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history lesson

by Kenny H June. 19, 2014 4896 views

Disclaimer: Intentional racial overtones are used as an intentional history lesson on my post. If you are easily offended - read no further….
For most of us here in the states we hear the song before we see the truck, and we immediately start digging through our pockets and taking orders while runnin down the street on a hot summer day.
Little did we know that the actual melody playing was a little Dixie tune called "Turkey in the Straw“. Unbeknownst to us (me anyway) it also spawned a racist tune back in March 1916 called ” Nigger Love a Watermelon" released by Columbia Records and written by an actor named Harry C. Browne.
I didn't believe it either until I went to YouTube and typed in BOTH tunes “Turkey in the Straw” as well as “Nigger Love a Watermelon, Ha Ha Ha”…..
Couldn't believe what I heard. You wont either.

For the record- I like watermelon AND ice cream. Its too damn hot to boycott right now.

Rittenhouse Square 2:45PM.
Mister Softee Ice Cream truck…

watermelon the racist photography ice
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There are 11 comments , add yours!
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Andrea 6 years, 7 months ago

Great post,both the photos and the comments.

6 years, 7 months ago Edited
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Moira 6 years, 7 months ago

Rather like myself as a child I saved Robertson's jam / marmalade points to get a free "golly " badge . It wasn't till many years later that I realised what a golly was abbreviated for. I wondered why they started changing the "golly" badges into fruit shaped badges at a later date.

6 years, 7 months ago Edited
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Dan Ravasio 6 years, 7 months ago

awesome post ken... great history lesson and shot too... i like watermelon and icecream also.... what a coincidence.... mr. softees face freaks me out....

6 years, 7 months ago Edited
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Teo Montana 6 years, 7 months ago

Wow,thanks for this interesting,but sad bit of information...I love icecream and watermelon too! Think of the possibility of combining the too,so there is something to be said about good taste! :)) I have not looked up the songs on youtube,partly out of fear of the internet police!,but shame on YouTube for having this bullshit in their archives! Great post my friend! :)

6 years, 7 months ago Edited
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John Sidaway 6 years, 7 months ago

Astonishing! thanks for a great post Ken.

6 years, 7 months ago Edited
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Shane Thomas 6 years, 7 months ago

Very enjoyable

6 years, 7 months ago Edited
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Antonio Gil 6 years, 7 months ago

The idea of using both colours and B&W here it's very interesting, taking into account the history lesson. Thanks for sharing my friend.

6 years, 7 months ago Edited
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Evalizette Hansson Nordstrã¶M 6 years, 7 months ago

Well humans can be sad creatures. Never heard the watermelon song but will take a trip to Youtube.

And I love watermelons to :)
Want to share one?

6 years, 7 months ago Edited
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Collateral Anguish 6 years, 7 months ago

While it's not hard to imagine someone wrote such a song but to think it was actually released by Columbia is mind blowing. Imagine what the record execs at the time would think if they knew how much money the company would make from the talents of black artists... The first I ever heard of record companies releasing blatantly racist tunes was while reading an article about the book/film 12 Years A Slave. It's a great history lesson. In exchange, here's something your post reminded me of. I hope it will make you smile http://youtu.be/fIDR106lsK4

6 years, 7 months ago Edited
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Marilyn Grimble 6 years, 7 months ago

Interesting - I learn something everyday on P.B.

6 years, 7 months ago Edited
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Louise Hayes 6 years, 7 months ago

An interesting post Ken, I have listen to the tune, do they play the words or just the tune? It is a good day when I learn something new, so thank you. So great post my friend!

6 years, 7 months ago Edited
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