From China's comments, it appears that the teacher never put the song in its historical and cultural context for the students or led a discussion about its implications or people's reactions and feelings about it.

This is one result of one of the main problems in education today, IMO (and an informed opinion it is, having been an elementary and middle school teacher for 18 years): few, if any, connections are made between "disciplines." So this is music class and we don't talk about history or culture--that's in the social studies class (and we don't deal with slavery until US history in 5th grade)--or emotions (only the school counselor or psych does that!).

Mary's idea of inviting the offended parties into the class to talk about their feelings and why they feel that way--their perspective--is a great one. My guess, though, is that China's father's call was transferred to the principal instead of to the teacher and it immediately became a political and public relations problem instead of an educational and cultural opportunity.

Too bad. Handled properly, the students themselves, after hearing all sides (all, not just two), could have decided themselves if they wanted to do it. What a profound opportunity was missed.

All the best,

David