A California High School Denied a Visit From Macklemore and a $10,000 Grant in the Process

Zach Frydenlund
Updated
Students have launched a petition to allow Macklemore to come to the school.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' music is almost universally looked at as some of the most positive in hip-hop, but one California high school apparently thinks that they're spreading ideas of misogyny and drug use through their lyrics. Because of these concerns, Aliso Niguel High School recently turned down the opportunity to have Macklemore and Lewis come speak to students about the music industry that came together through a contest run by online tutoring site, Chegg. Not only that, but the school also turned down a $10,000 grant from the company, which would have gone directly to the art and music departments.

It's unclear why parents brought up these concerns about Macklemore's music in the first place, but the students are already fighting back, and recently launched a petition to get the decision overturned. One student—Quinn Darling—posted about the situation on his Instagram last night, and said that even though the student body debated with the administration about the decision, they wouldn't reconsider the ban. "I am personally offended by their decision as it is based off outdated evidence and our leaders have failed to see all the amazing movements and messages these artists have focused on spreading over the past few years which would be beneficial to every student at our school," Darling wrote.

The petition is currently seeking 5,000 signatures to help force the administration's hand, and thus far, over 1,200 people have signed it. Macklemore is aware of the situation, and tweeted his disappointment for the decision late last night. Students from the school are using the #BringBackMack hashtag on Twitter to help raise awareness for the situation on social media, and it definitely seems to be working. Whether or not the school changes their mind is another story.

Students of Aliso Niguel High School. As you already know, our school received the most votes and won a visit from @macklemore and @ryanlewis along with a $10,000 grant to our fine arts programs at Aliso. Sadly, due to the complaints of a few parents of Aliso Niguel students, who claim that Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are figures who promote drug use and misogyny, our Principaland Administration have decided to decline the visit and music grant. This decision was made regardless of the hour ASB spent debating and countering our Principal's claims. With all due respect, I believe admin has made a huge mistake. I am personally offended by their decision as it is based off outdated evidence and our leaders have failed to see all the amazing movements and messages these artists have focused on spreading over the past few years which would be beneficial to every student at our school. Most significant being a Gay-Rights movement and also many Anti-Drug messages. I am here to say our voice matters and we have been robbed of this amazing opportunity. I encourage you to repost this message or Respectfully share your own thoughts and work with us to spread a movement of Students speaking out for what is fair and just. #bringbackmack

A photo posted by Quinn Darling (@quinndarling) on Oct 12, 2015 at 7:06pm PDT

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