firstisthatsomenewformofracismhastakenoverthepolitical roleplayedinpre–civilrightsdaysbythe“old-fashioned,” “redneck,”or“JimCrow”racismthatincorporatedsocialdis- tancebetweentheraces,beliefsinthebiologicalinferiorityof Blacks,andsupportforformaldiscriminationandsegregation. ...
One of the biggest mysteries of the song is what is meant bycotton-eyed. As per the Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang, the term describes “prominent whites of the eyes.” Others believe old Joe was wasted on moonshine, blind from drinking wood alcohol, or suffering from ...