Michigan Middle School Teacher Gets Suspended for Playing Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Same Love”
Playing rap music has gotten plenty of people in trouble over the years, but a Michigan schoolteacher who was recently suspended didn't expect the backlash she's enduring now.
Susan Johnson, who teaches performing arts to 8th graders at Centennial Middle School in South Lyon, Michigan, has been suspended for letting a student in her class play Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' "Same Love," a song in support of same sex marriage. "I asked him a few questions about the song," she told local Fox 2 News. "If it was violent, if there was any profanity, and he said no. And I said, This sounds like a great song to go ahead and use for the class."
Another student, however, disagreed with message in the song, and complained to the school's office. As a result, Johnson has been suspended for three days, two of which are without pay. "I don't think that it was really even thought through," she said. "I was paralyzed. I really didn't understand why I was being suspended."
The Assistant Superintendent Melissa Baker declined to explain when reached by the station. "No one is going to have a comment for you," she said. "We don't go on camera here in South Lyon." The district says that content related to homosexuality, religion and politics make it controversial.
"I really love my kids and I never want to hurt them, but I also know that there's a lot of bullying and there's a lot of gay bashing and racial issues going on in our country and I want the kids to feel comfortable in my class no matter who they are," Johnson added.
As of press time, Macklemore and Lewis have not returned requests for comment.
Below, check out the video to the song, which is featured on their album The Heist, available now.