The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #107270   Message #4082282
Posted By: GUEST,B
07-Dec-20 - 03:21 PM
Thread Name: Song Req: 'There was China Man...'
Subject: RE: Song Req: 'There was China Man...'
I have seen many people saying that this song is racist. I think I agree, but I don't think I know exactly why. What specifically is the song making fun of?
As I understand it it is a song about a specific Chinese man who due to an unfortunate luck of the draw was unable to walk.
Then there is a bunch of nonsense rhyming words.
Then another verse, often where the man dies.
And then more nonsense.

It seems to me like the song is a story of a specific Chinese man who experienced a series of unfortunate events.
Once again my gut tells me the song is racist, and I am uncomfortable singing it. I just don't know what specifically makes it racist. I think I don't understand racism.