Woody Guthrie’s daughter Nora attacked “insurrectionist” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) over his ‘This Land Is Our Land Act.’
Hawley’s proposed legislation would “ban Chinese corporations, in addition to any individuals associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), from owning farmland in the United States.”
Sounds good to me. He ought to add the French to the invoice for being French.
Nora Guthrie, who adopted within the footsteps of her well-known father as a folks singer and songwriter, shouldn’t be glad about “insurrectionist” Hawley utilizing the lyrics from her father’s most well-known track:
Nora Guthrie, Woody’s daughter, stated it’s not unusual for politicians to utilize “This Land Is Your Land” as a result of the track advocates for democratic illustration. She stated she didn’t thoughts the track getting used politically, so long as it aligns with the track’s values.
“In this particular case, the co-opting or parodying of the lyric by those not aligned with Woody’s lyrics – i.e. misrepresentation by autocrats, racists, white nationalists, anti-labor, insurrectionists, etc. – is not condoned,” Guthrie wrote in an e-mail. “We do not consider Josh Hawley in any way a representative of Woody’s values therefore we would never endorse or approve of his reference to Woody’s lyrics.”
Cry extra, Commie.
In fact, all of that may be a lie. Hawley is none of these issues. However a case will be made that Woody Guthrie was, a minimum of, a few of these issues.
For starters, Nora misrepresented her father’s track. “It is more of a vision of democracy,” she stated. “The song simply reiterates the concept, ‘By the people, for the people.’”
Yeah, no…
In his day, Guthrie was a communist, socialist, and an enormous fan of mass assassin Josef Stalin. By any truthful measure, these qualities qualify Woody as an insurrectionist. Furthermore, though this particular “This Land Is Your Land” lyric is steadily ignored and downplayed, Guthrie did pen it, and the lyric is itself insurrection-ish, no?
Nicely, as I used to be strolling, I noticed an indication there
And on the signal it stated “No Trespassing”
However on the opposite facet it didn’t say nothing
That facet was made for you and me!
And now we come to my favourite half… Do you know “This Land Is Your Land” promotes and excuses colonialism…?
I’m advised that’s racist.
Hey, that’s not me claiming that. As a substitute, speak to American Indian author Mali Obomsawin:
These lyrics shake me up like a soda can each time I hear them. As an activist, folks musician, and songwriter (in Lula Wiles), and up to date label-mate of Woody Guthrie on Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, my social circles are likely to worship Guthrie as the daddy of all musical protest. However as a Native particular person, I consider “This Land Is Your Land” falls flat.
…
Within the context of America, a nation-state constructed by settler colonialism, Woody Guthrie’s protest anthem exemplifies the actual blind spot that Individuals have in regard to Natives: American patriotism erases us, even when it comes within the type of a leftist protest track. Why? As a result of this land “was” our land. By genocide, damaged treaties, and a authorized system created by and for the colonial curiosity, this land “became” American land.
See, two can play this relentlessly silly sport.
Hawley’s workplace properly refused to play the sport. When requested for remark about this non-story, Hawley’s workplace advised the far-left Kansas Metropolis Star: “The Kansas City Star is where journalism goes to die. Josh’s bill protects America’s food chain, farmers, and national security – that’s the real story The Star should cover.”
Comply with John Nolte on Twitter @NolteNC. Comply with his Fb Web page right here.
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