MB Flyer Fan, you nailed it , here is my explanation which is similar to yours...

I think you are mostly all forgetting that we are in very different times and are all products of the generation and where we born, where we grew up and what our parents or friends/peers leanings were. Kate Smith was a WWII singing icon mostly and her rendition of God Bless America was a Flyers good luck charm in the Cup years.
If you were born in a Confederate state ( yes I will call them that) not that long ago, or even born in Philadelphia many generations ago (or not that long ago) your views would be different. It is a fact of history though we are more enlightened now.
I suggest you all go the library or if its available online read the story of Camp William Penn, where the USCT ( United Sates Colored Troops) were trained during the civil war, in Cheltenham PA, in La Mott. Philadelphia for all its Quaker background was a very racist city. Oh yeah, and the Confederate troops that invaded Pennsylvania prior to Gettysburg took freeman and women citizens in York and Lancaster County and enslaved them. If you want to take down Kate Smiths statue for her past ( shes been dead a long time) fine, but dont forget we have people flying the Confederate flag in Pennsylvania, and that is a symbol of something far worse than Kate Smith's stupid song of her times.

Because most people understand it was a different time and posthumously attacking people for being a racist when they are unable to defend themselves is cowardly, wrong, and is an attempt to rewrite history like 1984.

She never needed a statue, Ill agree there, but taking it down and tarnishing her memory is cheap politics and virtue signalling.

And Ill let you in on a little secret. EVERYBODY knew about these songs. At the time they weren't really considered racist.

Its good that we live in a different time with different feelings towards it, but to whitewash history and ban things because of something that happened before most of us was born is no different than banning Little House on The Prairie or Tom Sawyer because people got butthurt over their accurate portrayals of the language of the time THEY WERE WRITTEN.

To be honest I wanted them to stop the Kate Smith stuff long ago because I felt like it ran its course. But to do it NOW because of some BS 50-60 year old racism charge is nonsense.
- MBFlyerfan

At least that steaming pile of poop Yankees franchise didn't give into the PC crowd.

Because most people understand it was a different time and posthumously attacking people for being a racist when they are unable to defend themselves is cowardly, wrong, and is an attempt to rewrite history like 1984.

She never needed a statue, Ill agree there, but taking it down and tarnishing her memory is cheap politics and virtue signalling.

And Ill let you in on a little secret. EVERYBODY knew about these songs. At the time they weren't really considered racist.

Its good that we live in a different time with different feelings towards it, but to whitewash history and ban things because of something that happened before most of us was born is no different than banning Little House on The Prairie or Tom Sawyer because people got butthurt over their accurate portrayals of the language of the time THEY WERE WRITTEN.

To be honest I wanted them to stop the Kate Smith stuff long ago because I felt like it ran its course. But to do it NOW because of some BS 50-60 year old racism charge is nonsense.
- MBFlyerfan

No no no you got it all wrong. The people clamoring to take down the statue if they were alive back then would have definitely felt the same way they feel now. Also if they were growing up in Germany in the 30’s they definitely would not have become nazis either and would have fought their way out of the country. So virtuous. Covering it up is not enough. I’m going down to WFC now. Whose with me?? And if your not, I have serious questions about your deepest and darkest beliefs you hold

Because most people understand it was a different time and posthumously attacking people for being a racist when they are unable to defend themselves is cowardly, wrong, and is an attempt to rewrite history like 1984.

She never needed a statue, Ill agree there, but taking it down and tarnishing her memory is cheap politics and virtue signalling.

And Ill let you in on a little secret. EVERYBODY knew about these songs. At the time they weren't really considered racist.

Its good that we live in a different time with different feelings towards it, but to whitewash history and ban things because of something that happened before most of us was born is no different than banning Little House on The Prairie or Tom Sawyer because people got butthurt over their accurate portrayals of the language of the time THEY WERE WRITTEN.

To be honest I wanted them to stop the Kate Smith stuff long ago because I felt like it ran its course. But to do it NOW because of some BS 50-60 year old racism charge is nonsense.
- MBFlyerfan

Not really nonsense. The Flyers are a brand and celebrating someone with these kinda ties is not a good look.

The Jefferson comparison someone threw out there is nonsense. These songs were done in the last century, not the 1700's.

Not really nonsense. The Flyers are a brand and celebrating someone with these kinda ties is not a good look.

The Jefferson comparison someone threw out there is nonsense. These songs were done in the last century, not the 1700's.
- hereticpride

So what is the date that racism became no longer tolerable oh high and mighty?

Just let Lauren Hart sing the damned song by herself.

So what is the date that racism became no longer tolerable oh high and mighty?
- Just5

It wasn't racism in 1700 it was the way of life.

(People crying over this need to get a grip)

So what is the date that racism became no longer tolerable oh high and mighty?
- Just5

Is this a serious response?

People in the 50's / 60's knew a lot better than people in the 1700's. Maybe look into taking a social studies course this summer.

A sad way for me to be glad to never have to hear that beat to (frank)ing death God Bless America rendition ever again
- hereticpride

We need this distance from everything 70's.

I am ready for a uniform revamp to.

No no no you got it all wrong. The people clamoring to take down the statue if they were alive back then would have definitely felt the same way they feel now. Also if they were growing up in Germany in the 30’s they definitely would not have become nazis either and would have fought their way out of the country. So virtuous. Covering it up is not enough. I’m going down to WFC now. Whose with me?? And if your not, I have serious questions about your deepest and darkest beliefs you hold
- Just5

We have evolved to a time that things like this are rightfully disavowed.

As time passes, the shock will subside and she will have her place as a footnote.

And there were non Nazi Germans, FYI.

Complete hypocrisy on the part of Comcast, which owns both the Flyers and MSNBC. They are tearing Kate Smith's statute down but allow a blatant anti-Semite, Al Sharpton, appear regularly on MSNBC. Al Sharpton called Jews "diamond merchants," "white interlopers," and stated "if the Jews want to get it on, they can pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house." He incited 2 riots against the Jewish community in New York - one in Crown Heights Brooklyn which resulted in the fatal stabbing of a Jewish Rabbinical student, Yenkel Rosenbaum, and another against a Jewish owned business, Freddie's Fashion Martin, in Harlem which resulted in an arson and the deaths of 7 people. The Crown Heights riots were nothing more than a pogrom. So, Comcast lets Al Sharpton appear on MSNBC regularly despite his history of anti Semitic words and actions but Comcast decides to tear down a statute of Kate Smith. Talk about a complete double standard.

(People crying over this need to get a grip)
- Tomahawk

Ya.

WHY DARKIES WERE BORN IS HORRIBLE.

And for those who cry it's PC run amok,
The people who give a damn out-number those who don't, and that is why businesses distance themself. Period.

Complete hypocrisy on the part of Comcast, which owns both the Flyers and MSNBC. They are tearing Kate Smith's statute down but allow a blatant anti-Semite, Al Sharpton, appear regularly on MSNBC. Al Sharpton called Jews "diamond merchants," "white interlopers," and stated "if the Jews want to get it on, they can pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house." He incited 2 riots against the Jewish community in New York - one in Crown Heights Brooklyn which resulted in the fatal stabbing of a Jewish Rabbinical student, Yenkel Rosenbaum, and another against a Jewish owned business, Freddie's Fashion Martin, in Harlem which resulted in an arson and the deaths of 7 people. The Crown Heights riots were nothing more than a pogrom. So, Comcast lets Al Sharpton appear on MSNBC regularly despite his history of anti Semitic words and actions but Comcast decides to tear down a statute of Kate Smith. Talk about a complete double standard.
- Bergey

This convo is localized to the Flyers, not Comcast, dude.

Al Sharpton is not shown to the fans before all big games.

And 2 wrongs do not make a right, you are correct.

All the wingnuts have outed themselves.

All the wingnuts have outed themselves.
- Tomahawk

Yep, fight for your right to: marginalize/insult/wrap your self in the flag that represents everyone.

We need this distance from everything 70's.
- DrMidnite

I agree, disco was the worst!!

We have evolved to a time that things like this are rightfully disavowed.

As time passes, the shock will subside and she will have her place as a footnote.

And there were non Nazi Germans, FYI.
- DrMidnite

There were plenty of people that thought slavery was wrong in the 17 and certainly 1800s. So why is Jefferson not covered up. Why is he celebrated?

I am glad that there are people more virtuous and studied than I am that know when the line is drawn.

Complete hypocrisy on the part of Comcast, which owns both the Flyers and MSNBC. They are tearing Kate Smith's statute down but allow a blatant anti-Semite, Al Sharpton, appear regularly on MSNBC. Al Sharpton called Jews "diamond merchants," "white interlopers," and stated "if the Jews want to get it on, they can pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house." He incited 2 riots against the Jewish community in New York - one in Crown Heights Brooklyn which resulted in the fatal stabbing of a Jewish Rabbinical student, Yenkel Rosenbaum, and another against a Jewish owned business, Freddie's Fashion Martin, in Harlem which resulted in an arson and the deaths of 7 people. The Crown Heights riots were nothing more than a pogrom. So, Comcast lets Al Sharpton appear on MSNBC regularly despite his history of anti Semitic words and actions but Comcast decides to tear down a statute of Kate Smith. Talk about a complete double standard.
- Bergey

Shhhhhh. Pipe down wing nut. Listen to sharpton and educate yourself

Quite a lot of consternation over a statue in a parking lot that nobody cared about until today.

I'd mention the song, but the Flyers haven't exactly been in any position to be playing it, so...

There were plenty of people that thought slavery was wrong in the 17 and certainly 1800s. So why is Jefferson not covered up. Why is he celebrated?

I am glad that there are people more virtuous and studied than I am that know when the line is drawn.
- Just5

We are talking about Kate Smith, if the Flyers would try to put Jefferson all over the place, your argument might hold water.

Hey virtuous, studied Flyer fan, ever hear of a straw man argument?

New blob, statue free is up.

Complete hypocrisy on the part of Comcast, which owns both the Flyers and MSNBC. They are tearing Kate Smith's statute down but allow a blatant anti-Semite, Al Sharpton, appear regularly on MSNBC. Al Sharpton called Jews "diamond merchants," "white interlopers," and stated "if the Jews want to get it on, they can pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house." He incited 2 riots against the Jewish community in New York - one in Crown Heights Brooklyn which resulted in the fatal stabbing of a Jewish Rabbinical student, Yenkel Rosenbaum, and another against a Jewish owned business, Freddie's Fashion Martin, in Harlem which resulted in an arson and the deaths of 7 people. The Crown Heights riots were nothing more than a pogrom. So, Comcast lets Al Sharpton appear on MSNBC regularly despite his history of anti Semitic words and actions but Comcast decides to tear down a statute of Kate Smith. Talk about a complete double standard.
- Bergey

Wow, and I was going to suggest replacing the Kate Smith statue with one of Al Sharpton. Glad I read this post first.