This too is Yonkers–by Eric W. Schoen
God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with the light from above.
What the heck is going on in this country? The PC (politically correct) police are out of control!
In case you have been living in a bubble, Last week, the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers announced they would stop playing Kate Smith’s famous rendition of “God Bless America” during games and would cover up her statue outside the team’s arena. The Flyers organization said it had discovered some of her songs contained racist lyrics and sentiments that were “incompatible” with their values.
Values? The Flyers, Back in the days of Dave Schultz and company? It seemed they frequently didn’t go 19 minutes without dropping the glove. Public fighting during games. Is that compatible with the Philadelphia Flyers ‘values?’
Our New York Yankees pulled Smith’s iconic version of “God Bless America” on April 1. The song had been a fixture at their games since 9/11. Smith’s rendition has been replaced with other versions.
The Yankees and Red Sox. Last Wednesday night the benches cleared twice during the Yankees’ 10–7 win. Boston took exception to a questionable slide from Yankees DH Tyler Austin, who clipped shortstop Brock Holt while trying to break up a double play. That led to Red Sox reliever Joe Kelly drilling Austin in the seventh inning, which ended with a full-scale brawl.
Values? Baseball field brawls. Good lessons for kids watching the Yankees with their parents? Would we see this in the days of DiMaggio? Ruth? Bera? Or is this just for show and to rile up the audience? .
Great balls of fire! It’s been more than 30 years since Kate Smith died, but the singer is at the center of a recent controversy about racist lyrics?
In 1933, yes over 85 years ago Smith starred in the film “Hello, Everybody!” in which she sang the song “Pickaninny Heaven.” The song asks “colored children” living in an orphanage to dream about a magical place of “great big watermelons.” The racist stereotypes employed in that song are part of the reason Smith is back in the spotlight.
Another song that has raised eyebrows in recent weeks is Smith’s 1931 rendition of “That’s Why Darkies Were Born,” written by Ray Henderson and Lew Brown. The song was also sung by African-American singer and activist Paul Robeson. Some people have said the song was originally considered satire. But today, those lyrics read much differently:
“Someone had to pick the cotton,
Someone had to plant the corn,
Someone had to slave and be able to sing,
That’s why darkies were born”
Did anyone say those lyrics were racist 88 years ago. Shall we go through music history from 1776 to see what other artists sang racist lyrics as part of their repertoire?
Has anyone listened to music in the last year? 5 years? 10 years? 20 years. If you tell me no artists have sung racist, offensive, politically incorrect lyrics, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.
Has anyone heard the foul language coming out of our current Presidents mouth? At rallies in front of young children. I find that more offensive than Kate Smith’s indiscretions 80 or 90 years ago.
If you want Kate Smith’s beautiful voice to be heard again at Yankee Stadium, make your voice heard America! Call Yankee Stadium at (212) YANKEES and push ZERO (0).
And salute Wildwood, N.J. Mayor Ernie Troiano for continuing to play God Bless America on the town’s Boardwalk. It signals time to stop riding your bicycle on the boardwalk, as well as a new day is dawning!
God Bless America my Home Sweet Home!
Briefs: Kudos to Assemblyman Nader Sayegh for an excellent Town Hall Monday night. It sort of felt like you were in Nader’s living room. He talked about so many important issues facing the state and sought reaction to them to help shape his position. For a freshman Assemblyman he did a superb job covering non-controversial and controversial issues. You can reach his office at 779-8805.
Councilwoman Shanae Williams, like many of our elected official sent out Easter and Passover greetings. I received several phone calls from Jews and non-Jews alike critical of its’ content. I won’t repeat it here. I contacted the Councilwoman, and she said:
‘Thank you for letting me know my message was offensive and I apologize for offending you and anyone else by that statement. I did not mean to imply people of the Jewish faith are any different from anyone else. As a human being I can tell you that we all have egos and it is a good thing to cleanse once in a while. I thought that this was a time for cleansing oneself but again, I apologize. I may have said the wrong thing but trust me, it was not to attack anyone nor was it to offend anyone in any way. Please accept my apology and extend it to whomever contacted you as well. Sign of a good Elected Official? She/he takes responsibility for their actions!
In my article last week I encouraged you to support your local Radio Station (WVOX 1460) and newspaper (Rising Media Group Newspapers). I have been critical of News 12. A reader pointed out to me: we still have a local 17 time Emmy Award winning newscaster, Tara Rosenblum at News 12 who investigates the local stories the regional and network stations do not . Keep up the good work Tara!
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericyonkers. Listen to Eric Schoen and Dan Murphy on the Westchester Rising Radio Show Thursday’s from 10-11 a.m. On WVOX 1460 AM, go to WVOX.com and click the arrow to listen to the live stream or download the WVOX app from the App Store free of charge.
