When, If Ever, Does it Stop?

[Keukasmallies]

The NY Yankees have discontinued playing Kate Smith's rendition of "God Bless America" at the seventh inning stretch in  response to a complaint that in the early 1930's Ms Smith recorded a "racially insensitive" song.  (The article notes that singer Paul Robson also sang the song at times.)

 

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26556341/yanks-drop-smith-god-bless-america-recording

 

When I was in  high school (1954 - 1958) I hit a black kid in a fight over a long-forgotten issue; has an office been set up where I should now submit a report of that incident and surrender my car keys?

[Uncle Joe]

It won't. First the DL, now this. ?

[eball]

I hate the song God Bless America.  I'd like to see it banned everywhere.

[KD in CA]

It stops when people stop voting for the politicians who quietly support/enable/bring pressure for this type of nonsense. 

[Dr. Who]

5 minutes ago, KD in CA said:

It stops when people stop voting for the politicians who quietly support/enable/bring pressure for this type of nonsense. 

Given the propaganda initiated in pre-K through the Ivy elites and everything in-between, Hollywood, media, Google newsfeeds, etc., unlikely to ever change short of complete societal collapse. We are technologically sophisticated barbarians without piety or wisdom.

[Gugny]

Another statue bites the dust ...

 

On Friday, the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers also announced its intent to distance themselves from Smith and her rendition of the song.

 

"We have recently become aware that several songs performed by Kate Smith contain offensive lyrics that do not reflect our values as an organization," said the Flyers in a statement. "As we continue to look into this serious matter, we are removing Kate Smith's recording of 'God Bless America' from our library and covering up the statue that stands outside of our arena."

1 minute ago, Dr. Who said:

Given the propaganda initiated in pre-K through the Ivy elites and everything in-between, Hollywood, media, Google newsfeeds, etc., unlikely to ever change short of complete societal collapse. We are technologically sophisticated barbarians without piety or wisdom.

 

What on earth would we gain for mass piety?

[Dr. Who]

1 minute ago, Gugny said:

What on earth would we gain for mass piety?

Well, piety in the sense of reverence for being, including past history, understanding of complexity and therefore decency towards persons who have lived without summarily dismissing their achievements when demagogues with moralistic hammers act like the Taliban destroying Buddhist statues, etc.

[Gugny]

Here are the lyrics to the song, "That's Why ***** Were Born,":

 

Someone had to pick the cotton
Someone had to pick the corn
Someone had to slave and be able to sing
That's why ***** were born;
Someone had to laugh at trouble
Though he was tired and worn
Had to be contented with any old thing
That's why ***** were born;
Sing, sing, sing when you're weary and
Sing when you're blue
Sing, sing, that's what you taught
All the white folks to do;
Someone had to fight the Devil
Shout about Gabriel's Horn
Someone had to stoke the train
That would bring God's children to green pastures
That's why ***** were born

 

*** The censored word is "dark.ies."  I am not trying to get around the word filter; I just think it's important context.

MORE ON GENIUS

 

Edited April 19, 2019 by Gugny

[Bill from NYC]

7 minutes ago, Gugny said:

Here are the lyrics to the song, "That's Why ***** Were Born,":

 

Someone had to pick the cotton
Someone had to pick the corn
Someone had to slave and be able to sing
That's why ***** were born;
Someone had to laugh at trouble
Though he was tired and worn
Had to be contented with any old thing
That's why ***** were born;
Sing, sing, sing when you're weary and
Sing when you're blue
Sing, sing, that's what you taught
All the white folks to do;
Someone had to fight the Devil
Shout about Gabriel's Horn
Someone had to stoke the train
That would bring God's children to green pastures
That's why ***** were born

 

*** The censored word is "dark.ies."  I am not trying to get around the word filter; I just think it's important context.

MORE ON GENIUS

 

That is awful no doubt. I do however wonder exactly when the Yankees learned of this.

[Gray Beard]

13 minutes ago, Gugny said:

Here are the lyrics to the song, "That's Why ***** Were Born,":

 

Someone had to pick the cotton
Someone had to pick the corn
Someone had to slave and be able to sing
That's why ***** were born;
Someone had to laugh at trouble
Though he was tired and worn
Had to be contented with any old thing
That's why ***** were born;
Sing, sing, sing when you're weary and
Sing when you're blue
Sing, sing, that's what you taught
All the white folks to do;
Someone had to fight the Devil
Shout about Gabriel's Horn
Someone had to stoke the train
That would bring God's children to green pastures
That's why ***** were born

 

*** The censored word is "dark.ies."  I am not trying to get around the word filter; I just think it's important context.

MORE ON GENIUS

 

That same word appears in the song Way Down Upon the Swanee River.  So does that mean that anybody who ever sang that song should also be banned? That would be a looooong list. 

Edited April 19, 2019 by Gray Beard

[KD in CA]

3 minutes ago, Gray Beard said:

That same word appears in the song Way Down Upon the Swanee River.  So does that mean that anybody who ever sang that song should also be banned? That would be a looooong list. 

 

Guess it's time to ban reruns of The Honeymooners, right SJWs?

 

p.s.  "Dark-ies" is word filtered?  

[Dr. Who]

Just now, Gray Beard said:

That same word appears in the song Way Down Upon the Swanee River.  So anybody who ever sang that song should also be banned. That would be a looooong list. 

It's unpopular to argue the point, but sensibilities are historically situated. What is eggregious for folks today was not contextualized in the same manner in the past. Retrospectively, its easy to characterize everyone in the past as bigoted, unenlightened knuckledraggers. I don't think that is just, but the current frenzy to destroy (implicitly also to signal one's "moral purity" so as to deflect the danger of the mob coming for you) really is the hallmark of totalitarian societies. In any event, its likely not everyone intended racially pejorative meaning where it seems obvious today. But folks will come after you with pitchforks and fire for suggesting it or at least try to make it so you can't hold a job or speak in public, that's the way we've been moving for decades now and it's accelerating in the age of social media.

[LeviF]

It's never going to end.  Forget that this song satirizes racism, if it offends one double-digit IQ snowflake, it must go and so must everyone and everything associated with it.  Because their feelings are more important than history and culture.

[row_33]

1 hour ago, Gugny said:

Another statue bites the dust ...

 

On Friday, the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers also announced its intent to distance themselves from Smith and her rendition of the song.

 

"We have recently become aware that several songs performed by Kate Smith contain offensive lyrics that do not reflect our values as an organization," said the Flyers in a statement. "As we continue to look into this serious matter, we are removing Kate Smith's recording of 'God Bless America' from our library and covering up the statue that stands outside of our arena."

 

What on earth would we gain for mass piety?

 

nothing

 

[BillsFanNC]

Maybe it ends after we get to tearing down the Lincoln Memorial. He was a racist after all.

[RaoulDuke79]

11 minutes ago, BillsFanNC said:

Maybe it ends after we get to tearing down the Lincoln Memorial. He was a racist after all.

I've been doing my part by replacing George Washington with Medgar Evers on all my $1 bills. 

[row_33]

23 minutes ago, RaoulDuke79 said:

I've been doing my part by replacing George Washington with Medgar Evers on all my $1 bills. 

 

you still have $1 bills in normal usage?

 

[Rockpile233]

Who has the time to sit down and research all of this? Would love to have that free time.

 

 

[RaoulDuke79]

1 minute ago, row_33 said:

 

you still have $1 bills in normal usage?

 

Sure, how else am I supposed to make it rain at the gentleman's club.

[row_33]

16 minutes ago, RaoulDuke79 said:

Sure, how else am I supposed to make it rain at the gentleman's club.

 

i have heard of this native practice.

 

that would be a demonstrably efficient use of the $1 bill

 

not sure what we do in Canada, $1 and $2 coins would hurt

 

[dpberr]

When does it stop?

 

Unpopular opinion:  When there's moral hazard to being recreationally outraged.  Right now, the media puts a face to the "bad guy" but often those outraged remain nameless, free to take the shots whenever, wherever they like without any consequence to themsevles personally.  It's fun to be outraged.  You're always in the pole position and you can easily use the "See, they are really bad guys.  How dare you question my outrage!" card when somebody tries to punch back.

 

 

 

 

[Mr Info]

It seems prudent to investigate past transgressions when related to public presentation of said person’s music, art, etc. Kate knew the lyrics to that song were racist. Perhaps if she were around she might apologize or mention that her manager/producer strongarmed her to sing it or she would lose her contract or something similar. If it offends people, then remove it. Some people now feel emboldened to mention a perceived offense where they may have remained silent years ago. It is the world we currently live in and I do not feel it is that hard to understand or comply with. 

 

It appears that a lot of people generally object to change. Smith’s GBA started at NYY 7th inning stretches after 9/11 so it has not been a tradition that long. Can another ‘tradition’ begin or just do something different...maybe more fun or ‘basebally’ during every 7th inning stretch? Just because GBA stops at NYY 7th inning stretches does not mean we forget 9/11.

[Gugny]

4 hours ago, Bill from NYC said:

That is awful no doubt. I do however wonder exactly when the Yankees learned of this.

 

3 hours ago, Gray Beard said:

That same word appears in the song Way Down Upon the Swanee River.  So does that mean that anybody who ever sang that song should also be banned? That would be a looooong list. 

 

3 hours ago, LeviF91 said:

It's never going to end.  Forget that this song satirizes racism, if it offends one double-digit IQ snowflake, it must go and so must everyone and everything associated with it.  Because their feelings are more important than history and culture.

 

As Levi points out, it was, indeed satire.  It was also sung by a black man.  It was a MUCH different time.  Does that make it right?  Nah.  But should such irrational (in my opinion) decisions be made based upon learning of it?  I certainly don't think so.

 

There have been some renditions of this song that have moved me nearly to tears.  Specifically some of the live performances (which I saw on TV) during Yankees games.

 

I think the Yankees ... and ESPECIALLY Phily, are overreacting.  Out of fear.  And that's sad to me.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.

 

[RaoulDuke79]

2 hours ago, row_33 said:

 

i have heard of this native practice.

 

that would be a demonstrably efficient use of the $1 bill

 

not sure what we do in Canada, $1 and $2 coins would hurt

 

Coins are only good for ass firmness test. If you can bounce a coin off her ass she's a winner. If it plops like it hit a bowl of oatmeal, send her packing.

[Cripple Creek]

5 hours ago, Gugny said:

Another statue bites the dust ...

 

On Friday, the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers also announced its intent to distance themselves from Smith and her rendition of the song.

 

"We have recently become aware that several songs performed by Kate Smith contain offensive lyrics that do not reflect our values as an organization," said the Flyers in a statement. "As we continue to look into this serious matter, we are removing Kate Smith's recording of 'God Bless America' from our library and covering up the statue that stands outside of our arena."

 

 

They’re gonna need a bigger tarp.

[Gugny]

42 minutes ago, Joe in Winslow said:

He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.

 

 

Did Yoda say that?

[Nanker]

 

 

[Misterbluesky]

5 hours ago, Gugny said:

Another statue bites the dust ...

 

On Friday, the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers also announced its intent to distance themselves from Smith and her rendition of the song.

 

"We have recently become aware that several songs performed by Kate Smith contain offensive lyrics that do not reflect our values as an organization," said the Flyers in a statement. "As we continue to look into this serious matter, we are removing Kate Smith's recording of 'God Bless America' from our library and covering up the statue that stands outside of our arena."

 

What on earth would we gain for mass piety?

It's only a matter of time before our anthem is stripped of us....

Our homeland pride is disappearing before our eyes,Gunner...you joined in '87..I left in '82...those "blood brother" days are tough to come by these days...

I was a "rubber stamp"....that group has thinned.

 

Burn my flag ,on my property ,in my backyard....and I will find a way to put you into hospitalization.

***** the new america.

 

[DC Tom]

25 minutes ago, Nanker said:

 

 

 

"Then I'll get a white woman who's wearing a navy blue sweater..."

[The Senator]

 

One of most racially charged films, IMO, is the 1942 Bing Crosby classic, Holiday Inn, featuring Bing and Margorie Reynolds in black face singing Irving Berlin songs.

 

I suppose we should ban the movie and all Bing Crosby films and music - including, from the same movie, Berlin’s White Christmas.

 

After all, the Me Too movement managed to get “Baby It’s Cold Outside” banned.

 

 

.

Edited April 19, 2019 by The Senator

[Gugny]

1 hour ago, Misterbluesky said:

It's only a matter of time before our anthem is stripped of us....

Our homeland pride is disappearing before our eyes,Gunner...you joined in '87..I left in '82...those "blood brother" days are tough to come by these days...

I was a "rubber stamp"....that group has thinned.

 

Burn my flag ,on my property ,in my backyard....and I will find a way to put you into hospitalization.

***** the new america.

 

 

Front yard's okay?

[RaoulDuke79]

11 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

Front yard's okay?

No.

[The Senator]

 

I suppose we’ll have to ban Caddyshack too...

 

 

.

[RaoulDuke79]

May as well tear the pyramids down. They were built by slaves. Maybe not the right slaves to elicit the outrage that fits the narrative of the American SJWs, but slaves nonetheless. .....to each their own,  but this made up contrived fake outrage bull#### is dividing the country more than anything else. 

Edited April 19, 2019 by RaoulDuke79

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

7 hours ago, Gugny said:

 

Did Yoda say that?

 

Orwell. 

[LeGOATski]

I'm not the person who cares enough to point it out and broadcast it. I'm open minded. Those were different times. My grandma was racist, too. It's all she ever knew. I still loved her.

 

But if it's out there now, then yeah, ***** that B word. Her version of the song is meaningless. It's absence will have no effect.

 

Bye.

 

You know what I mean?

[Keukasmallies]

2 hours ago, LeGOATski said:

I'm not the person who cares enough to point it out and broadcast it. I'm open minded. Those were different times. My grandma was racist, too. It's all she ever knew. I still loved her.

 

But if it's out there now, then yeah, ***** that B word. Her version of the song is meaningless. It's absence will have no effect.

 

Bye.

 

You know what I mean?

 

 

Not a'zackly.

[Dr. Who]

6 hours ago, Keukasmallies said:

 

 

Not a'zackly.

Progressives still love their bigoted grandmas. 

[I'm Spartacus]

21 hours ago, Joe in Winslow said:

He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.

 

He who controls the spice controls the universe! "Dune"