Exactly. If she were still alive and could apologize for her part in that history, I would be fine with keeping the song and the statue. But this is one of those times when an executive decision had to be made. Why should the flyers be responsible for educating people about racism in the u.s. during the 1940’s just so they can play a song that isn’t the national anthem when the national anthem is supposed to be played.

This whole Kate Smith thing is ridiculous. Different era. Should we tear down the Jefferson Memorial? Change the National Anthem because of Francis Scott Key?

This whole Kate Smith thing is ridiculous. Different era. Should we tear down the Jefferson Memorial? Change the National Anthem because of Francis Scott Key?
- bmoreflyer

their hands were kind of tied with the Yankees acting first. If the Flyers sat back and did nothing, people would protest that they're supporting a "racist".

Hopefully AV figures a way to get the Flyers to have better starts to their games, instead of sleepwalking through the 1st period? On ice accountability would help, too. I sure hope he brings in new bench coaches. After last season, the Flyers needed a fresh start and bringing in AV, instead of keeping Gordon is a start. Keeping the same or some of the present bench coaches would be a step backwards before the 2019-2020 season starts.
- Thors-Hammer

I think Vigneault knows exactly what they’re doing. The rumored criticism on how he handled young players is nonsense. The Sedins, Kessler and Borrows came into the league together. They all played behind Naslund and Bertuzzi. I think it’s a time to be excited.

Why are we holding people that are dead to standards that didn't exist back then. When is it going to be too much? Are we going to tear down the Ed Snider statue because he was friends with Ayn Rand?

It would be different if she was alive and still singing the song. My grandfather was racist. He now has a biracial granddaughter and loves her to death. People change as society changes.

It was the 1930s FFS.

If the Flyers do one more stupid decision like Firing Shawney or apologizing because Ed Snider was friends with Ayn Rand I'm done. I will not be a willing participant of an organization that reacts and apologies every time someone overreacts.

I almost want to protest this by standing by the statue and not letting them tear it down.
- youarewrong

This is the greatest thing to ever appear on this site

This whole Kate Smith thing is ridiculous. Different era. Should we tear down the Jefferson Memorial? Change the National Anthem because of Francis Scott Key?
- bmoreflyer

Agreed!

You learn from history. You don’t run from it.

When the rights or opinions of a few become more important than the majority, we are in trouble. This is like a run away train with no brakes. It will never end. When this issue is over, the apologists will find another cause celeb. It’s the same story of the last decade. Create another villan so you can be the hero. Pretty much what is happening, and some people just don’t see it. So what will be the next piece of history, idiots try to erase?

Why are we holding people that are dead to standards that didn't exist back then. When is it going to be too much? Are we going to tear down the Ed Snider statue because he was friends with Ayn Rand?

It would be different if she was alive and still singing the song. My grandfather was racist. He now has a biracial granddaughter and loves her to death. People change as society changes.

It was the 1930s FFS.

If the Flyers do one more stupid decision like Firing Shawney or apologizing because Ed Snider was friends with Ayn Rand I'm done. I will not be a willing participant of an organization that reacts and apologies every time someone overreacts.

I almost want to protest this by standing by the statue and not letting them tear it down.
- youarewrong

Well said!!!

This whole Kate Smith thing is ridiculous. Different era. Should we tear down the Jefferson Memorial? Change the National Anthem because of Francis Scott Key?
- bmoreflyer

Well.........

Why are we holding people that are dead to standards that didn't exist back then. When is it going to be too much? Are we going to tear down the Ed Snider statue because he was friends with Ayn Rand?

It would be different if she was alive and still singing the song. My grandfather was racist. He now has a biracial granddaughter and loves her to death. People change as society changes.

It was the 1930s FFS.

If the Flyers do one more stupid decision like Firing Shawney or apologizing because Ed Snider was friends with Ayn Rand I'm done. I will not be a willing participant of an organization that reacts and apologies every time someone overreacts.

I almost want to protest this by standing by the statue and not letting them tear it down.
- youarewrong

Welcome to America

@Drmidnite

Should we take down all of the statues of George Washington because he owned slaves? Or Abraham Lincoln, who famously wanted to send Black Americans back to Africa.

You can't hold people from the past to the same standards we hold people to today. Times and opinions change.

Well.........
- PhillySportsGuy

These are BUSINESSES that are distancing themselves.

And yes, I am sure there have been petitions many times already for past governmental related people/things.

@Drmidnite

Should we take down all of the statues of George Washington because he owned slaves? Or Abraham Lincoln, who famously wanted to send Black Americans back to Africa.

You can't hold people from the past to the same standards we hold people to today. Times and opinions change.
- bulet13

See my reply and realize the difference.

wasn't the song in question a satire made with a black guy?

alright lets see what we're going to argue about today

If anyone did a lick of research into the song. They’ll realize it was a satirical work for views on racism at the time. But that can not be proven. Tear it down.
- Just5

what song?

wasn't the song in question a satire made with a black guy?
- ClaudeFather

Doesn't make it ok.

Even if you are Jewish, Christian, Muslim, black, white...

You can be complicit in hate.

Last post, you're welcome everyone Dr Midnite is gone forever!

Yayyyyyyyy

Agreed!

You learn from history. You don’t run from it.

When the rights or opinions of a few become more important than the majority, we are in trouble. This is like a run away train with no brakes. It will never end. When this issue is over, the apologists will find another cause celeb. It’s the same story of the last decade. Create another villan so you can be the hero. Pretty much what is happening, and some people just don’t see it. So what will be the next piece of history, idiots try to erase?
- Hokeeguy9

Stalin perfected this with "enemy of the people" designation. People would not only disappear physically, but the would disappear from publications, movies, pictures. Libraries would rid of the books that even referencing the "enemy", newspapers and archives would alter the group pictures to remove that person, the songs written by the "enemy" would be prohibited etc.
It's a perfect tool to divide and conquer, to install fear and distrust.
I would not even imagine the devastation if Stalin had a twitter.

oh this is what people are mad about?

yall are too sensitive
get over the flyers cutting ties and move on

i'd hate to break it to you guys but there is another major racist in this country

Stalin perfected this with "enemy of the people" designation. People would not only disappear physically, but the would disappear from publications, movies, pictures. Libraries would rid of the books that even referencing the "enemy", newspapers and archives would alter the group pictures to remove that person, the songs written by the "enemy" would be prohibited etc.
It's a perfect tool to divide and conquer, to install fear and distrust.
I would not even imagine the devastation if Stalin had a twitter.
- missingmike

BUSINESSES. OK. BUSINESSES.

actual last post forever.

See my reply and realize the difference.
- DrMidnite

No you don't realize the difference. First, you didn't take the context of the song into account. Second, you have no idea if her opinions or not changed. You're just assuming she stayed racist her whole life, if she was in fact ever racist.

I understand why the Flyers did it. They're worried it's bad for business. But the fact that they think it's bad for business means people actually care what a long dead lady may have thought in the 30s has an impact on their ability to support a (frank)ing sports team. Which is absurd

oh this is what people are mad about?

yall are too sensitive
get over the flyers cutting ties and move on
- 2Real

I say we ban the cup winning Flyers teams because they disgracefully intimidated opposing players verbally and by force. I'm offended. Take the banners down.

oh this is what people are mad about?

yall are too sensitive
get over the flyers cutting ties and move on
- 2Real

this may be the most mature thing you ever posted here ever.

I say we ban the cup winning Flyers teams because they disgracefully intimidated opposing players verbally and by force. I'm offended. Take the banners down.
- youarewrong

The NHL should void their championships because they didn't have a minorty on the team. And they listened to Kate Smith. Unnacceptable

i'd hate to break it to you guys but there is another major racist in this country
- 2Real

Claude Giroux!