[78-L] Race--was: Obama quotes Dorothy Fields (not OT, the song was on 78)

[Steven C. Barr]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gregg Kimball" <gdkimball at cox.net>
>I don't think everything yesterday was about "race race race."  But it 
>would
> be pretty strange if at least some commentary didn't reflect on that 
> issue,
> since it's been a dominant theme in our history for, oh, about 400 years.
> Seems to me this is a turning point in that narrative, which I agree is a
> good thing, but it doesn't erase our history.  I'm surprised, though, that
> no one commented on the parallel with Mr. Lowrey's prayer at the end with
> Broonzy's "Black, Brown, and White."
>
> Everything today sounded like it was about race race race - if
>> we're so unconcerned about 'Color", why keep dwelling on it??  When it's
>> no
>> big deal and not worth mentioning, THEN something will have been
>> accomplished.
>
> It's a little bit ironic that the rest of your post hinges on . . . race.
> You take pains to say that Jolson wasn't a racist, etc., which, I suppose,
> is meant to contrast his views with the tenor of the times--which was 
> deeply
> racist.  I doubt that Barack Obama is very concerned about "The Jazz 
> Singer"
> or being "PC," whatever that term actually means.  I do hope that he
> immeadiately repeals a bunch of Bush's executive orders, especially the 
> one
> that keeps Americans from finding out what it's government is doing by
> circumventing the presidential records act.  As a historian and citizen, a
> care more about that than whether I can see the "Jazz Singer" on TBS.
>
> On the poet--yes, it was not read to good effect, and unfortunately poets
> don't seem to do readings well anymore.  It's probably not a great venue 
> for
> poets--Robert Frost had some issues at Kennedy's inauguration if I recall,
> although he did fine once he decided to just recite a poem from memory.
>
The sad and harsh reality is the simple fact that in the US Of A, A LOT
(not necessarily "everything"...but very close to it...?!) hinges on the 
"race"
of individuals...! Up here in Canada, this isn't as blatant or obvious...but
it STILL exists...! Oddly enough, this is a substantial improvement
over Africa...where 99.9% of the population is Black...but one's TRIBE
can be a life & death matter (literally!!)?!

I am VERY fortunate in having had NON-racist parents (unusual, since
I was born in 1942...!). When I was a children, the "N-word" was, if
anything, WORSE than George Carlin's "Seven words...!" And this was
in spite of my father having spent 1935 to 1954 in Chicago, where I
lived and grew up until mid-1954...!

I can't admit to being SO non-racist that I don't notice the race of the
folks I see and meet...but at least I am so non-racist that it is NOT an
issue for me! In fact, as a would-be "bluesman" (artist & songwriter),
I basically HAVE to avoid racist actions...in fact, one of my favourite
memories is having been invited onstage by Billy Branch (noted Black
harmonicist & bluesman) at Artis' Tap...a blues joint on E. 95th Street
in Chicago with a 99.9% Black clientele...and being complimented
on my blues skills by folks in the audience!

Comment ca va...?!

...stevenc