March 22, 2006
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Horrible Distortions Introduced into the Oral Traditions
The Brits have gone bonkers over political correctness, and in their
madness they have created a racial issue where none existed before.
In
English nursery schools, “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” has been altered,
changed to “Baa, Baa, Rainbow Sheep,” which makes no sense at
all. Did you ever see a rainbow sheep? I haven’t, but I did
once take over and bottle-feed a black lamb whose mother died.The nursery rhyme dates back to the mid-1700s and is related to a tax
imposed on wool by the king, which divided receipts equally between the
local lord (the master), the church (the dame), and the farmer (the
little boy). Black wool was apparently taxed at a lower rate than white
wool. (The Hamilton Spectator)
There was a valid reason for taxing black wool at a lower rate.
It also sold at a lower rate in the marketplace because white wool was
easier to dye in bright colors. I don’t think the sheep
discriminated, but the dyers, weavers and fullers did.“Nursery” rhymes or teaching rhymes or chants were meant to relate
information. Our oral tradition is history, and that PC crap is revisionist
history. Wouldn’t it be better just to teach the kids what the
rhymes mean instead of having them learn them by rote and never know
that there is a meaning? It’s far better than distorting the meaning and turning an issue of taxation into one of racism, I say.
Comments (14)
You’re dead on I think. Teach them the why, it adds so much depth to things. Once I understood the history regarding “Ring Around the Rosy” I had to a new perspective on what had been a simple child’s game to me for so long. It was fascinating!
*growls*
I got their “politically correct” hangin’…
*shakes his fist angrily in the general direction of England*
–End of Line–
100% with you on this one.
I teach nursery rhymes in my poetry unit and you’ve given me food for thought.
this is indicative of the fact that people can recognize a pattern of symptoms, but don’t really understand the sickness. that’s why every once in awhile we have something nonsensical like this happen.
Politically correct writing is, in theory, a wonderful idea. Unfortunately, only the government could feasably find racial fault with a nusery rhyme. (leave it to the government to take a good reform and twist it until it is un-recognizable)
When my kids were growing up I didn’t think much about nursery rhymns and why we read them to our kids or why they learned them and never knew what they meant until I took a class in nursery rhymns. Now I completely agree with you. But I did one thing that was right by my kids I wrote special stories for them with them in them. They loved them. Judi
One of my “favorites” is “Jury Rigged”. Which should be “Gerry Rigged”, Gerry being a derogatory slang expression for German. The expression probably came from WWI or WWII.
My kids’ elementary school changed “One little, two little, three little Indians…” into “One little, two little, three little Native Americans …” The result is awkward to sing and rendered me the dumb one who doesn’t know the song.
I must be the only person left with a little of the Cherokee heritage who doesn’t mind what I’m called, as long as it’s not late for supper.
Wow, what great history entry. Thanks for sharing this entry. Happy Thursday! =)
Thanks for the comment and subscribing.
That is strange for a nursery rhyme. It is funny the way somethings become politically correct.
Have a great day!
I thought of you when I wrote the little history piece. I went to sleep thinking of how to index my site without going premium. I need to update my profile so others can get in touch, probably tomorrow. Thanks for commenting. I don’t take kindly when hubby says, “Not bad for a white girl.” HaHaHa.
RYC:
Yes, it’s spring.. except when it’s cold and rainy.. like today