School forced to defend Occupy Wall Street song performed by eight-year-olds

Critics say political song could not have been written by youngsters

By NADIA GILANI Last updated at 11:35 PM on 4th January 2012

A school is defending a group of pupils who have allegedly written a song about the Occupy Wall street protest movement. The song, Part of the 99 was performed by a group pf third grade children at Woodbrook Elementary School in Albemarle County, Virginia. However the piece has become shrouded in controversy as a swathe of bloggers have claimed it was produced by way of 'indoctrination'.

Message: The children's song is inspired by the Occupy Wall Street protest, pictured

But despite the backlash, Albermale County school district is defending the song, claiming the children chose the topic and wrote the lyrics themselves. School spokesman, Phil Giaramita told Fox News: 'We really don’t censor the topics that students come up with.

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'This is the first time we’ve had the lyrics of one of these songs criticised.' The controversy surrounding the song was first reported by the Weasel Zippers website, which claimed it could not have been written by pupils in the third grade. A statement on the website said: 'They’re actually claiming third-grade children wrote these lyrics and chose the topic as well, because what eight-year-old child isn’t obsessed with class warfare?' In another blog post it stated: 'To have third graders sing about class warfare and rail against the one per cent is evil and a violation of the trust parents put in them (schools).'

School officials have defended the song and claim the children came up with the theme and lyrics themselves. Picture: The Albemarle County Court House in Virginia

The pupils performed the song in October as part of an event organised by Washington based organisation Kid Pan Alley, which encourages children to explore their creativity through music. Mr Giaramita said the song was part of a programme sponsored by the organisation and the pupils involved had taken part in workshops with a facilitator to come up with a theme and lyrics for a song. Songs are not allowed to promote any political or personal agenda. He said: 'This was written four months ago, and I think this particular issue of the Occupy movement was being looked at in a different way than it is today. 'Students aren’t told what to write by either school officials or by the people associated with Kid Pan Alley. 'I’ve talked with teachers and they tell me you’d be amazed at how creative a lot of children are these days – even younger than that.' 'I’ve spoken with the Kid Pan Alley people, the principal and they all say the same thing – kids aren’t told what to write and you would be surprised or amazed at how creative and how thoughtful children even at that age are'. Albemarle County School Board Chair, Steve Koleszar told The Blaze: 'They don’t censor what the kids write. 'They don’t shape what the kids write. It all comes out of the kids own mouths and the kids own words.







Yeah right.

Yeah...sure the kids wrote it...yeah...uh huh.

Go take a look at the average 3rd grader work. You won't find ANYTHING remotely close to the lyrical stylings of this propaganda. That's what it is too.

Little minds of mush now doing the bidding of some very demented occupoopers.

Children, particularly of that age, pretty much only know what they hear at home.

They could have wrote it. Based on my experience, 3rd graders have more motivation than the "Occupiers".

I blame those basssards from Sesame Street... 😠

Weasel Zippers is the only news organization that you can depend on for objective, in-depth reporting of the hard issues.

Damn glad you've come to your senses!

I agree, therefore it never happened.

What never happened? Crap, what were we talking about?

The whole thing. Occupier kids are way too lazy to write a song, perform a song, or even show up to class. The whole story is fabricated.

Some people have it all
But they still don’t think they have enough
They want more money
A faster ride
They’re not content
Never satisfied
Yes — they’re the 1 percent

I used to be one of the 1 percent
I worked all the time
Never saw my family
Couldn’t make life rhyme
Then the bubble burst
It really, really hurt
I lost my money
Lost my pride
Lost my home
Now I’m part of the 99

Some people have it all
But they still don’t think they have enough
They want more money
A faster ride
They’re not content
Never satisfied
Yes — they’re the 1 percent

I used to be sad, now I’m satisfied
’Cause I really have enough
Though I lost my yacht and plane
Didn’t need that extra stuff
Could have been much worse
You don’t need to be first
’Cause I’ve got my friends
Here by my side
Don’t need it all
I’m so happy to be part of the 99


Really? No mention of a XBox 360, PS3 or a cellphone/tablet...pizza or unicorns. If this is where our 3rd grade is now then they're better informed on current issues than most adults. It just might be time to institute a "Logan's Run" type government. We're in their way. Now these 3rd graders have cars, homes, planes, yachts AND careers where they were in the 1%...what did we define as the 1% again? 3rd graders now.

I think a little water-boarding of a couple 3rd graders would reveal the truth... 😟

RELEASE THE FLYING MONKEYS!!!


[ram27bat]

Yes, the third graders wrote that all by themselves. Because they've all been class warfare activists since pre-school.

Now it's time to line up for your daily bowl of rice, courtesy of our Dear Leader. Then we'll color pictures of Dear Leader, with his arms held wide, and a big frog smile.

One lucky kid will have his/her picture displayed on the sides of all our big buildings. As a prize, you and your family will be allowed one ration of shredded chicken along with your daily bowl of rice!

#-o

Elian is that you?

DMV, are those the actual lyrics?

Third graders? Really?

At least the school is consistent in their message.
Not only are they telling the kids that you shouldn't have to work hard, they are proving by example that you don't have to own up to your actions.

Pathetic.

Yes, those are the actual song lyrics.

I looked for them online before I typed my original post.

Hence the wording on it.

RESEARCH BEFORE POST OUTRAGE..!!!! [ram27bat]

Sharp eye Scarecrow!