Sorry, Banj. If people don't know the history of slavery and how we can never go back to that time by now, I don't think a song is going to help. Singing a song about pickinnnies to MY grandsons is not going to teach them anything except make them feel badly about being half-Antiguan in colour!

There are so many good songs. If we really want to bring about tolerance for diversity, I believe we should be learning and sharing the songs of all cultures, esp. indigenous ones. Spend an hour listening to what Navive Americans have been writing for songs these days here

surf the net for other cultures' music sites; learn some of their songs of the here and now.

I grew up on Stephen Foster's songs; they seemed appropriate at the time; then I grew to know better; to be uncomfrotable and understand the hurtfulness they might cause. I think you guys are purists and I understand that. I do not think it serves any purpose outside of narrow studies, though, to continue presenting these songs when there are so many other good ones. There are too many people who might either be offended and hurt by them or who might take them as a continuation for the glorification of the hatred they may feel for any minority; with that kind of "perceived" justification, the racists can continue on with their rhethoric and agendas of hate. Let;s not give it to them. Let's give them examples of something more positive to emulate.

If someone sings these when I am in an audience, I would not stay around.

katlaughing