Crystal Dike
A Florida elementary school teacher has come under fire after she was filmed singing a Florida racist classroom birthday song to a six-year-old Black boy during a classroom celebration.
The incident occurred on September 29 at Floral Avenue Elementary School in Bartow, where first-grader Legend Whitaker was celebrating his birthday with classmates. After leading the class in the traditional “Happy Birthday” song, the teacher reportedly asked if Legend wanted to hear a “funny version.” She then sang:
“Happy Birthday to you. You live in the zoo. You look like a monkey, and you smell like one, too.”
The moment, which was captured on video and shared with the boy’s mother, Desarae Prather, has sparked outrage across social media and in the local community.
Prather described the act as racist, humiliating, and traumatizing for her son. “My son is going to be traumatized for life,” she said, demanding a written apology from the teacher and calling for her dismissal. She added that Legend expressed a desire not to return to the class.
Prather has since transferred her son to another classroom and is considering moving him to a different school entirely. She is also seeking counseling support for him.
Polk County Public Schools confirmed the complaint and said the incident is under review. In a statement, the district said it “understands and shares the concerns about the teacher’s actions and judgment” and that human resources officials are investigating.
As of the latest reports, the teacher has not been suspended, though she has faced online backlash, including threats, since the footage surfaced. The Polk Education Association, representing local teachers, noted that she had worked in the district for years.
The footage, widely shared online, has drawn criticism from civil rights advocates, parents, and media outlets who condemned the song as racially insensitive and unacceptable in a school setting. Critics say the Florida racist classroom birthday song highlights systemic problems that need urgent attention.
Prather insists that beyond an apology, stronger accountability is necessary to prevent similar incidents. “This is bigger than just my son. No child should ever have to experience this in a place they’re supposed to feel safe,” she said.
The investigation by the school district is ongoing, with parents and activists watching closely to see how officials respond to the Florida racist classroom birthday song controversy.