The Equal Rights Commission is to sue any U.K. local authority education department which allows the use of the traditional poem "2 Little Dicky Birds" in the classroom.
The ERC, which aims to 'combat discrimination and promote equality', is homing in on this seemingly harmless rhyme on the grounds that it "blatantly ignores the female gender and the latter's contribution to society".
The Commission is acting on behalf of the estate of the late Mary Travers, who was one third of the world famous 60's folk group Peter, Paul and Mary.
The guardians of M/s Travers' estate claims that "every time this poem is read out in a classroom, the memory of Ms Travers and the integral part she played in the success of one of the biggest acts in the 1960's is devalued and degraded".
The offending line is "Fly Away Peter, Fly Away Paul".
Acting on behalf of the estate, The Equal Rights Commission is demanding that the line "...Fly Away Mary" be inserted into the poem forthwith or legal action will follow.
