I think I likely would singit because I'm just contrary, and I DON'T see the song as 'Stepin Fetchit', any more than any kids' game. They are perky and frivolous.

My honest take on this whole thing is that the people doing the complaining think the song is dumb, and that's why they object to it being associated with African Americans. Saying it has anything to do with racism is a very long stretch. Well, other than saying it's an attempt to make African Americans look dumb because the song was created and popularized by African Americans. Suck it up. European Americans have a lot more to answer for musically, and African Americans don't get to have only good songs. The song-as-racist is a difficult search to justify why people don't like the song. It's not racist, it's just a dumb song (IMO).

I can understand why it was pulled from the show. People have to pick their battles and they just decided not to make their children pawns in this one. Bystanders such as we don't get to decide what they want to put their kids through.

Black Americans don't get to make songs they don't like disappear, they don't get to make Stepin Fetchit disappear or any other person or thing they see as negative. White Americans don't get to make misntrel songs disappear, or the KKK or George Wallace or lynchings or guys with pickup trucks and long ropes. We don't get to clean up history. Speaking as a white American, if I ever try to claim racism never existed, find one of those 'coon' songs, get right up in my face and sing it LOUD. Tell me about Stepin Fetchit who was loved and respected despite the demeanor and attitude he affected. Talk to me about Leadbelly, who had an awful lot of negatives going for him, but for some reason is remembered mainly for what he did right. Leadbelly-- who sang and may have composed this song, and who also had to choose his battles.

I DO think that being aware of potential hurts is good, but it's best if people on both sides of an issue try to understand one another. One side simply demanding only to be appeased is, in the long run, going to stand in the way of understanding.

Heard a good line on the news last night:
"So are _____ going on the offensive?"
"No, they're just going on the obnoxious."

Asking someone to send the school was a great intention. Get the school a sampling of the 'real deal'.