| re: what a reductive and inaccurate sentence... |
| Last Edit: BroadwayTonyJ 01:56 am EDT 08/18/21 |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 01:52 am EDT 08/18/21 |
| In reply to: re: what a reductive and inaccurate sentence... - Singapore/Fling 12:24 am EDT 08/18/21 |
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I agree that "ragtime" and "jungle" are coded dog whistles, but in '57 Willson was probably referring to white trash teenagers who hung around race tracks and pool halls. There were probably poorer sections of River City that were populated by wild kids like Tommy Djilas. I don't believe any serious journalist back in '57 interpreted those words as being a reference to African Americans.
However, I imagine that hearing those words today with racial sensitivity at an all-time high (and justifiably so), some people will suggest they are referring to black teenagers. |
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