Wildwood’s American Legion post has joined the Jersey Shore town’s mayor in offering to provide a new home for the Kate Smith statue taken down by the Philadelphia Flyers last weekend amid concerns over racist lyrics in songs she recorded decades ago.
“Since the removal of the statue, tens of thousands of comments have been posted to social media disagreeing with the decision of the Philadelphia Flyers,” the petition from American Legion Post 184 reads. “Veterans in Wildwood support the mayor’s plea to move the statue and have created this petition to show the statue’s owners just how much we care.”
While Smith’s 1939 hit “That’s Why the Darkies Were Born" has come under fire, her rendition of Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America" became beloved by Flyers fans after the organization began regularly playing it at Flyers’ games about 50 years ago.
Smith’s connection with the Flyers started in 1969 when a team executive ordered her version of “God Bless America” to be played instead of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” That led to her performing the song several times before games in the 1970s. A year after her 1986 death, the team erected the statue.
The move by the Flyers cut ties with Smith came after the New York Yankees suddenly stopped playing “God Bless America” during the 7th inning stretch of home games over the early recordings.
Who is Kate Smith? Why did the Yankees stop playing her ‘God Bless America’? What happened to her Flyers statue? What racist songs did she sing, and what are the lyrics?
Singer Kate Smith has been embroiled in controversy after racist songs she sang in the 1930s, including "That's Why Darkies Were Born" and "Pickaninny Heaven," were brought to the attention of the New York Yankees, who stopped playing her rendition of "God Bless America," and the Philadelphia Flyers removed a statue of her from their arena. Who is she? What other songs did she sing? Here is everything you need to know about her.
Earlier this week Wildwood mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. said his city would continue the tradition of playing “God Bless America” on the town’s boardwalk every morning. Later Troiano said Wildwood would take the statue of Smith if the Flyers no longer want it.
“American Legion Post 184 supports his decision 100%, and we are proud to be residents in a town where the Mayor has integrity and endless support for veterans,” the petition says.
“The removal of the statue is an attack on veterans who fought for this country. Without the veterans of this country, the American people would not know the freedoms they have today. Kate Smith traveled over 500,000 miles in her lifetime to perform for the troops. To us, she is Miss Patriotism.”
The now-controversial tune “That’s Why the Darkies Were Born" originated in the 1931 Broadway revue “George White’s Scandals,” and was considered satire at the time. Smith’s likeness also appears in a 1939 ad that heavily uses the mammy caricature, one of the most well-known racist depictions of black women.
The petition’s organizers hope to attract 1,000 signatures. As of Thursday morning, they had more than 200.
AP
Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider, Philadelphia Postmaster Joseph P. Kinney and Philadelphia Flyers hockey players present design of postage stamp honoring the late singer Kate Smith, in Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 19, 2010. Smith was best known for performing composer Irving Berlin's "God Bless America." (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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https://www.nj.com/cape-may-county/2019/04/american-legion-petition-to-bring-kate-smith-statue-to-wildwood-calls-removal-by-flyers-attack-on-veterans.html
2019-04-25 15:37:00Z
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