By the time she was eight, was singing for the troops at Army camps in the Washington area during World War I.
She contributed to selling over $600 million (equivalent to $10.2 billion in 2018) of war bonds during a series of marathon broadcasts. No other show-business star came near her.
In an address on CBS Radio, Smith stated, "Race hatreds, social prejudices, religious bigotry, they are the diseases that eat away the fibers of peace." She went on to say that it is up to us to tolerate one another in order to achieve peace.
On October 26, 1982, Smith received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor, by U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
New York Post
If the Bronx Bombers are serious about standing tall against racism, they must next ban the national anthem, which is sung before every game. Francis Scott Key, who wrote the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 1814, owned slaves — at least six of them, as a matter of historical record. Isn’t “ownership” of human beings a more grave offense than merely ridiculing black people in a song that a 24-year-old Smith had to perform at the behest of her record company? Key even refers derisively to slaves in the anthem itself. The forgotten third verse includes the lines, “No refuge could save the hireling and slave/from the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave” — a warning to blacks not to seek freedom (as some did) by escaping their white masters to fight with the British in the War of 1812.
Here's the song that got her banned by the Yankees and Flyers...
You going to try telling me Paul Robeson was racist too!
The way I see it that song educates people today on the plight of the negroes in 1931 like few others. Who's next to be banned, Kern and Hammerstein for their 1936 classic "Showboat"?
It was a shameful part of our history. As much as some would like to "whitewash" our American past it won't make the guilt go away. Nor should it Every person growing up should be made to watch these so we will be on guard against those who wish to demonize the likes of Kate Smith.
Kate Smith was the heart and soul of America (still is).
A country without memories of Kate Smith is not worthy.
Finally, a post in this blog I can read without mourning the loss of the country I served and live for. Why, this is exactly the opposite of the drivel you insist on polluting your blogs with, such as 'Now This', Slate, and Vox. Well Done.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't the opposite of anything. I think for myself and have my own views and am not a member of any club so I don't have to subscribe to anybody's views except my own.
DeleteFOX News (the propaganda network) is trying to sell people on the idea this was all the liberals idea of political correctness. Here's a flash-- liberals weren't consulted. They had nothing to do with those two teams' decision. It was all the Yankees and Flyer's idea. It's on them. They alone own it.
...drivel you insist on polluting your blogs with,
DeleteSpeaking of "drivel" holy shit did you see Trump's rally in Wisconsin last night? Yeah gads this was the President of the United States trashing just about everything he's suppose to represent. Called the FBI scum. Lied about baby killing moms. The list goes on and on. He just makes shit up sowing division everyway possible.
I can understand you don't agree with my views but surely you must see Trump's presidency poses a greater threat to our democracy then any of the ideas I've presented here. There's a vast difference between he and I. My wish is to change people's views. Not destroy them.
It was okay to remove Lee and Stonewall Jackson.Then came Stephen Foster's removal.Now its Kate Smith.Whats next imploding Mount Rushmore ?
ReplyDeleteDon't forget about our cash currency. They have depictions slave owners too. We're already making the transition apparently with nearly everyone using debit and credit cards with corporation logos instead.
DeleteCome to think of it.. it's pretty much the same thing in another way isn't it?