Unfortunately whether he was acquitted of any or all charges his reputation is tainted. Parents looking over the graduation program seeing the song and who it's by may raise an eyebrow or two. There are plenty of better choices in the music industry by performers with better reputations that could have been suggested in the first place.
Who knows for sure but many times money talks and celebrities can pay their way out of almost anything. There was a tape made, speculation was he was the man in the tape with an underage girl then it was not him in the tape, then he was in the tape but the girl was of age. It's still all bit creepy.

music_mom:
Thank you for taking the time to read my question and giving me your feedback. You made a good point and you made me think.
Thanks!!

I applaud you. I wasn't trying to accuse you specifically. I was only trying to point out that we as parents can sometimes do more harm than good with all of our 'good intentions'.

I'm happy for you that the outcome was as you hoped for.

Hope the performance is a very joyful one :)

The last thing I want to do is instill fear into my children. I never had any intention on discussing this specific issue with my 11 year old. It wouldn't be appropriate.

I specifically said that R. Kelly was indicted, which means accused. I did not say that he was found guilty. I do feel that where there is smoke there is fire, but that is my opinion.

UPDATE:
The principal called me this afternoon and said that after meeting with the teachers they decided against performing the R. Kelly song. I didn't have to rally other parents, start a petition, or go over the principals head. I was one voice and I am pleased to say I was heard.

I don't think this parent is instilling fear in their child by standing up for what she believes is right. I think that they are showing their child that you should take action when you feel strongly that something is wrong. Showing your child that you have the courage to follow through on your beliefs in a constructive way is being a good role model.

Why do we instill so much fear into our children? Let them embrace the beauty of the song. There's nothing wrong with the song. If the children are allowed to focus on the music and the words, it will be ok. It is when the parents try to focus on the wrong thing, something the children have no idea about, that starts the fear and all the problems.

We should be encouraging love, happiness, peacefulness and JOY in our children always. We need to stop forcing our children to be fearful. Our children are better equipped at handling life than we are. It's when we start meddling that the problems start.

It will be OK. Really, it will. R.Kelly made a beautiful song. I'm sure R. Kelly is not the perfect human, and neither are we.

You mentioned that R. Kelly was indicted, but you failed to mention that he was acquitted on all counts. So, you too believe all the media hype.

Stop the fear and start the JOY!!!

Personally, I would take the song for what it is and leave the artist out of it. Creative people are not the best role models in any generation, but the work they create should stand separate from their lives. If the song is somehow inappropriate, then that's a different matter.

tray2112

You are right, it`s not the song it`s the Artist. Actually he`s not an Artist, he`s a Child Predator. Even more scary is that the Principal & Teacher are oblivious.
Good Luck with the School board.

Patrick

why don't you start a petition, unfortanetly the song is nice too bad it wasn't from another artist, but they should find another song, there are tons of songs that are just as nice, the message that the school is sending is that it's ok to degrate females.

Wow. Well I'm sorry that the principal seemed so closed. At least she says she'll talk to the teachers. If it does go to the District/Board be sure to ask them what message do they want to convey by allowing this type of music, from a known predator, in their school. It's one thing to allow music from new and popular bands, but it's another thing to allow songs by certain people who sing certain lyrics.

Find out what song they're playing and review the lyrics. That might help your case. It's ridiculous that they couldn't play a different pop song.

They wouldn't allow Calle Ocho by Pitbull (or any other song by him I'm sure)... why is this any different?

The link below goes to a local radio station here. They have many of the lyrics for the popular songs by R Kelly: www.krq.com/iplaylist/artist/45175/?_show
You can check it out directly and read them yourself. Perhaps suggesting a song more appropriate.

Why not a song like "Halo" or something. That's a great song, it's well liked and it's nice - no gang theme, no sexual theme, just a nice song and it would fit the graduation. You can look up Halo lyrics on google or something.

I contacted my child's teacher on Monday morning to share my concerns with her. It is now Friday morning and since I had not received a call back for her or the principal I took time off of work to go meet with her. She was nice enough to see me without an appointment. She admitted to having knowledge of R. Kelly's past but didn't see what that had to do with the song selection. In the meeting she was very short with me and made it clear that we were not going to see eye to eye. She is going to meet with the teachers and get back to me on Tuesday.

If I don't hear back from her I will take it to the District and then the School Board. Any suggestions?

That's frightening! What have you done about it?

I agree with you. R. Kelly is never appropriate!!