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When will people realize that political correctness has gone too far? When will they realize that in an effort to “protect” people from bad things, our entire country is looking and acting a crop of snowflakes who just can’t deal with life and reality. The latest exhibit in this madness is the New York Yankees dumping Kate Smith singing “God Bless America” during 7th inning stretch because suddenly songs she sang way back in the day are racist.
No, I’m not kidding. Kate Smith’s 1939 recording of “God Bless America” has been played for 18 years at Yankee Stadium. For 18 years, not a single person had a problem with who was singing the song. Heck, I’m not even sure they knew WHO was singing it over the loudspeakers!
But now, everyone knows because some triggered social justice snowflake out there decided that Kate’s past history is bad, therefore the song must go!
“Smith was a famous singer before and during WWII who recorded the offensive jingle, “Pickaninny Heaven,” which she directed at “colored children” who should fantasize about an amazing place with “great big watermelons,” among other treats. She shot a video for that song that takes place in an orphanage for black children, and much of the imagery is startlingly racist. She also recorded, “That’s Why Darkies Were Born,” which included the lyrics, “Someone had to pick the cotton. … That’s why darkies were born.”
The Yankees are investigating these claims and there are some conflicting notions regarding the song “That’s Why Darkies Were Born,” in particular, because it was considered satire at the time and recorded with African-American artist Paul Robeson. Still, her shocking lyrics from 1939 are neither humorous nor ironic in 2019 — and the Yankees acted swiftly.”
Wait a minute, that song was satire? That song was even sung by a famous BLACK singer named Paul Robeson?
I have some problems with this.
First, because the Yankees and NHL’s Philly Flyers have so publicly dumped Kate Smith’s rendition to the curb, there are folks out there who now believe that the actual SONG is racist.
Second, while those other songs she sang wouldn’t be sung today, didn’t anyone bother to stop and think that we can learn a great deal about the American culture of the 1930s by doing things like finding out who wrote those songs? Who in addition to Kate Smith sang those songs? History is important and erasing it because of words is very 1984. Erasing people as the Flyers are doing is just as bad.
The Flyers have removed Kate Smith's rendition of "God Bless America" and covered up the statue of the opera singer near the Wells Fargo Center in light of several songs by Smith containing racist lyrics being unearthed.https://t.co/HgoXjhMiGU
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) April 19, 2019
Third, how many songs, artists, movies, and TV shows are going to suddenly be erased because an individual clutches pearls over actions or words by the artist that happened long ago?
Kate Smith died over 30 years ago. Yet because some idiot did some digging we are now supposed to point our fingers and label her a racist?
So all the joy that Kate Smith's singing brought to the world goes down the memory hole, because 90 years ago she recorded a *possibly* racist song (Paul Robeson recorded it too) that no one remembers her for anyway.
Another win for the totalitarians.https://t.co/j0D9EyCG2i
— Jeff Jacoby (@Jeff_Jacoby) April 19, 2019
In the 1930’s baseball was decidedly racist. That is a fact of history that cannot be erased. Yet here the New York Yankees are doing their best to erase Kate Smith because of the same.
Political correctness is damaging us all. If people can’t understand the difference between the singer and the song, then that’s a problem with them. Not the rest of us.
Feature Photo Credit: Alexandra Hemmerly-Brown via army.mil, cropped and modified
PapaMAS says: So, because some clown can’t understand satire, everybody else has to bow and scrape and beg forgiveness? You are right, this is absolutely ridiculous.
Scott says: To hell with the Yankees, I’ve been a Flyers fan since birth, and Kate has been a fixture for them since the beginning. Their actions on this are absolutely ridiculous, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Kate puts a hex on them from beyond the grave. The SJW’s are angry, miserable people, with no capability for rational thought, and want everyone to be as miserable and emotion driven as they are.
Screw them all, and I pray that the Flyers come to their senses… (posts on their social media are absolutely excoriating them.. (not many SJW Flyers fans I’d imagine)
GWB says: (not many SJW Flyers fans I’d imagine)
Not many SJW hockey fans, I’m guessing. All that violence!
Dennis says: The “dunk tank” at every school/church carnival was originally called ,”drop the chocolate drop”, and the man sitting there was the black man who used to stick his head through a target that people aimed hardballs at.
Should this be banned too?
Dennis the librarian shusher
GWB says: Still, her shocking lyrics from 1939 are neither humorous nor ironic in 2019
No, they still are. Just because YOU are a HUMORLESS SCOLD doesn’t mean the rest of us have to fill our hearts with HATE like yours.
Honestly? That bit is just a way of saying “you might think they proved me wrong, but I refuse to acknowledge it.”
very 1984
Also very Stalinesque.
covered up the statue of the opera singer
Because NY doesn’t have any Confederate statues, I guess.
(Oh, and remember when “covering statues” gave the media conniptions?)
Kate Smith died over 30 years ago.
So did John Wayne. And yet….. *eyeroll*
Yet because some idiot did some digging we are now supposed to point our fingers and label her a racist?
Yes. Because everyone must be perfect or they must be made to wear the cap or the sign, even if you have to open their grave to do so. Of course, these people don’t understand (or don’t care) that they aren’t perfect, either. (They generally don’t understand human nature, at ALL.) Remember, it’s not an academic philosophy or a political ideology – it’s a religion.
In the 1930’s baseball was decidedly racist.
Well, there were elements of racism still moving through ALL of our society, unfortunately.
And yes, this is profoundly idiotic primarily because she’s dead. She can’t repent. She can’t defend herself. (To that person that just screeched, “There IS NO defense!”, whatever. Now go away.) And YOU can’t possibly hurt her – only God can judge her now. And nothing you do about this will possibly increase racial harmony or help eliminate actual racism – more likely to actually hurt (just like “sensitivity training” has been shown to make workers rebel and not adopt the desired outcomes). So, your stupidity is actually making it worse, so STFU and STFD. And maybe learn from folks who are wiser.
Nina Bookout says: Nice one GWB!
GWB says: You know, I’m genuinely surprised about something.
This SJZ was NOT triggered by the mention of God in the song! Did she not notice? Or is that not a problem to her?
Should we start a SJZ mob to have her recant her insufficient wokeness?
kt says: I would like to witness a theatre full of snowflakes watch an uncut version of Blazing Saddles.
Nina Bookout says: I’d happily furnish the popcorn for that show!
Jamie says: We’re sick of clowns who prostrate themselves before the altar of political correctness. Only the ignorant hold the norms of the past against those in the present. Sooo Yankee’s GFYS’ves.
D J says: While OT I should point out that minstrel shows had segregated seating. Which means blacks attended minstrel shows, because many blacks loved the shows.
Kevin says: I doubt there are a lot of Flyer fans in a city like Philly. After all, hockey is a “white privilege sport. isn’t it?
Scott says: Still a few “working class” neighborhoods in the city… and surrounding area is still huge with fans
Marko says: “Remember, it’s not an academic philosophy or a political ideology – it’s a religion.”
Of course it is, and in its most hysterical iteration they disinter the bones of the offender, then burn and scatter them. See Wycliffe, John.
Let it never be said that these folks have any moral consistency though, as they steadfastly justify the blatant racism of Margaret Sanger, and line up to receive the award in her name from Planned Parenthood.
Also, make no mistake – getting rid of “God Bless America” is a double-plus good in their eyes, no matter who sang it.
GWB says: Excellent example!
And, it was said of that action that as his ashes went down the Sevyrn and out to sea, so Wycliffe’s desire for the Word went out to the whole world. May this sort of action have the same end result.
Jerry Pytlewski says: She looks like the grim reaper or an orthodox Muslim. I’m DONE with this country. The weak who fold to any pressure suggesting political incorrectness have taken control. They have finally made me a racist, have given me no choice, and if they can do it to me, they can do it very easily to those with a predilection for racism. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were slave owners, why don’t we take down or cover every statue of them and remove them from history? I’m serious, this is a divide that will destroy this country. Congrats, libs, you finally got your wish of division and I have to fight against eveything you stand for. Oh, and by the way, it’s ok for our black social heroes like Meek Mill to flaunt probation over and over and sing about niggaz and hoes. Relegate white people to the slave promoting, minority hating, “privileged” group that the social asshole liberal democrats just know they are. Just like they know Trump is guilty in spite of the Mueller investigation findings. Take off that ridiculous black drape. Disgusting!
Wfjag says: Cover Kate Smith’s statue with a tarp.
— Make Fat Shaming Great Again!
SFC D says: So, if we follow the SJW playbook, Major League Baseball was racist in the past, and therefore must be abolished.
GWB says: Oh, they would abolish it ALL because in the Brave, New World you will have no need for such pastimes. You will need only your soma.
a bee ee? says: I heard a term for this: “offense archaeology”.
John says: Ed Snider is turning over in his grave right now….what would he say to those in his organIzation that have decided to go spineless in their lack of defense of this woman…he would say “let he is who without sin cast the first stone!” Times were different, people were different, and whether you agree or disagree with what our past generations did, we are not those that should judge them! All the good that she did while alive for this country and the Flyers has been ignored for one possible misstep…GOD BLESS KATE!
Dolores says: How about all the entertainers (heavily Jewish) who performed in blackface? Bing Crosby, Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, George Burns, Milton Berle, Fred Astaire, Gene Autry, Desi Arnaz, and on and on. Churches and corporations in my home town (in Connecticut) in the 40s and 50s produced minstrel shows as community entertainment. These things have to be considered in the context of the times. How will future generations judge today’s values?
Debbie says: Why is okay for one race to speak there mind anyway they want or do have what they want today in this day (black that is ) but no one else can everyone else has to give in or the the crap starts they have all black schools, all black award shows miss America ect but if anyone on else does this it’s a problem so don’t say they don’t have rights they have more than anyone
Suburbanbanshee says: It usually is not a matter of black people complaining, but rather of white people virtue-signalling without asking. Like the white woke woman who told a native Hawaiian guy that his dancing hula girl figurine was offensive to Hawaiians. She did not change her tune when she found out he was Hawaiian, and the SJWs do not care if all black people agree or disagree.
Scott says: Just heard that the idiots removed the Kate Smith statue in Philly.. sad that the Flyers will now be screwed….I can only imagine the hex she’ll put on them. Can’t believe that the management has become such P#&*y”s that the’re giving in to these whiners! How far they’ve fallen from the “Broad Street Bullies”
Blue Toof says: The groups that could come to the defense of Kate Smith are the sportscasters. However, their jobs depend upon towing the team owners’ line. You’ll never convince me that it wasn’t “God Bless America” that was the real target for elimination.
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