A Florida mother has accused her son’s elementary school teacher of racism after the teacher sang a playful version of the “Happy Birthday” song that included the words “you look like a monkey” — a line commonly used in children’s birthday celebrations for decades, as reported by The Blaze.

The incident took place at Floral Avenue Elementary School in Polk County, Florida, where first-grade teacher sang the traditional parody song during a classroom celebration for 6-year-old student, as seen in a video shared with the boy’s family.

The song went, “Happy Birthday to you, you live in the zoo, you look like a monkey, and you smell like one, too.”

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While the lighthearted version of the song is widely recognized and has been sung to children of all backgrounds, the child’s mother, Desarae Prather, viewed the gesture as racially offensive.

“I automatically said that’s unacceptable and I don’t feel, I don’t think nothing’s funny about it,” Prather told local media outlets.

“My skin is boiling. I don’t even like racism, and to know where we come from and our ancestors and for us to be labeled like that — because when they call us monkey, they basically saying that we’re ugly, we act like a monkey and all this and that. I don’t like that at all.”

Prather said she sent a written complaint to the Polk County School Board demanding an apology, disciplinary action against the teacher, and counseling for her son. She later showed up in person at the school after not receiving a response.

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School officials have not publicly commented on the incident or indicated whether the teacher faces disciplinary review.

The video of the classroom moment gained attention online after the mother’s complaint became public, prompting widespread debate over intent, cultural sensitivity, and the long-standing use of the “monkey” line in children’s songs.

The incident also drew commentary from BlazeTV hosts Jason Whitlock and Shemeka Michelle, who discussed the case during a segment on Monday.

“You can’t make this up,” Whitlock said, laughing.

Michelle responded, “I’m thinking, where is the dad? Is he just quiet? Does he not want to be on camera? Is he in the child’s life? Because if he isn’t in the child’s life, he would need counseling more for that than being sung a happy birthday song.”

“It’s crazy,” she added. “It’s the usual suspects. Always offended, never ashamed.”

The Polk County School District has not released an official statement, and the teacher’s name has not been made public.

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