Flyers Remove Statue of Late Singer Kate Smith
Share
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Flyers removed a statue of late singer Kate Smith outside NHL team’s arena Sunday, two days after covering it amid allegations of racism against the 1930s star with a popular recording of “God Bless America.”
“The NHL principle ‘Hockey is for Everyone’ is at the heart of everything the Flyers stand for. As a result, we cannot stand idle while material from another era gets in the way of who we are today.” — Flyers President Paul Holmgren
“The NHL principle ‘Hockey is for Everyone’ is at the heart of everything the Flyers stand for,” Flyers President Paul Holmgren said in a statement. “As a result, we cannot stand idle while material from another era gets in the way of who we are today.”On Friday, the Flyers said Smith’s “God Bless America” recording had been removed from their library, following baseball’s New York Yankees.
The Yankees suspended use of Smith’s recording during the seventh-inning stretch amid conflicting claims about several of her songs, including a 1939 song “That’s Why the Darkies Were Born.” The tune originated in the 1931 Broadway revue “George White’s Scandals,” and was considered satire at the time. Smith’s likeness also appears in a 1939 ad that heavily uses the mammy caricature, one of the most well-known racist depictions of black women.
Smith’s connection with the Flyers started in 1969 when a team executive ordered her version of “God Bless America” to be played instead of “The Star Spangled Banner.” That led to her performing the song several times before games in the 1970s. A year after her 1986 death, the team erected the statue.
RELATED TOPICS:
Get Off the Phone! Fresno Police Target Distracted Driving
Local /
1 hour ago
Federal Reserve Chief Says Trump Tariffs Likely to Raise Inflation and Slow US Economic Growth
Economy /
1 hour ago
The NBA’s Playoff Chase Enters Its Final Days. Here’s a Look at What’s Happening
Sports /
2 hours ago
USC’s JuJu Watkins Named AP Player of the Year After Historic Sophomore Season
Sports /
2 hours ago
Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman Lands on Injured List Following Fall in His Shower at Home
Sports /
2 hours ago
How Trump’s Latest Tariffs Could Affect Your Wallet
Economy /
2 hours ago
Curry Scores 37 Points and Warriors Beat Lakers in a Potential First-Round Playoff Preview
Sports /
2 hours ago
Latest
Videos

Opinion /
34 minutes ago
Trump Just Bet the Farm

Crime /
40 minutes ago
Staged Crashes and Insurance Fraud: Is Your California Commute a Target?

Local /
1 hour ago
Get Off the Phone! Fresno Police Target Distracted Driving

Economy /
1 hour ago
Federal Reserve Chief Says Trump Tariffs Likely to Raise Inflation and Slow US Economic Growth

Sports /
2 hours ago