In the comments, we've noticed a refrain by some that the issues and questions raised here are ... overstated. Surely - these comments seem to say - surely things are not nearly so bad. Surely - these comments seem to imply - surely these issues are only in the minds of disgruntled parents and employees.
Perhaps. Then again, this song has something to say about bad things happening "under the surface, behind the scenes." In the musical Wicked, the main character Elphaba says that if something bad is happening, "someone's got to tell the Wizard. That's why we have a Wizard."
Yet, it seems that people have tried to tell our Wizard that something bad is happening in Oz. Hmmm. And the significance of the imagery of Animals who have lost their powers of speech should not be lost on anyone.
Here's a link to YouTube video: Something Bad
Here are the lyrics:
Doctor Dillamond:
(spoken) Oh, Miss Elphaba - The things one hears these days.
Dreadful things.
(sung) I've heard of an Ox
A professor from Quox
No longer permitted to teach
Who has lost all powers of speech
And an Owl in Munchkin Rock
A vicar with a thriving flock
Forbidden to preach
Now he can only screech!
Only rumors - but still -
Enough to give pause
To anyone with paws
Something bad is happening in Oz.
Elphaba:
Something bad? Happening in Oz?
Dillamond:
Under the surface
Behind the scenes
Something baaaaaad.
(spoken) Sorry, "Bad".
Elphaba:
(spoken) Doctor Dillamond - if something bad is happening
to the Animals, someone's got to tell the Wizard.
That's why we have a Wizard.
(sung) So nothing bad ....
Dillamond:
(spoken) I hope you're right.
Both:
Nothing all that bad:
Dillamond:
Nothing truly baaaaad.
(spoken) Sorry, "Bad".
Elphaba:
It couldn't happen here
In Oz.
WOW - whoever came up with this analogy is brilliant! It is exactly how some of the situations feel within the district. Please do not say anything, please do not stir the waters nor ruffle feathers, just simply stay in your classroom and do not offer opinions or suggestions that could help our students excel!
ReplyDeleteIt is not just the teachers who are told to keep their mouths shut...admin are being terminated, PIPed and placed on directive memos if they dare speak about anything. Admin cannot have an opinion, thought, or any other humanistic trait other than be told what to do. Everything is top down. I am sure CO would rather just fire all the principals anyway. All principals are used for is to shuffle paperwork and follow CO directives, otherwise suffer the consequences of being terminated or forced out of district. Might as well take away the ability to speak....
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