NHL team the Philadelphia Flyers have officially removed a statue of singer Kate Smith outside their stadium, after the teams management said they learnt that some of her songs contained “racist lyrics and sentiments.”
In addition to the statues relocation, the NHL team also banned the use of Smith's rendition of "God Bless America" during home games as part of measures it said were aimed at tackling racism.
READ MORE: God Bless America singer banned over racist 1930s songs
The monument, which was installed in 1987 to honor the singing star who soared to fame in the 1930s and 40s, was covered with black cloth last week before being removed outside the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday.
The two songs in question are Pickaninny Heaven (from a 1933 film) and Thats Why Darkies Were Born (1931).
The latter song from the 1931 Broadway revue "George White's Scandals" was considered satire at that time, but includes language deemed inappropriate in modern society.
"The Flyers have enjoyed a long and popular relationship with 'God Bless America,' as performed by the late Kate Smith, a woman who was awardeRead More – Source
NHL team the Philadelphia Flyers have officially removed a statue of singer Kate Smith outside their stadium, after the teams management said they learnt that some of her songs contained “racist lyrics and sentiments.”
In addition to the statues relocation, the NHL team also banned the use of Smith's rendition of "God Bless America" during home games as part of measures it said were aimed at tackling racism.
READ MORE: God Bless America singer banned over racist 1930s songs
The monument, which was installed in 1987 to honor the singing star who soared to fame in the 1930s and 40s, was covered with black cloth last week before being removed outside the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday.
The two songs in question are Pickaninny Heaven (from a 1933 film) and Thats Why Darkies Were Born (1931).
The latter song from the 1931 Broadway revue "George White's Scandals" was considered satire at that time, but includes language deemed inappropriate in modern society.
"The Flyers have enjoyed a long and popular relationship with 'God Bless America,' as performed by the late Kate Smith, a woman who was awardeRead More – Source
