It was God Bless America they had to stop.
I listened to both versions of this song for the first time today. Ms. Smith’s version was more accessible (I really am not a fan of Mr Robeson’s singing. Yes, he had an operatic voice, but the sound of his register is just too low for my liking.) Anyhow, let those few of us who have a little historical knowledge point out what SHOULD be OBVIOUS: This song is not only NOT “racist” (which I would read to mean intended to poke fun at or ridicule or willify someone based on their race), but it is the very opposite of that. It is a song that LAMENTS what was then indeed a life of real discrimination and segregation for millions of working class African Americans. And it also expresses pride in their achievements and their faith, and in the VALUE of what they have done with their thankless, back-breaking labor. THINK about this people - would Paul ROBESON have sung this song if he thought it was demeaning? Paul R-O-B-E-S-O-N? You know, the man who didn’t exactly mince words about America’s treatment of African Americans? The man who didn’t exactly “go along to get along” in his life (to put it mildly!). That fact should end the debate (but for the epidemic of historical ignorance sweeping our culture.).
That could very well be true, and racism is just the excuse they used. 👎