‘Clearly Inappropriate’: Boy Suspended Over Michael Jackson Crotch-Grabbing Dance
- Posted on February 5, 2012 at 9:31am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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Nine-year-old Lenny Boberg was suspended from school after performing a Michael Jackson dance routine during a fundraiser -- groin reaches and all. (Image source: Winona Daily News)
A nine-year-old Minnesota boy was suspended from school for performing a Michael Jackson dance routine during a fundraiser — complete with the late singer’s famous crotch grab during a rendition of “Billie Jean.”
Mindy Boberg told the Winona Daily News the principal of St. Stanislaus approached her and her son Lenny during the event Thursday and informed them that Lenny’s performance — specifically the groin reaches — constituted “gross misconduct” and that Lenny was suspended.
Image source: Winona Daily News
Principal Pat Bowlin would not comment to the Daily News, saying the issue was an internal matter, but said he would meet with the family on Monday to discuss the suspension.
Boberg said her son has performed similar Jackson dance moves the past two years at the event without incident, and told the newspaper his routine had been approved during a rehearsal earlier in the week.
She said she‘s upset with the way the situation was handled and doesn’t understand why her son was singled out, saying there were other performances far more questionable than Lenny’s.
Following Thursday’s event, Bowlin sent an email to all the school families with the subject line “Thank you/apology.”
“On behalf of the Winona Area Catholic Schools, I would like to thank all the students, teachers, parents, and friends of our school for your support of our Lip Sync contest. So many people worked incredibly hard to make it a great event. We did have one act that was clearly inappropriate. I want to extend my apology for that situation,” the email said.
According to the Daily News, the school’s student handbook states a principal may immediately suspend a student for gross misconduct, defined as an action that “creates a substantial and unjustifiable risk of harm to another person or serious damage to the property of the school or another person, or conduct which substantially impairs the discipline and order of the school environment.”
Watch a clip of Lenny’s performance below and tell us: Do you think the dance moves are worth a suspension?
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Comments (111)
Laugh-ler14
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:26amIt’s ok Lenny. if you are going to be suspended from your school for doing a Michael Jackson dance you probably don’t want to go to that school anyways. I thought you did a good job. You were probably better than the other kids and their parents just got jealous. Go Lenny!
Report Post »chips1
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 12:41pmHe had Bill Clinton down to a “T”.
Report Post »richard the lion-hearted
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:35pm@Laugh-ler14
Report Post »I’m sure parents with morals appreciate your white-washing what happened as much as the mother defending it, inappropriate in a public school, all the worse in a catholic school. Good for the priincipal for standing for something, just hope they don‘t turn out a hypocrite when it’s all said and done.
LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on February 6, 2012 at 7:12amNot appropriat at all, not acceptable at all. This kid needs some adult guidence. Anyone who thinks this is okay is sick in the head.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on February 6, 2012 at 7:17amThat’s what happens when they pitch singers that dance like that to kids. If you didn’t want to see a Michael Jackson performance, that you know he’s going to grab his crotch in (if he’s anywhere near accurate and true to form), then don‘t allow it when he writes down what he’s doing. Look at half the singer/dancers today (including the half time performance) where they look like they’re humping on stage.
Report Post »LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on February 6, 2012 at 7:27amI always thought it was vulgar when MJ did it, and now its ok for a nine year old kid to grab his crotch BECAUSE ITS A DANCE?? So pathetic!! Grabbing your crotch is NOT DANCING. Liberals are disgusting.
Report Post »SLOWBIDEN
Posted on February 6, 2012 at 11:46amIf Michael Jackson was still alive he would have grabbed the little boys crotch. Then he would apply to be a coach at Penn State.
Report Post »TNYJ
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:17am“Boberg said her son has performed similar Jackson dance moves the past two years at the event without incident, and told the newspaper his routine had been approved during a rehearsal earlier in the week.”
If it was such an issue, why did the school approve it? They could have asked the boy to pick another Jackson song to avoid issue. I say the fault is on the school for this one. They had the chance to approach him way before the day of performance. OR, at very least tell him, we know this was one of Jackson’s signature moves, please omit it.
Report Post »tajloc
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:13amThis is so easy. No suspension cuz any idiot would know that MJ in any talent show would have to be way supervised by the staff. Suspend the teacher for a few days….she/he writes a letter of apology and gives it verbally to the community. The principal should be included in the letter writing. All noted in the supervisors files. The kid and parents will know this is wrong.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:42amSo im guessin nobody went to his rehearsal…..
Report Post »Weiners Wiener
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 4:50pmThe boy should not only be suspended, but expelled, and imprisoned. Not for dancing like Michael Jackson, but for listening to him in the first place.
Report Post »The Jewish Avenger
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 5:13pmMaybe they thought he was doing a self autobiography by molesting himself pretending to be MJ and a pedophile victim…
Next week would have been the trial… fascinating piece…
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 6:08pmA Black Boy Doing This Would Have Won First Prize.
The audience like it. He was good. White males are attacked no matter what they do.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 6:17pmI Think We Are All Getting Sick Of This Liberal Double Standard Of Public School Racism
Blacks have been set on a pedestal by School Liberals and are now too black to fail or do anything wrong.. They shoot and kill other students, attack teachers and invent Flash Mobs so they can get away with petty theft. Yet if a young white kid emulates a black to get some acceptance the racist School administrator suspends the kid. It just proves that what black are getting away with is wrong and disgusting. Its is only when a white kid does the same thing that its seen for what it is.
It makes me sick, how about you?
Report Post »2theADDLED
Posted on February 6, 2012 at 1:01amI thought MJ did that to keep his prosthetic in place.
Report Post »Jay8263
Posted on February 6, 2012 at 4:18amTEAMARCHESON, your rationalization makes no sense … I think your argument is immature and you are deflecting the real issue. This had noting to do with race so before you start accusing others you really need to look at yourself. It may be funny or cute to you for example your kid or nephew performing for the family, but to expose other 9 year olds! think about that/ It’s not art either… His mother should have hold him to grab his belt not his penis !!! end of story now the principal is teaching him manners!
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:59amHave to agree with the school on this one (for a change). The mother should have had more sense than to think this dance move was okay – it wasn‘t okay when Michael did it and it still isn’t okay when singers/dancers do it. It was. and is, a pathetic example to set.
Report Post »richard the lion-hearted
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:38pmYou tell ‘em Grandma!!
Report Post »rtlane28
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:59amYou have to be a really screwed up parent to allow or encourage a nine year old boy to impersonate Michael Jackson. The crotch grabbing crap is clearly not appropriate for a nine year old yet the mother defends it. I wonder what limits the kids parents actually enforce.
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:07amYes the crotch grabbing is completely innappropriate. Though I’d be more concerned with everyone involved that thought there was no problem with a kid wanting to do an impersonation of a pedophile.
Report Post »Warphead
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:54amThis was fair. The boy should have been suspended. This is a clear message that the uncivilized behavior that this country once tolerated is no longer welcome, especially in our schools. As for the mother, Well, she should be called into the school office and told, under no uncertain terms, allow your child to act in this manner again and he will be expelled. It is a shame that sometimes a child must pay for the stupidity of the parent.
Report Post »semihardrock
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:54amHe must not be a homosexual or transgender student. Only they can peform and PROMOTE without moral punishment within the Dept of Education (DOE) and the “new” Communist Government
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 12:00pmIts a private school…. No commies allowed !!!
Report Post »Flagwaver
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:51amI, personally, see nothing wrong with the child’s routine. The boy has the moves down pretty well. If it was pre-authorized, then the summary punishment was completely and totally wrong.
As for the Michael Jackson comments. In America, we believe in innocence until proven guilty. He was never proven guilty in a court of law when judged by his peers.
Report Post »dataway
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:58amInnocent until proven guilty? Surely he has lost his innocence. What is wrong with his parents????
Report Post »Laugh-ler14
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:07amIf you area a person who says they only want the truth, you cannot deny the fact that jackson was never proven guilty. The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off. -Gloria Steinem
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:13amInnocent until proven guilty applies only in the legal realm. Meaning you can‘t be sent to prison or have your property taken away until you’re proven guilty of a crime.
That doesn’t mean unless you can prove somebody guilty of a federal crime in a court of law that you must accept them as a hero and a proper role model for children.
Report Post »Jennsilly2
Posted on February 6, 2012 at 12:30amlike button.
Report Post »Laugh-ler14
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:49amDoesn’t anyone feel sorry for the kid in this situation? I grew up listening to Michael Jackson and and would have loved to be able to dance like him. This kid was pretty good, his dance was approved in rehearsals, and because someone weirdly got offended at the dance the boy was suspended from school. Really people? I hate when people are PC. But I also hate it when people do the same thing in the opposite direction and think its ok. You are doing the same thing you get so pissed off about when the left does it. Just chill out, go listen to some Michael Jackson CDs (because you know you have some), and let this kid get back to school. Sheesh.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:03amYeah I feel sorry for the kid …. because he has to be “confused” by the stupidity of “adults”. The behavior “ mimicking” of the youth is sad and should not be acceptable, especially at his age. It was sad when Michele Jackson did it, (and yes I liked some of his music). It is sad when teenagers walk around holding themselves, it is sad when they walk around with their underware and butt showing. It is sadder still that adults don’t have enough decency and conviction to put and end to it. SHEESH !!!
Report Post »Laugh-ler14
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:15amI can’t agree more, but I also don’t think that he should have been suspended. If someone needs to be mad at someone for this situation, be mad at whoever approved the dance. I would even say (and i know practically everyone will disagree with me) don’t be mad at the parents! The boy is doing a Michael Jackson dance for crying out loud. At least it’s not Lady Gaga, Death Metal, or some rapper that degrades women.
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 12:42pmLAUGH-
Report Post »THIS may be hard for you to believe but I have never bought a MJ CD.
The man was talented granted but IMO its inappropriate for a 9 year boy to impersonate MJ at a school function.
MJ did pay a huge sum of money to pay off some young boy who accused him of abuse.
teamarcheson
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 6:26pmI feel sorry for him. Whites cannot copy the black man who wanted to be white. If the kid was black this would not have happened and it would not be a story.
Report Post »mathews2113
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:48amWhat concerns me the most is why the boy’s parents allowed him to dance in that gay fashion. When kids are at a young age they may be a little confused about their sexuality its the parent job to steer them in the right direction. Contrary to popular belief people aren’t born gay.
Report Post »aquablue
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:47ami have a problem with the dummy that allowed it. who is the dummy?
Report Post »hi
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:46amI was suprised when little girls in 2nd grade did sexual dance moves and their mothers thought nothing about it. They want their little girls to be cheerleader/dancers so badly and just don’t see anything wrong.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 6:29pmYes, you are right. The little girls must be taught that if they want to be Cheer Leaders when they get older they must be willing to lean to service the night time needs of the team. Those gorgeous blond Cheer Leaders on scholarship are probably told that their job is to help the team relax between games.
Report Post »Gabbie
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:46am1st question: Why was it approved in the first place and 2nd question, in reading the article, it stated that there were other acts that were more questionable??????????God Lord, just what are 9 years old kids doing in school these days.Not good for Christian Schools reputation, which is down the drain as far as I am concerned for this school. They have a lot of repair work to do with the parents and why would a mother or father allow their son to do a crotch grabbing dance at the age of nine.
Report Post »rdk
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:39amWhy did Michael Jackson always grab his crotch?
Report Post »Gabbie
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:47amProbably the same reason dogs lick theirs, It is because they can
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:34amNo Gabby, dogs lick their —– cuz they can’t make a fist !!!
Report Post »SweetDoug
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 12:41pmI have pondered this myself, this crotch grabbing show. Wow, did that almost not come out right, eh?
This crotch grabbing routine, has spread across what we will call “the black-American culture”. I never got it, as understood it. I watched it spread into Canada.
It’s culutral and if you subscribe to the culture, well, you start doing it.
It is presented as an agressive, in-your-face alpha male, insult, when I think it is nothing of the sort.
My revelatiion came, when I noticed my buddy’s 3 year old boy, suddenly scared by a loud noise, and where did his hands go? They went to cover his genitals as he looked around to find out what had happened.. It was, and is and act of a child, who is frightened.
Could it be that the male black culture has now never grown out of childhood? That somehow, this motion, has crept into it’s existence as a psuedo illustration of what it truly represents? The permanent infantilization of the male in black culture, despite what obviously it is presented as, an overcompensation for aggressive, alpha male act?
Reading too much into this? Well, somebody smarter than me, should looking to the genesis of it, because combined with the infantilization of our culture in general, I‘m sure there’s something there.
Combine this with the the baggy-pants look, which is derived from prison culture and you have a said statement on the role models for black culture today.
Besides, it looks ridiculous. Real men don’t grab their c
Report Post »richard the lion-hearted
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:46pm@SweetDoug
Report Post »Too much analyzing, it’s a gesture of lack of control of oneself, where the ‘crotch’ is all they think about and live their lives by.
Detroit paperboy
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:36amThank God he chose Billy Jean… And not “ Beat it ” wow ! Who knows what that dance woulda looked like …..
Report Post »mwhaley
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:33amBillie Jean, a song about a woman getting pregnant out of wedlock, then confronting the daddy with his child. Then you have a child dancing to this song grabbing his crotch. In a christian school. Priceless!
Report Post »jingoistic.patriot
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:08amThe mother should have her head examined and the school should be asked why they would allow a child, any child, to perform music that was originally done by a pedophile.
Report Post »neverending
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 9:57amNo surprise at all when we see videos on you tube of the same behavior in some of our so called Christian universities.
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:08amIt was harrd for my kids to not understand that it was for this reason I never bought them any MJ cd’s! He was a filthy ****** that only wanted to get in little boys pants. To this day my 3 sons in 30‘s still don’t have a MJ cd so I think I won.
Report Post »neverending
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:14am@turkey13 – I totally relate to that. Always happy to know others have done the same.
Report Post »DD313
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 9:50amIf it is true that the entire routine as shown on the video was performed beforehand and approved, then someone in the faculty should face discipline, and the student should have his record expunged. If the grabbing moves were not performed in the prescreening, then discipline would be appropriate. Even then, it would seem that the principal overreacted, because the “gross misconduct” standard necessary for a summary suspension was clearly not met. Grabbing someone else’s crotch at school would have been a different story.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 9:57ammy kids go to a Christain private school, and heathen behavior such as this would have no place on school grounds. This is part of the problem with churches in America. They want to play with the filth of the world, to include the heathen music
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 9:47amHe would have been applauded in a public school…. Like Lenny, all my kids went to private schools….he probably learned a good lesson, lets hope so ! Good thing he Did’nt do”“ Beat It””……
Report Post »Apple Bite
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 9:45amWith the BS these schools are indoctrinating the children with, I’d rather see a crotch grabbing dance 5 times during the week.
Report Post »oneshiner
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:45amMJ was always a disgusting person to me. The crotch grabbing was humiliating but allowed. The worst thing happening at High School dances now is what they call freaking. The low life kids doing this are shameful and look more like dogs in heat than dancing. Where do these kids come from? It’s insulting and disgusting and should not be allowed. Is this how you want your children to act?
Report Post »chips1
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 12:30pmONESHINER:
Report Post »Your comment reminded me of the song by Rufis Thomas in early 50′s called “Walking the Dog”. The first release was called “Doing the Dog” and it was banned because of the way it was being danced. It seemed to be straight from Africa.
oneshiner
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 4:24pmWell Chips, I saw coverage on TV and the were, “doing the dog.” Even dogs stop when the duty is done.
Report Post »dissentnow
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 9:44amCrotch grabbing is pretty inappropriate in my book. Nine year olds crotch grabbing is pretty disgusting. I wonder who approved of this “act” during the rehearsals earlier in the week. I would punish those people more than i would punish this kid.
Report Post »Abraham Young
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 9:37amAw, gee, you mean the demoralization of American students had a minor disruption?
Report Post »Don’t worry, they’ll be back.
BrerRabbit
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 9:36amThis says a lot about the mother. What was she thinking…..or not!
Report Post »HumbleCitizen
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 9:36amAll performances should be prescreened and approved (as the article said this one was). Perhaps the school needs to establish guidelines for performance material. Elementary age is too young for crotch grabbing and wardrobe malfunctions.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 9:46amYes – by all means let’s get government approval on ALL activities! The child’s mother is the idiot in this story. She should not have allowed the questionable “dance” move.
Report Post »dissentnow
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:05am@82
Report Post »True, the mother is an idiot, but having the school define what is and what isn‘t appropriate is not the same thing as having the federal government define what is and what isn’t appropriate. The school is well within its rights to call a 9 year old boy grabbing his crotch “inappropriate”.
HumbleCitizen
Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:23am@82
Report Post »My apologies for the confusion, I don’t mean government approval. Within our schools we have decision making boards consisting of PARENTS, teachers and the principle to establish a framework of guidelines. All meetings of this board are open and posted. Any parents may speak regarding an issue near and dear to them. It is this type of inschool system I was referring to.