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Discussion » Questions » Music » Do you think the song "Dixie" is racist and/or offensive?

Do you think the song "Dixie" is racist and/or offensive?

I read that the songwriter did not support slavery and was angered that the confederates used it as a rally cry. Do the origins of such things matter, or is it more about what they've come to be associated with? 

Posted - July 2, 2017

Responses


  • 16202
    The lyrics don't have any racial references at all - with the possible exception of "Injun batter" which may offend Native Americans, but it's a reach.

    A song's origins are unimportant, neither is who appropriates it - look at the song itself. I liked quite a few of Rolf Harris's songs, it was a shock to discover he was a paedophile - but that wasn't the fault of the songs. This post was edited by Slartibartfast at July 3, 2017 6:24 AM MDT
      July 2, 2017 11:24 PM MDT
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  • 10037
    Using this line of logic, should we not associate the swastika with the Nazis and anti-Semitism?
      July 2, 2017 11:33 PM MDT
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  • 16202
    A Hindu swastika is different from a Nazi one. The Nazi swastika is tilted at 45° and omits the four chakra dots.
      July 2, 2017 11:37 PM MDT
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  • 10037
    Many variations, I know. Would you agree that generally speaking, the swastika has become associated with anti-Semitism? I think it has, just as the confederate flag has become synonymous with racism in the US. 


      July 2, 2017 11:45 PM MDT
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  • 46117
    Well, they screwed with the wrong symbol anyway.  They got it right in the FACE.  LOL

    They still tried to pattern it after the Hindu swastika believing it had POWER.  Well, it sure does.  Be careful what you do in the name of God.  God will answer you.
      July 3, 2017 12:45 AM MDT
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  • 7132
    While I don't know much about the song, I think a historical perspective is important for our overall understanding of the world.
      July 2, 2017 11:40 PM MDT
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  • 10037
    I agree. I relayed the inspiration for this question in my response to ALF. Thanks for your reply!
      July 3, 2017 9:19 PM MDT
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  • "I don't think so, not deliberately anyway."
      July 3, 2017 12:00 AM MDT
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  • 10037
    It certainly sounds as if the songwriter was appalled that the south hijacked it. I read that he responded by writing something for the Union army.

    My question stemmed from a recent experience where the driver of a shuttle car seemed to be enjoying a rendition of the song on the radio, but quickly turned it off when he picked up another passenger who was a black woman. I was glad that he seemed to recognize that regardless of it's initial intentions and catchy tune, the song became a symbol of racism in the US. 
      July 3, 2017 9:15 PM MDT
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  • It wouldn't be so bad, if it was the only symbol, but we know that's not true ... don't we.
      July 4, 2017 10:58 AM MDT
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  • 46117
    Well, compared to Swanee River, that is mild.

    Oh, darkie, how my heart grows weary, far from the old folks at hooooome.....

      July 3, 2017 12:43 AM MDT
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  • 10037
    Yikes! I don't think I ever knew that was in there. 


      July 3, 2017 8:06 AM MDT
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  • 46117
    Well, at least they were pining for the darkies and not hating them.

      July 3, 2017 8:22 AM MDT
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  • No, I don't think it's racist in the least. It's actually a very beautiful song.
    Read the lyrics during the song.
      July 3, 2017 6:28 AM MDT
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  • 10037
    Yes, I read that the songwriter was quite unhappy about how the south hijacked his song. He was from Ohio, too, not the south. 

    Do you disagree that despite it's original intent, it's become associated with racism in the US? 

    Thanks for your reply.
      July 3, 2017 9:27 PM MDT
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  • 32539
    No race is not mentioned in the song at all.
      July 3, 2017 8:52 AM MDT
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  • 10037
    Do you disagree that despite it's initial intent, the use of it by the south during the Civil War, and it's continued use by racists has rendered it to be a symbol of racism?
      July 3, 2017 9:33 PM MDT
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  • 32539
    Yes I disagree.
    How was it continued to be used by racists?
    I have heard the song all my life and never associated it with racists.
      July 4, 2017 8:58 AM MDT
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  • 10037
      July 4, 2017 12:15 PM MDT
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  • 22891
    i would hope not
      July 3, 2017 11:35 AM MDT
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  • Nope.   The song was written by a  Yankee and was meant to be the words of a former slave who missed the land he was raised in while making fun of the slave owners that  was the reason he had to leave.
      July 7, 2017 2:05 PM MDT
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