Posted on 04/19/2019 7:19:31 PM PDT by Impala64ssa
The Yankees have decided to no longer run Kate Smiths version of God Bless America during their seventh-inning stretch because of Smiths affiliation with songs that carried racist lyrics. Most famously, Smith sang a 1931 song, Thats Why Darkies Were Born, which opened: Someone had to pick the cotton, Someone had to pick the corn, Someone had to slave and be able to sing, Thats why darkies were born. The song, which has been called a satirical take on racism, was a big hit for Smith, and also was recorded by Paul Robeson. When the Yankees last month became aware of Smiths history, they switched to a keyboard version of God Bless America. The Yankees have played the song in the middle of every game since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks at the insistence of late owner George Steinbrenner. In 2009, the Yankees cut ties with singer Ronan Tynan, who had made numerous appearances at the Stadium to sing God Bless America, after he was alleged to have made anti-Semitic comments.
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LOL! Sammy tried to get on a bus in Birmingham, AL. The driver told him to get in the back. Sammy said “but I’m Jewish!”. To which the driver said, OK then, GET OFF!
My mistake. Philadelphia Flyers.
Should be:
(and later, the Philadelphia Flyers),
They have embraced the historical sin of “Presentism” that is judging the past by the standards of today. This is a slippery slope that leads to many bad things. As we judge Kate Smith for a silly song—remember the future will judge us by our Rap songs today. Remember: The Nazis broke no national laws when they murdered all those folks, nor did Mao or Stalin. The past is dead—as dead as Kate Smith. When the next big war comes (and it will) we may need Kate Smiths song “God Bless America.” If WW II was fought now—I don’t think we would win.
“They have embraced the historical sin of Presentism that is judging the past by the standards of today.”
A favorite of those, including Republicans, who enjoy tearing down statues honoring Confederate soldiers.
They already have moved on to Andrew Jackson. And once he is properly eradicated it will be time to target the first four Presidents hailing from Virginia.
Presentism Uber Alles
What is being overlooked is the historical racism of the Yankees and the Flyers. Yankees did not allow a black player until the mid 50s and not sure when the Flyers integrated. So by common logic they need to also ban their own racist organizations. Along with many other teams.
That song was So popular. Almost everyone sang it. Listening to it, it really isn’t complimentary - with today’s mores it should give you pause - but it is a song of the times, I guess. And it wasn’t just Kate Smith that sang it.
Many, many singers sang it. I listen to older 20’s and 30’s music, I have at least 5 versions of it. It was simply considered an older song, like My Old Kentucky Home and singing it didn’t make you a racist.
To single Kate Smith out is just the classic leftist feint of wiping out history so people are uneducated as to the past.
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