Seventy-two years ago today (Oct. 25, 1938) Francis Beckman, the Archbishop of Dubuque (Iowa) made headlines when he addressed the National Council of Catholic Women alerting the panel and audience of a pressing scourge upon society: swing music.

(It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that roundhouse kick to your lady's face)

Archbishop Beckman pleaded to the stately sensibilities of his flock to stamp out this profane craze. The Archbishop explained, "(swing is) a degenerated musical system ... turned loose to gnaw away the moral fiber of young people ... (swing is a) primrose path to Hell."

Swing music's origins are mostly cited in the 20's as an offshoot of jazz. The sweaty and sultry swing scene was mainstream by the late 30's, but faded off in the 50's only to later find a resurgence in the 90's.

Although, some cite swing as a repackaging of other music scenes for white folks as Louis Armstrong explained on the Bing Crosby show,

"Ah, swing, well, we used to call it ragtime, then blues-then jazz. Now, it's swing. White folks yo'all sho is a mess. Swing!"

Later, the Archbishop shifted his attention to perpetuating a pacifist stance against the war until the Japanese attaked Pearl Harbor. He was also investigated by the FBI for shady investment schemes in California which marred his clout in the moral majority until his death in 1948.

(Francis Beckman)

It's easy to look upon Beckman as a bit of an extremist and almost comical, but did it cross your mind that he might have been on to something? If you take swing out of this context, which many of us find as an innocent and rather reserved form of expression of yestteryear, and put into context that the during his lifetime the identity and morals of America was shifting something fierce.

(Society in decline)

If Beckman was here today, I imagine there isn't enough fire and brimstone speeches he could deliver to protest that which he found godless and depraved. But if you squint your eyes and look at what's happened since the days of jazz and swing -though the rock & roll and disco years and to today's booty clap dancing and pistol popping gansta rap of recent- you can see a path we've taken as not too far from what Beckman may have envisioned.

(Women exploited for rap videos)

Look at where we've gone with our music and the signs that have marked the major changes. While most can agree swing music is and was a great outlet for young and old pepople alike, I sense that there is a smidge of legitimacy in Beckman's warnings.

Society doesn't always align with our morals and expectations. Things which seems innocent can lead to darker paths. Pulling from popular culture isn't always the best mast to propel yourself though the sea of life.