Unless you have been hanging out in a monastery for the past month, you have probably heard about the ongoing controversy surrounding one of the 20th century’s popular performers, Kate Smith.

Smith, who died in 1986 but whose legacy has endured thanks to her recording of Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America,” has now joined the growing number of once-revered icons who have been consigned to history’s junk pile for something they once said or did.

Smith was recognized as a national treasure, first when President Ronald Reagan in 1982 presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor our country bestows, and again in 2010 when a postage stamp was issued in her honor.

In Smith’s case, it was found that she had recorded two songs in the 1930s which are regarded as racist — “That’s Why Darkies Were Born” and “Pickaninny Heaven.”

This led to a decision by both the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Yankees to stop playing her rendition of “God Bless America.” The Flyers also removed the statue erected in her honor in 1987, the year after she had died at age 79.

These actions have been fiercely debated, not only by the fans of these two teams but also by an enraged public that views these decisions as political correctness overkill.

An unofficial survey of websites and other published opinions shows that an overwhelming majority of the public believes that it was a mistake to take such drastic steps. I agree. This situation does not fit the generally conceived notion of racism.

I have done some intense research on the subject of racism in the arts, and while I have found blatant examples, I also have found superstars who routinely dressed in blackface or sang songs which were acceptable then but no longer.

The legendary black singer and human rights activist Paul Robeson recorded “That’s Why Darkies Were Born,” and the history of the song shows that it was a satire of its time and not to be taken literally. The song reached #12 on the pop recording charts in 1931.

That said, I want to make it perfectly clear that this song is not appropriate today, except perhaps for research and discussion purposes and for understanding the background and context of the “Kate Smith saga.”

In what has to be supreme irony, Frank Sinatra once sang the famous standard “Without a Song” (1941), using the original lyrics “… a darkie’s born, but he’s no good no how, without a song.”

Sinatra’s recording of “New York, New York” is played after every Yankees victory at the stadium. Should Sinatra be banned, too?

One of music’s all-time great crooners, Bing Crosby, dressed in blackface for at least one of his movies “Holiday Inn” (1942). Should all of the great songs and movies that he starred in be scrubbed from history, as well?

Well, I am here to tell you that some sanity has returned to the Kate Smith conversation. In addition to millions of comments in support of Smith, urging the Flyers and the Yankees to reconsider their kneejerk decisions, one of the most popular resort destinations for residents of our five-county Times News area — Wildwood, New Jersey — has taken decisive action.

Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. assured visitors to his seaside mecca that they will hear Smith’s recording of “God Bless America” each morning on the Boardwalk when they vacation there this year.

Speaking on a Philadelphia radio show, Troiano said, “It’s not a statement that we don’t understand what’s going on, and that we’re ignorant of history. The world has gotten so politically correct and so afraid that they’re going to offend somebody. Well, you know what? The song is greater than anything, so it will continue to play in Wildwood. We don’t want to rewrite history. We don’t want to bury history. We want to learn from history.”

Troiano did some research of his own and found that Smith had traveled 520,000 miles entertaining U.S. troops during World War II, raised $600 million for war bonds ($19 billion in today’s dollars) and hosted “The Kate Smith Hour” on CBS-TV that gave young black artists opportunities to showcase their talents.

Congratulations and atta-boys have been pouring into Troiano’s office ever since he made the declaration late last month.

Up the coast in Toms River, Mayor Thomas Kelaher spoke in support of Smith and her legacy during a recent council meeting. He called the controversy “taking political correctness to the nth degree. When is it ever going to stop in this country?” he asked.

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com