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The Philadelphia Flyers have officially removed the statue of Kate Smith from its location outside their arena and will no longer play the representation of Smith "God Bless America" in games, announced the team in a statement released Sunday.
This follows the decision of the New York Yankees to suspend the use of Smith's "God Bless America" during the seventh round while they were investigating an allegation of racism against the deceased singer.
The New York Daily News reported on Thursday that there were conflicting assertions about Smith's 1939 song, "That's Why Darkies Was Born." The song originated in Broadway's 1931 Broadcaster "The Scandals of George White" and was considered a satire, but it includes racist language. This was recorded by Smith and also by Paul Robeson, who was black.
The Flyers issued Sunday the following statement:
"The Flyers have long had a popular relationship with" God Bless America, "as interpreted by the late Kate Smith, a woman to whom the Presidential Medal of Honor was awarded for her patriotic contributions to our country. .
"But in recent days we have learned that many of the songs that Kate Smith performed in the 1930s included words and feelings that were inconsistent with the values of our organization and evoked painful and unacceptable themes."
Team president Paul Holmgren, quoted by the Flyers, said, "The NHL principle," Hockey is for everyone, "is at the heart of everything the Flyers defend. can not remain inactive while documents from another we are today. "
The Flyers felt that Smith's rendition of "God Bless America" was a good chance after his live performance before the sixth game of the 1974 Stanley Cup final. Philadelphia beat Boston in that match to win his first consecutive cup.
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