PORTLAND, OR (WCMH/AP) – Portland Public Schools bus drivers will have an expanded menu of listening options this school year.
The district drew criticism from some parents after a March directive limited drivers to radio stations that played pop, country and jazz. The district banned talk radio, religious stations and rap music, the latter of which led to allegations of racism.
“I understand not wanting bus drivers to play religious music because there is a separation between church and state, so you don’t want to play any specific religion, but when they select one type of music and it’s rap music and they call it offensive I think that’s a big problem,” parent Kim Sordyl told KPTV-TV.
District spokeswoman Courtney Westling says the intention was to limit student exposure to violent lyrics and religious teachings. She says the district is revising its guidance to drivers and it will be more inclusive of different genres.
The district issued a statement to KPTV-TV that read:
“We regret the way this was communicated. Our intent was to limit exposure to religious teachings, profanity and violent lyrics. The transportation department will be revising its guidance to bus drivers shortly to be more inclusive of different genres of music.”
Portland and rap music have had a strained relationship in recent years, with complaints that police target hip-hop clubs.
Portland Public Schools, however, was enough of a supporter to approve a hip-hop themed charter school. Poor planning by the organizers caused the school to be shut down shortly before its scheduled opening.