You Are Rainbows? That Ain’t Cool. Watch Us Ban You From The School

Last Updated on: 3rd August 2023, 11:53 am

Administrators at an elementary school in Waukesha, Wisconsin, banned this nice song about living in a happy world where it’s ok to love everyone and to be who you are from being performed by first graders during a concert because rainbows are gay or some shit. Absolute moron James Sebert, who also serves as the school’s superintendent, barfed up a bunch of words about the potential social and personal impacts on the children and cited the board’s policy about not discussing controversial issues in class to spin things as not that, but I think we all know what he means. Just in case some of us don’t, this same hate-filled troop of goobers is also reported to have tried putting the hammer down on “Rainbow Connection” (yes, that “Rainbow Connection”), but eventually reversed that stance, thank Christ.

Sebert’s record also includes prohibiting rainbows and pride flags from being displayed in classrooms and suspending the school district’s equity and diversity work, so yeah, great guy all around.

First-grade teacher Melissa Tempel said she chose the song because its message seemed universal and sweet. The class concert’s theme was “The World” and included other songs such as “Here Comes the Sun,” by The Beatles and “What a Wonderful World,” by Louis Armstrong.
“My students were just devastated. They really liked this song and we had already begun singing it,” Tempel said Monday.
Administrators also initially banned the song “Rainbow Connection” from The Muppets but later reversed that decision, according to Tempel.

Parents have been angered by the song’s removal, Tempel said. But she was more concerned about what the ban and other district policies against expressing LGBTQ support meant for students.
“These confusing messages about rainbows are ultimately creating a culture that seems unsafe towards queer people,” she said.

I know I grew up in a time that had plenty of its own problems, but at least everyone who mattered did their best to teach us acceptance and the idea that a song about wanting a better world would somehow scar us all for life never crossed anyone’s mind. Or if it did, there were enough others with the good sense to shut it down before it got any further than that one rotted brain.

Here are the lyrics. Trigger warning: Positive vibes.

[Miley Cyrus & Dolly Parton:]
Livin’ in a rainbowland
Where everything goes as planned and I smile
‘Cause I know if we tried, we could really make a difference in this world
I won’t give up or sleep a wink
It’s the only thought I think
You know where I stand
I believe we can start livin’ in a rainbowland

Livin’ in a rainbowland
Where you and I go hand in hand
Oh, I’d be lyin’ (I’d be lyin’), if I said this was fine
All the hurt and the hate going on here (hate going on here)
We are rainbows, me and you
Every color, every hue
Let’s shine through
Together we can start livin’ in a rainbowland

Living in a rainbowland
Where skies are blue and things are grand
Oh, wouldn’t it be nice to live in paradise
Where we’re free to be exactly who we are
Let’s all dig down deep inside
Brush the judgement and fear aside
Make wrong things right (all things right), and end the fight
‘Cause I promise ain’t nobody gonna win
(C’mon)

Livin’ in a rainbowland
Where you and I go hand in hand
Oh, I’d be lyin’ (I’d be lyin’), if I said this was fine
All the hurt and the hate going on here (hate going on here)
We are rainbows, me and you
Every color, every hue
Let’s shine through
Together we can start livin’ in a rainbowland

Livin’ in a rainbowland
Where you and I go hand in hand together (let’s do it together)
Change things forever (forever)
I know there’s got to be a greener plan
We are rainbows, me and you
Every color, every hue
Let’s shine through (shine my head)
Together we can start livin’ in a rainbowland

Update:
Melissa Tempel, the teacher quoted above, was placed on administrative leave by the school district after speaking out about the ban. Land of the free and whatnot.

As the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports, Tempel has declined to comment on the matter, instead pointing to a statement from the Alliance for Education in Waukesha, a group of Waukesha parents asking for an investigation into superintendent James Sebert on claims that he discriminates against LGTBQ+ students and staff.

“This Superintendent and Board began the march toward marginalization last year, and it has only served to stoke fear and sow distrust in the Waukesha Community, which has yielded a pattern of bullying against anyone who calls out the district’s bias and harassment,” their statement reads. “Now Waukesha is a national laughingstock and the blame for that falls squarely to the feet of the district’s leadership, not those who have the courage to hold them accountable, like Ms. Tempel.”