‘Y.M.C.A.’ Village People Song Banned From School Talent Show Over Racism Claims

“Y.M.C.A.” by the Village People has been banned from a school talent show after one mother raised racism claims. The classic hit song that millions of Americans age 8 to 80 know the dance moves to was removed from the Bennett Elementary School in North Dakota after because officials would not remove the costume requirement after the mother’s complaint.

The “Y.M.C.A.” racism claims stem from the mother’s belief that the Village People member dressed up as a Native American is offensive. According to Mediate, Bennett Elementary School officials said that all the students should dress up like the characters in the popular song because the talent show would be performed in front of the entire first grade class. The woman found is offensive for the students to be asked to come to school dressed in traditional Native American attire.

The parent, named in the Forum of Fargo-Moorhead as Elaine Bolman, had this to say about the Indian costume in the Village People song said:

“I’m not in a position to do anything for these educators and hopefully those people that are can make the right choices so all students of any culture and race won’t feel singled out or like their race is being stereotyped against.”

The Village People “Y.M.C.A.” song depicts band members dressed up as a Native American, a cowboy, a construction workers, a biker, and a police officer. Felipe Rose, who dressed up in the costume which is the focus of the racism claims, is part Sioux.

An excerpt from Rose’s website, where he is pictured in Native American attire, reads:

“Felipe Rose is best known as the Native American Indian attired vocalist in the world famous group Village People. After 32 plus years of being involved in one of the most visible professions Village People are often imitated, but never duplicated, and they are still touring the globe. Now, in the beginning of their third decade as the Ambassadors of Disco, world-wide, Village People have been included in special events as well as sporting events and ultra-mega birthday parties around the globe.”

Do you think the school should have banned “Y.M.C.A.” over the Native American racism claims by one mom?

[Image Via: Michael Och Archives/MSN Entertainment]