you would even consider exposing children to you local political situation which will be of no note in the footnote of history, and instead introduce them to more global historical events which will bring the world into clearer focus for them.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
12 Oct 09
Um, Thea, I'm not being hired as a music theory teacher, or even a history teacher. I'm part of an afterschool program where I'll be teaching guitar at the beginner level.
I wouldn't use that situation for political purposes, that is the point of my OP. I'm just pointing out that while I wouldn't do it, many teachers on the left don't seem to have a problem abusing their positions that way.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
12 Oct 09
I don't know of any indoctrination during afterschool programs, just by teachers during classroom time.
But for myself, the closest I'll come is if I teach The Star Spangled Banner, or some patriotic themed folk song.
This all reminds me of my 4th grade teacher. She told set aside some class time to teach Ukelele to anyone who might be interested. Back then I didn't think about the irony of her choices of songs to teach us, but I have oftern looked back and laughed.
We learned, Ballad of the Green Beret, Where Have All the Flowers Gone and Blowin' in the Wind. ;~D
1 person likes this
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
12 Oct 09
Well if you're aware that political indoctrination is taking place in after school acitviites then surely the parents must also be aware and make a point to stop it. Of course no parallel can be drawn between this if it is a voluntary programme unlike the govnernment enforced indoctrination of christianity in schools in the UK, though I'm not sure that that is current practice anymore but a dreadful breach of freedom of thought. I am very glad to hear that you will not be indoctrinating these vulnerable minds with politicism Ted.
@Netsbridge (3253)
• United States
13 Oct 09
Le me take this opportunity to tell you a little something that no one is taking into consideration. You see, it is not unusual in Africa (Obama's home continent) to hear children and even noted musicians sing about their presidents. I think that the school teacher may have knowledge about this African mannerism and was simply bringing a touch of Africa to Obama's presidency.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
13 Oct 09
Interesting, but I don't think it's that deep for them.
@Ima_C_Suvaya (431)
• United States
10 Oct 09
You could teach them 'The Star Spangled Banner' or 'America, the Beautiful' or any other song about America that's not apologizing for it. Any song that is about freedom, liberty, or the Constitution is an Anti-0bama song.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
12 Oct 09
True, I could teach the Star Spangled Banner, and if anyone complained I could say, "what do you have against Hendrix?". ;~D
