New York Yankees and Philadelphia Flyers dump Kate Smith

[malaise]

https://heavy.com/news/2019/04/kate-smiths-racist-songs/

Kate Smith, a popular Depression-era American singer, is most famous for her version of “God Bless America.” The song is played often at sporting events, including national and professional leagues and teams.

Not anymore. At least for the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Yankees.

In reports and statements, both teams have said that having recently learned about Smith’s history of racist songs, she’s been dumped.
On April 21, the Flyers issued a statement saying, “The Flyers have enjoyed a long and popular relationship with ‘God Bless America,’ as performed by the late Kate Smith, a woman who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor for her patriotic contributions to our nation. But in recent days, we learned that several of the songs Kate Smith performed in the 1930s include lyrics and sentiments that are incompatible with the values of our organization, and evoke painful and unacceptable themes.”

The Flyers added, “While Kate Smith’s performance of ‘God Bless America’ cannot be erased from its place in Flyers history, that rendition will no longer be featured in our game presentations. And to ensure the sentiments stirred this week are no longer echoed, earlier today we completed the removal of the Kate Smith statue from its former location outside of our arena.

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Good riddance

[Loki Liesmith]

1. Meh

Don’t care either way. If they’d kept her, fine. But I’m not bothered that they haven’t.

[Solly Mack]

2. Good.

[CTyankee]

3. there was a Hollywood story that had it the Tallulah Bankhead once called Kate Smith

"a tub of shit." It seems they had some kind of feud. My mother loved to tell that story as she sure was up on her Hollywood gossip stories...

[Elwood P Dowd]

4. And Tallulah was from Alabama

but she damn sure wasn't a conservative even though her father was a congressman from Alabama.

[malaise]

5. Love it

Tallulah was interesting for her time. I bet your mom was fun.

[Chipper Chat]

6. Maybe they ll get Roseanne barr to sing it.

A nod to trump

[TheBlackAdder]

7. Songs like "Pickaninny Heaven" and "That's Why Darkies Were Born." Ouch. The Kate Smith Mammy Doll.

.

The Heavy article goes into just a little more detail why that decision was made.

.

[malaise]

8. Yep - it's a good article

She was racist to the core - I'm glad people are waking up.
I remember DUer writing about her some years back.

[Blue_true]

11. She collaborated on one of those songs with one of the leading African American

activists of her day. That created some confusion about what she meant with the song. I read a more complete article a day or so ago, I think the man was named Paul Robeson, but I could be wrong on that, but at any rate, the article said that he was a leading Civil Rights activist of his time.

[malaise]

13. Paul Robeson is mentioned in this piece too

and he was a great man.
I was shocked to see that and would need more details.

[Blue_true]

26. Yeah more details are needed. Unfortunately all the people most closely

involved appear to all be dead. I wonder whether there is literature by one of the people that explains the purpose of the song, except that which appears obvious.

[hughee99]

24. So were these her songs, or songs she performed in someone else's movie? n/t

[WhiskeyGrinder]

9. Good.

[RhodeIslandOne]

10. "In recent days we learned"

Bullshit. This has been available information for awhile. I hate when people act like the “just uncovered” this stuff, like everything Trump has ever said on The Stern Show....

[GoCubsGo]

12. The Flyers should have dumped her ages ago.

Supposedly, she has been their "good luck charm" since 1975. Which was the last time they won a championship. Not exactly lucky, if you ask me, since that was 34 years ago.

I always wondered how the players on these teams are thinking whenever that song was played, considering that a substantial number of them are not American. The Flyers have a whopping 4 Americans on their current roster. 35% of the Yankees squad are Dominicans and other foreigner. Got to wonder what the non-natives think.

Kate Smith aside, I find that song almost as revolting as her racism. I wish they would both just ditch it altogether.

[PCIntern]

14. As a long-suffering Flyers Fan...

it was 44 years ago, not 34.

And the franchise sucks.

[GoCubsGo]

15. Oh geez, don't tell me that.

I was in high school back then, and now I feel really old. I guess I can't make that extra ten years go away. I'm a fan of another team, but have a spot for the Flyers. The first game I ever went to was during that first Cup year, when they came to Chicago. Got to see the players after the game when they were getting on the bus. My sister got a bunch of their autographs. Bobby Clarke is a really nice guy.

I feel for you. I'm a Cubs fan. I know what "long-suffering" means. And, the former "Worst Franchise in Sports" went 49 years before they went on their run. This, too, shall pass.

[PCIntern]

16. Here's a story for you

Bobby Clarke went to his dentist after he retired as a player and was hired as the GM. The receptionist who knew him for years said “Hi Bobby!” He replied “I’m to be addressed as “Bob” now, never “Bobby”.

He destroyed Eric Lindros and the franchise. That’s why we have sucked for years: among other reasons.

[GoCubsGo]

18. Well, to be fair, no adult male should be referred to as "Bobby."

Can't blame him for that one. I wouldn't be surprised the organization forced it on him. As for destroying the franchise, the best players often make the worst managers, be they GMs or coaches. Hopefully, whatever new guy the Flyers hire will be able to fix things.

[PCIntern]

19. It isn't that exactly

Though I take your point. This was the receptionist who considered herself an acquaintance since she’d known him for 15 years or so. Believe me, he left the organization generally despised by the fan base which is typical Philly.

[RhodeIslandOne]

17. I've never understood the dislike of God Bless America compared to America the Beautiful

Both have God invoked in it, and basically ask for the the same thing. A blessing from God or God shedding his grace on thee, not "GOD ONLY LOVES AMERICA NO ONE ELSE".

Yet God Bless America is treated as some right wing anthem but everyone gets the feels for Ray Charles belting out America the Beautiful.

I just find it funny. I'm against using national anthems prior to non international competitions or just saving it for something big like the Super Bowl or World Series instead of every Mudville ballgame.

[heckles65]

20. I have to cast a "I disagree."

The songs listed were ignorant and stereotypical - granted. But a small saving grace: they were not mean spirited. And no one is asking to revive them, just keep Smith and "God Bless America."

I'm just trying to avoid giving the righties one more reason to piss and moan and claim they're one step closer to the Gulag, without good reason.

[malaise]

21. Of course born to be slaves

is not mean spirited - not at all.

[heckles65]

28. I stand by what I said, malaise

Kate Smith was neither a sociologist or a political leader. Like Stephen Foster in his songs, she saw herself as bringing compassion to the downtrodden - even if she did so from a mindset that unmistakably saw a racial hierarchy as the natural order of things. As, to be honest, most white people did a hundred years ago; with some rare, commendable exceptions.

Smith's "God Bless America" was fading anyway from the cultural mosaic. I say, just let it continue fading away. As a anti-"political correctness" cross for the Right to hang on, I think this is a poor choice to give them.

[nini]

22. My grandma couldn't stand her

It wasn't much of a secret what a freaking nazi she was. But, I'm glad they're making it official.

Personally, I don't like any of those songs at athletic events.. national anthem too. It's too fake and forced.

[malaise]

23. Ditto

Bet your grandma was special

[nini]

25. She was a diehard Dem

Last edited Mon Apr 22, 2019, 09:23 PM - Edit history (1)

I heard her telling my 4 year old nephew to not vote republican because they're' against the working class..yep.. 4 years old. LOL I inherited her passion for politics and the fight involved.

She's spinning in her grave now I'm sure.

[malaise]

27. LOL - to not vote ReTHUG

sounds like my favorite aunt re the British royals