"You know? Frederic f**king Chopin?"
I am sure today’s school kids have memorized all of Stephen Foster’s songs. /s
In 5th grade we learned “Ol’Black Joe.” Those were the days.
Stephen Foster was born in Pittsburgh. There was a memorial statue of the composer on the University of Pittsburgh campus. It depicted Foster with a little black (African-American) lad sitting at his feet playing a banjo.
After the St. Floyd debacle, the Pitt black student yammerers made a gigantic stink claiming the statue was insulting to blacks because Foster was standing and the little black Sambo was sitting at his feet.
To my utter dismay and to his undying shame, the Chancellor of my beloved University TOOK DOWN the memorial of the composer of such lovely songs like “My Old Kentucky Home” and “Beautiful Dreamer” as if there is something embarrassing about it.
Professor G. shame on you.
My 4 girls, wife and I saw that play each time we visited Ky. Last time 1998. It was beyond stunning. Favorite part of trip for ALL of us. The last Bardstown trip was so hot in the evening that crickets almost drowned out the actors.
Foster was an Americana treasure, for those who have heard his songs, anyway. 😾