I Did Promise Music and Laughter: I Kind of Lied (BTW: All Lives Matter)

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I Beg Your Pardon…

Creds: Lynn Anderson

I actually gave this some serious thought earlier today.

And truthfully I was inspired by a post I read over yonder at

P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S.

We were talking about optimism.

Well Sharon was but it got me to thinking.

(Scary, yeah.)

Anyhow, I had this post develop in my head. A post about good and bad. A post about optimism and pessimism. A post about Human Decency.

Then I promised me: I Promised me I would not post it because it might sound too preachy, but when we fall away from stating the obvious, because “it has been said too many times before,” well then we forget. And dammit! Some of us need reminding from time to time.

So, here it is:

I have spoken on ‘racism’ before.

Nothing Like a Dame

No Preacher: me.

Just a schmuck.

But I love this movie.

Here are some links, if ya wanna read some scholarly shit:

 

 

 

Race:

Part of the reason why South Pacific is considered a classic is its confrontation of racism. According to professor Philip Beidler, “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s attempt to use the Broadway theater to make a courageous statement against racial bigotry in general and institutional racism in the postwar United States in particular” forms part of South Pacific ‘s legend.

[123] AlthoughTales of the South Pacific treats the question of racism, it does not give it the central place that it takes in the musical.

Andrea Most, writing on the “politics of race” in South Pacific, suggests that in the late 1940s, American liberals, such as Rodgers and Hammerstein, turned to the fight for racial equality as a practical means of advancing their progressive views without risking being deemed communists.[124] Trevor Nunn, director of the 2001 West End production, notes the importance of the fact that Nellie, a southerner, ends the play about to be the mother in an interracial family: “It’s being performed in America in 1949. That’s the resonance.”[125]

–From Wiki.

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Now, did Y’all catch all that above yonder?

You do not need to be (insert current equality apologist talking head here), to understand the message:

“Racism is Bad.”

Of course it is.

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Personally, I just go with my gut:

I don’t need to read scholarly shit to know right from wrong.

I do love this film. This film spoke against racism before any other did.

Always have loved this film, not only for that but for…well: There ain’t nothing like a dame if we are talking Mitzi Gaynor.

And Hey! I was a sailor!

I certainly can relate.

The most pertinent song is “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You%27ve_Got_to_Be_Carefully_Taught

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If you take nothing from this but that well, then that is good.

Cheers Y’all,

Lance, The Sailor

(West Coast Sailor–For those who know–well ya know, that is an important distinction)

Go Navy!

Beat Army!

8 thoughts on “I Did Promise Music and Laughter: I Kind of Lied (BTW: All Lives Matter)”

  4. Hi Annie,
    Thanks for taking a look listen watch.
    I have heard of ‘Donovan’s Reef’, but must confess I have never seen it. Need to add it to my ‘to watch’ list.
    “In love with a wonderful guy” is a great song too.
    “Corny as Kansas in August…”

  5. I sort o’ get on my soapbox regularly.
    As evidenced by my last post.
    Who came up with soap box anyway?
    I’d like to thank ’em
    By the way I’m the spittin’ image of Mitzy Gaynor. 😉

  7. I have to say here that I agree, “You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught” was my favorite and it did ring true. Children are oblivious to these things. And as far as the other…….those adorable bare chested men didn’t need finely pressed whites to impress me. 🙂

  8. Great post, Lance. I have always found the lesson on racism in SOUTH PACIFIC is so well handled in the musical, a person is influenced for the better without even realizing they are getting a message at all. Another good movie (although non-musical) with the same message and similar style: DONOVAN’S REEF with John Wayne.
    And although “You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught” is a great song, I have to admit my favorites from SP are “Nothing Like a Dame” and “Bloody Mary”

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