Are children’s folk songs racist? DePaul University music education professor Jacqueline Kelly-McHale says yes. She asserts that educators must do more than just change the lyrics of these common songs. Instead, they need to embrace, identify and teach students songs that create social pathways that not only teach musical notation, but also promote inclusion – otherwise we are doomed to repeat our problematic past. Kelly-McHale is an associate professor at DePaul’s School of Music. Jacqueline is an associate professor and director of music education at DePaul’s School of Music. For kindergarten through twelfth grade classrooms, her research focuses on culturally responsive teaching, the role of social justice in music teacher education programs and musical composition. Jacqueline also serves as a consultant for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Institute for Learning, Access and Training, and Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play® program. She earned her doctorate in music education from Northwestern University. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx