School censors 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' because of 'racial connotations'

Kindergartners in Victoria, Australia will be learning a revised version of the classic nursery rhyme, "Baa Baa Black Sheep." The lyrics, the Herald Sun reports, are being changed "because of concerns over the racial connotations of 'black,' and to reflect a multicultural community." Teachers in Melbourne are also considering changing the line "one for the little boy who lives down the lane" because "it could be deemed sexist."

According to the Sun, parents, teachers, and many others who read about the proposed change called it "political correctness gone mad."

Celine Pieterse, a co-ordinator of a child care center, told the Sun that children "could still use 'black' if they chose to."

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"We try to introduce a variety of sheep," she said.