A South Lyons performing arts teacher is suspended for three days because she let "Same Love," a song about gay relationships, be played for eighth-graders last week, Fox 2 News reports.
Susan Johnson (right) tells Taryn Asher that she agreed to let a student play the recorded song by rapper Ben Maclemore because tolerance for diversity "is one of the things in my school that we're trying to practice and we're trying to instill in our students."
However, another student in class didn't agree with the lyrics, went to the office and complained. Before the school day ended, Johnson claims the principal and assistant superintendent told her she was suspended indefinitely without pay.
"I don't think that it was really even thought through," she said. "I was paralyzed. I really didn't understand why I was being suspended. . . . I really love my kids and I never want to hurt them, but I also know that there's a lot of bullying and there's a lot of gay bashing and racial issues going on in our country and I want the kids to feel comfortable in my class no matter who they are."
The district, according to Fox's report, claims the song had controversial content -- homosexuality, religion, politics views and a sexual slur. It also says the educator should have asked permission to play it.
