Why Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton Duet Bannedd by Wisconsin School Concert?
(Photo : Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Officials at an elementary school in Wisconsin banned a first-grade class from performing a duet by Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton. Here's why!
  • A Wisconsin elementary school is in the headlines after banning Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton duet
  • Parent claims ban follows "conservative flip" by the school district
  • A parent argued that the song was not contentious because it was about acceptance

An administrator at an elementary school in Wisconsin found Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton's duet 'Rainbowland' unsuitable for school and banned its performance from the school's spring concert.

A Waukesha teacher played 'Rainbowland' for her first-grade children when she learned it would be one of the songs they would sing at their spring show. And they desired to hear it "over and again."

'Rainbowland' Banned in Wisconsin School Concert

'Rainbowland' is a duet performed by Miley Cyrus and her godmother Dolly Parton that appears on her 2017 album "Younger Now."

Melissa Tempel, a first-grade dual language teacher at Heyer Elementary School, remarked, "It's such a fun song, and they just immediately took to it."

However, Tempel learned that the Heyer Elementary administration would not allow the song to be performed after all. She stated that Tempel and her students were "so sad," as per USA Today.

Superintendent Jim Sebert of the School District of Waukesha confirmed to Fox 6 - which first reported the event - that 'Rainbowland' was removed from the setlist, citing a particular school board policy: "It was judged that 'Rainbowland' may be seen as controversial."

Sebert told the news station that the district questioned "whether it was acceptable for the age and maturity level of the pupils" because of "social or personal repercussions" on them.

Parton told Taste of Country in 2017 that the song is "really about if we could love one other a little more or be a little kinder, we could live in rainbow land."

Per Fox News, both Parton and Cyrus have stated that the song's inspiration and meaning are distinct, rooted in coming together and being more accepting of others. Cyrus also has a rainbow-colored recording facility in Malibu called 'Rainbow Land.'

Read Also: Daniel Radcliffe Baby News

Parents Question Why Wisconsin School Banned Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton's Duet

Tempel claimed that the song 'Rainbow Connection' was reintroduced in the concert's lineup after parents filed complaints with the school. Parents were similarly perplexed as to why the songs were prohibited.

Sarah Schindler, whose daughter is a first-grader in Tempel's class, said that the school board had a "conservative flip" in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, adding, "With that have come certain policy changes that have been generating some debate in our community."

In addition to discussing pronouns with pupils, these modifications prohibit instructors from displaying "any type of political placard" or wearing rainbows. Leigh Radichel Tracy said the ban on 'Rainbowland' did not come as a surprise since the school district has "really cracked down on everything LGBTQ."

She stated that her 17-year-old daughter, who marches in a marching band with numerous gay friends, was "very saddened" by the ban. Tracy lamented that the song, about a "wonderful place of acceptance," was deemed too contentious to be performed.

Rainbowland was included in the album Younger Now by Miley Cyrus. According to Daily Mail, the song, a duet with Cyrus' godmother Dolly Parton, also appeared in her New Year's Eve performance.

Even after hearing the song, Schindler could not see why it was deemed contentious, especially because she always connected spring with rainbows. While she admitted that Cyrus had discussed drugs and sex in the past and that her duet partner Parton supports drag queens, she stated that regulations prohibiting songs such as Rainbowland make everyone question their decisions.

Related Article: Olivia Wilde Monthly Income Revealed 

@YouTube