Anthem, dance routine in conflict

I did not attend the Christmas parade, but I have observed the majorette routine which one writer compared to a bump-and-grind routine. May I respectfully suggest this routine, the attitudes, and the administrative responsibilities controlling school extracurricular activities, did not present the day before the parade.


I suspect that the administration knew about the routine, which exposes an underlying philosophy. I believe, from the office of superintendent on down, the African-American culture has decided that the school system belongs to the majority. I believe the majority wishes to disavow a connection with past cultures and use the schools to infuse personal racial agendas, all done with a certain assurance of impunity.


We read about inappropriate dancing at school functions, the early morning shooting at an off-school dance; we observe the "sagging" thug look and are forced at times to listen to what many of us think is filthy music, booming from "hoopdies" with $2,000 rims.


Granted, there is freedom of expression and speech we all enjoy as American, but there remains a civic responsibility, which seems to be overlooked. As a retired teacher I can attest to hearing about rude, racially motivated attacks upon teachers of both cultures.


Lanier's anthem says "... and before thy shrine of knowledge, we will kneel to thee ..." Somehow, bumping and grinding a booty does not seem to fit the music.

West Marcus
Montgomery