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The Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday withdrew a statue of singer Kate Smith, who remained outside their arena for more than three decades. This decision comes two days after the team covered the monument in response to complaints about the "God Bless America" song. in the 1930s.
The Flyers had covered the statue and suspended its famous interpretation of the patriotic song on Friday. The Flyers decision followed a similar decision recently made by the New York Yankees, who were playing for 18 years in the seventh inning. Smith's statue was located near the Philadelphia Sports Complex since 1987.
KATE SMITH'S RELATIVES ARE 'HEURBROKKEN & # 39; AFTER YANKEES, FLYERS ABANDON REGISTRATION 'GOD BLESS AMERICA': REPORT
"The NHL principle," Hockey is for everyone, "is at the heart of everything the Flyers defend," said team president Paul Holmgren in a statement. "As a result, we can not remain inactive while materials from another era prevent us from becoming who we are today."
The statue of singer Kate Smith, partially covered, is seen near the Wells Fargo Center on Friday, April 19, 2019 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo / Matt Slocum)
Smith, who died in 1986 at the age of 79, has long been regarded as an American icon, largely because of her association with "God Bless America," the Irving Berlin song of 1918 that She recorded in 1939. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1982..
Recently, however, the Yankees would have realized that Smith had sung a popular song of 1931, "that's why Darkies were born". This song, originally written for a Broadway review and later rehearsed in a Marx Brothers film, featured lyrics such as: to pick cotton, someone had to pick corn, somebody who had to pick some corn. one had to be slave and able to sing, that is why the darkies were born. Ray Henderson and Lew Brown wrote the song. Smith did not contribute words or music.
The song was considered a satire of racism at the time, with civil rights activist Paul Robeson also recording a version.
Critics also note that Smith recorded a song called "Pickaninny Heaven" – "pickaninny" being a racial insult to a black child – and point to Smith's portrayal in a baking powder ad featuring a "mammal" character.
The Flyers played the Smith version of "God Bless America" before the games must win since 1969, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. His record in these games was of a stellar 101-31-5. She did her restitution in person before the team won the Stanley Cup in 1974.
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The Yankees fired "God Bless America" earlier in the season after being informed of the dubious Broadway song, the New York Post reported.
Louis Casiano of Fox News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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