Thursday, November 22, 2012

Raining on the Parade



I don't want to rain on the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.

I watched the show on TV, mostly to see the exuberant list of performers and parade floats. And, even in this time of a changed America, why not give thanks for what there is, and take those good things and build on them for a new America.

But, here is my rain shower:

- The moronic Matt Lauer from NBC, who hosts the show, introduced a lovely Gershwin tune "S'Wonderful" (It's Wonderful) and pronounced it "Es Wonderful" as in the letter "S." What could "S Wonderful" possibly mean? Has he never heard the song? Quite likely he hasn't in this culturally degraded America.

- George and Ira Gershwin's song "Lady be Good" from their musical "Nice Work if You Can Get it" was performed by a "mixed" cast of whites and blacks. This was highly unlikely to have happened in 1924, when the musical was set. It might not have been as irritating if the cast wasn't wearing 1924 clothing. If they are going to "mix it up" why not at least give the performers contemporary clothing?

- Why are Mexicans in an American Thanksgiving parade? Perhaps, with a bit of a stretch, Mexican-Americans might have had a place, but the group in the parade came from Veracruz, Mexico, and was in full native costume.

- Why is a "Native American" group in the parade? And with a song by Native American artist Thirza Defoe singing "The Tree of Life."

Still, despite this multi-culti focus, the majority of the crowed was white. So were are all the others not present at the parade (blacks, Hispanics, Asians) at home giving thanks? I doubt it.