A Sydney school has been counselled after it was accused of using an offensive song as its morning school bell, which uses the phrase “white devil”.
The song in question, ‘Bagi-la-m Bargan,’ by First Nations rapper Birdz, critically speaks about explorer Captain James Cook’s arrival in Australia, describing him as a “murderer without a licence”.
Birdz, who’s real name is Nathan Bird, also raps about his “desire to kill, any white devil wanna test my will”.
A dad of a student from Ramsgate Public School in Sydney’s South criticised the primary school for playing the song, and said his son had asked if there was “something wrong with being white”.
He said the song, which means Fighting Boomerang, had been played every morning for about two months.
“I looked at the lyrics and I was absolutely shocked,” the parent told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.
“How does this principal have the authority to play the song with such strong themes.”
The dad went as far to say playing the song was an “indoctrination of our children”.
“It’s a misuse of their power,” he said.
Speaking to Fordham, NSW Education Minister Prue Car said it was “very concerning” and said she had instructed the Department of Education to investigate the circumstances surrounding the song.
She said she could understood why parents were concerned, given the lyrics of the song.
“I think it’s really more about what is appropriate and what may not be appropriate, especially for children in primary school,” Ms Car said.
Shortly after the radio segment, a department spokesperson said the song had been removed from the school’s playlist.
“We apologise for the distress caused to any parents or children over the choice of school bell song at Ramsgate Public School last week,” they said.
“The song was chosen to mark Reconciliation Week and was not intended to be divisive.
“The school’s leadership has been counselled about making appropriate choices for the school bell song.
“Principals and staff across the state will be reminded of their professional obligations in curriculum delivery and resource selection. This includes any songs chosen to use as a school bell.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns said while he wasn’t across the issue, he believed it was “all about context”.
“Rap songs in general probably aren’t best (used at) NSW schools. We just had a traditional bell and maybe get back to bells,” he said.
“They’re all about age-appropriate access to media, and everybody’s got to be cognisant of that.”
Ramsgate Public School came under fire in 2019 after the Department of Education ordered the school to remove letters written by students and addressed to then Prime Minister Scott Morrison, urging him to take action on climate change.