October 6, 2025
A mom is elevating issues after a instructor used the phrase ‘monkey’ whereas singing ‘Glad Birthday’ to her son.
A mom is talking out after a instructor used the phrase “monkey” in her 6-year-old son’s birthday tune.
Desarae Prather, mom of 6-year-old Legend Whitaker, was outraged after receiving a video from her son’s instructor at Floral Avenue Elementary in Bartow, Florida, exhibiting the model of ‘Glad Birthday’ sung to her Black son, 11 Alive reviews.
“Glad Birthday to you. You reside within the zoo, you seem like a monkey, and also you odor like one too,” the instructor may be heard singing.
“I mechanically stated, ‘That’s unacceptable.’ And I don’t suppose there’s something humorous about it,” Prather advised 10 Tampa Bay Information in a clip shared on-line.
Prather stated she went straight to the principal after the instructor despatched her a video of the second.
“I don’t like stuff like that,” Whitaker stated, including that the tune damage his emotions.
She highlighted the racist historical past of the phrase “monkey” and defined why its use in a faculty setting is deeply upsetting.
“My pores and skin is boiling. I don’t even like racism, and to know the place we come from, and our ancestors, and for us to be labeled like that, as a result of after they name us, ‘Monkey,’ they’re saying we’re ugly; we act like monkeys,” Prather stated. “These are remarks I don’t prefer it in any respect.”
In a letter to the varsity board, Prather demanded an apology, quick disciplinary motion, and counseling for her son. After receiving no response, she went to the varsity in particular person and was knowledgeable that an investigation is underway to assessment the incident.
“No youngster ought to should go to high school and really feel like they’ll’t open up to an authority determine with out them calling them racial slurs, and that goes for any child, not simply my youngster,” Prather stated. “Now I’ve to hunt counseling for him as a result of he was crying for to not be again in her class and even return to that college.”
Following the incident, Prather stated her son is simply too upset to return to high school, fearing his classmates will name him a “monkey.” Though he was moved to a special classroom after the incident, he hasn’t gone again, and Prather now plans to switch him to a brand new college.
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