Wise words, Gibb.

I hate for us to get too squeamish about language and songs that are now considered to be racist. I think these need to be sung pretty much as written in the context of historical presentations, because people need to know the reality of the culture of our forebears.

A while back, I was discussing prejudice against Chinese railroad workers on the Transcontinental Railroad, and I read the lyrics of a couple "John Chinaman" songs to illustrate. One member of the group complained and said that he was highly offended by my reading the lyrics. I'm sorry, but I don't know how to illustrate the reality of history without quoting the actual words that were said.

When singing for entertainment, I don't think there's a place for racism in songs - but it's a different matter if the songs are meant to educate. I refuse to euphemize. Either I use the terms as stated, or I don't use them at all. And I won't use "negro dialect" because that doesn't work at all.

-Joe-