Texas athletes petitioning University to replace "The Eyes of Texas" and to no longer require athletes to sing it

[David Dennison 19441]

48 minutes ago, StruggleBus said:

Like the Washington Football Team story with their former name and logo, this will be a recurring issue until the song is shelved by the university.

[Randolph Duke 4034]

The people who find EOT racist because of its "minstrel roots" would be blown away to learn that to this very day there is a Minstrel Carnival in Cape Town where Blacks wear white face and dress in striped jackets.

I guess its time we send enlightened Americans over to South Africa to tell Blacks to quit venerating their white privilege and stop acting like racists.

This year's Minstrel Carnival will be in June. Plenty of time to book plane tickets.

Blacks can dress in white face and celebrate minstrel traditions. Insisting they stop would be racist. Meanwhile, whites can't sing EOT because its minstrel roots makes it blatantly racist. Welcome to 2021.

Quote

The Cape Town Street Parade, commonly known as the Cape Minstrel Carnival or “Tweede Nuwe Jaar” procession has been postponed to mid-June next year.

The annual klopse parade usually sees thousands of minstrels from all areas across Cape Town performing in the streets of the city centre.

The event traditionally takes place a day or two after New Year's Day, bringing the streets to life with colourful costumes, glitter, and spirited Ghoema music.

But the festivities cannot take place in January 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

https://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/403397/cape-town-s-klopse-parade-moved-to-june-2021

 

[David Dennison 19441]

5 minutes ago, Randolph Duke said:

The people who find EOT racist because of its "minstrel roots" would be blown away to learn that to this very day there is a Minstrel Carnival in Cape Town where Blacks wear white face and dress in striped jackets.Not

I guess its time we send enlightened Americans over to South Africa to tell Blacks to quit venerating their white privilege and stop acting like racists.

This year's Minstrel Carnival will be in June. Plenty of time to book plane tickets.

Blacks can dress in white face and celebrate minstrel traditions. Insisting they stop would be racist. Meanwhile, whites can't sing EOT because its minstrel roots makes it blatantly racist. Welcome to 2021.

 

Not just its minstrel show roots, but also its ties to the Confederacy.

[Doc Reeves 6434]

2 hours ago, RollLeft said:

Exactly.  People chime in without knowing what has already been discussed and agreed upon by most of the student leadership and admin.  Tis life.

‘Twas a joke

[David Dennison 19441]

1 hour ago, ChickenSandwich said:

Victim hood is social currency today. Not easy to create when you are one of the most privileged students on a campus of 50,000. 

Says a white guy in America.

[tonedeaf 56]

Been reading a lot of Thomas sowell, Walter williams, and Larry elder.  Eye opening.  Lots of facts.  For those easily offended, it's not for you.  🤘

[Lidig8r 1904]

First the Eyes of Texas.

What next, Dr. Seuss?

... Oh wait.

[David Dennison 19441]

3 minutes ago, tonedeaf said:

Been reading a lot of Thomas sowell, Walter williams, and Larry elder.  Eye opening.  Lots of facts.  For those easily offended, it's not for you.  🤘

User name checks out.

[Chuckie Finster 22978]

18 minutes ago, Randolph Duke said:

The people who find EOT racist because of its "minstrel roots" would be blown away to learn that to this very day there is a Minstrel Carnival in Cape Town where Blacks wear white face and dress in striped jackets.

I guess its time we send enlightened Americans over to South Africa to tell Blacks to quit venerating their white privilege and stop acting like racists.

This year's Minstrel Carnival will be in June. Plenty of time to book plane tickets.

Blacks can dress in white face and celebrate minstrel traditions. Insisting they stop would be racist. Meanwhile, whites can't sing EOT because its minstrel roots makes it blatantly racist. Welcome to 2021.

 

"I should be able to sing the Eyes of Texas because some black people in South Africa wear white face" is a first ballot, Randolph Duke Hall of Fame post.

Edited March 2, 2021 by Chuckie Finster

[Randolph Duke 4034]

7 minutes ago, David Dennison said:

Not just its minstrel show roots, but also its ties to the Confederacy.

It's "ties to the confederacy" are because Robert E. Lee allegedly once said "the eyes of the south are upon you."

Do you really believe that makes it "tied to the confederacy?" If so, we need to remove more than EOT from our nation's history.

https://buckleyschool.com/magazine/articles/the-eyes-of-the-world-are-upon-you-eisenhowers-d-day-speech/

[BurntOrange&White 41650]

8 minutes ago, Lidig8r said:

First the Eyes of Texas.

What next, Dr. Seuss?

... Oh wait.

 

  

[tonedeaf 56]

Just now, David Dennison said:

User name checks out.

Let me guess.  They're racist.  Sounds like you need a safe space. 😉

[David Dennison 19441]

4 minutes ago, Randolph Duke said:

It's "ties to the confederacy" are because Robert E. Lee allegedly once said "the eyes of the south are upon you."

Do you really believe that makes it "tied to the confederacy?" If so, we need to remove more than EOT from our nation's history.

https://buckleyschool.com/magazine/articles/the-eyes-of-the-world-are-upon-you-eisenhowers-d-day-speech/

No one is asking the Eyes of Texas to be removed from history. 

[Randolph Duke 4034]

20 minutes ago, Chuckie Finster said:

"I should be able to sing the Eyes of Texas because some black people in South Africa wear white face" is a first ballot, Randolph Duke Hall of Fame post.

How about "racism anywhere, in any form, must be challenged."

If minstrel roots are the definition of blatant racism, shouldn't we be sending enlightened Americans to Cape Town to tell them to end their racist ways? Or are you one of those who willingly ignores racism out of personal convenience.

Chuckie Finster insisting that racism be ignored because he finds doing so more aligned with his "true beliefs."

(See how easy it is to ignore someone's message and instead fly off on some meaningless tangent?)

The subject is much more complex than minstrel=blatant racism. Start trying to look at the subject less superficially.

Slavery today is extremely prevalent around the world. Most people, black or white, don't care about slavery. If they did, they would try to make the world a better place and so something about the problem.

Minstrel culture is accepted as a part of life in South Africa today because of its cultural context. Cultural context. Blacks in South Africa wearing white face can sing EOT, because minstrel celebrations are accepted there, but whites singing EOT in Texas is racist. Think about that.

Yes, you can have minstrel celebrations that are not racist. Depending on the cultural context. Think about that.

Now, help me understand the cultural context of how EOT was developed.

And please site sources. I'll hang up and take my answer off line.

Edited March 2, 2021 by Randolph Duke

[GreenspointTexas 9933]

The longer we keep the song and the longer we bicker about it, the worse we look. 
 

Get rid of the fucking song already (should have been done last year) and start a new tradition or school song. When we are all long and gone, this story will only be a footnote to the football national championships we will win because we dropped the song, anyway

 

Like others have said, there is no fucking way we keep the song in its current form. The sooner yall realize this, the sooner yall can accept it and move forward. 

[D3zii 3911]

Just now, GreenspointTexas said:

The longer we keep the song and the longer we bicker about it, the worse we look. 
 

Get rid of the fucking song already (should have been done last year) and start a new tradition or school song. When we are all long and gone, this story will only be a footnote to the football national championships we will win because we dropped the song, anyway

 

Like others have said, there is no fucking way we keep the song in its current form. The sooner yall realize this, the sooner yall can accept it and move forward. 

It’s really that easy...At the end of the day all you want is something where everyone in the end can come together and not have any uneasy feelings...It’s really not that hard, it’s just sometimes you have ones who don’t wanna change no matter who is offended 

[BurntOrange&White 41650]

4 minutes ago, GreenspointTexas said:

The longer we keep the song and the longer we bicker about it, the worse we look. 
 

Get rid of the fucking song already (should have been done last year) and start a new tradition or school song. When we are all long and gone, this story will only be a footnote to the football national championships we will win because we dropped the song, anyway

 

Like others have said, there is no fucking way we keep the song in its current form. The sooner yall realize this, the sooner yall can accept it and move forward. 

vocal minority vs vocal minority who will win out for the majority!

[tonedeaf 56]

1 minute ago, GreenspointTexas said:

The longer we keep the song and the longer we bicker about it, the worse we look. 
 

Get rid of the fucking song already (should have been done last year) and start a new tradition or school song. When we are all long and gone, this story will only be a footnote to the football national championships we will win because we dropped the song, anyway

 

Like others have said, there is no fucking way we keep the song in its current form. The sooner yall realize this, the sooner yall can accept it and move forward. 

No.  I can't speak for everyone, but in the 50 plus years I have been singing the eyes, my thoughts were we are the greatest university in the greatest state.   

[USMCHorn 1369]

24 minutes ago, tonedeaf said:

Been reading a lot of Thomas sowell, Walter williams, and Larry elder.  Eye opening.  Lots of facts.  For those easily offended, it's not for you.  🤘

“I read books by black guys who agree with me. Obviously, I'm not racist.”

Ok, now go read books by people who don't agree with you. But if you're easily offended, it's not for you.

[Foosters 18225]

15 minutes ago, Randolph Duke said:

How about "racism anywhere, in any form, must be challenged."

If minstrel roots are the definition of blatant racism, shouldn't we be sending enlightened Americans to Cape Town to tell them to end their racist ways? Or are you one of those who willingly ignores racism out of personal convenience.

Chuckie Finster insisting that racism be ignored because he finds doing so more aligned with his "true beliefs."

(See how easy it is to ignore someone's message and instead fly off on some meaningless tangent?)

The subject is much more complex than minstrel=blatant racism. Start trying to look at the subject less superficially.

Slavery today is extremely prevalent around the world. Most people, black or white, don't care about slavery. If they did, they would try to make the world a better place and so something about the problem.

Minstrel culture is accepted as a part of life in South Africa today because of its cultural context. Cultural context. Blacks in South Africa wearing white face can sing EOT, because minstrel celebrations are accepted there, but whites singing EOT in Texas is racist. Think about that.

Yes, you can have minstrel celebrations that are not racist. Depending on the cultural context. Think about that.

Now, help me understand the cultural context of how EOT was developed.

And please site sources. I'll hang up and take my answer off line.

Is there a carbon monoxide leak in your house

[Fletch 5817]

9 minutes ago, GreenspointTexas said:

The longer we keep the song and the longer we bicker about it, the worse we look. 
 

Get rid of the fucking song already (should have been done last year) and start a new tradition or school song. When we are all long and gone, this story will only be a footnote to the football national championships we will win because we dropped the song, anyway

 

Like others have said, there is no fucking way we keep the song in its current form. The sooner yall realize this, the sooner yall can accept it and move forward. 

Ricky and Earl still want it sung. The Godfather’s have spoken. Some of the coolest moments in my and many other Longhorn fans life has been singing the eyes before and after every game

[CowboyFred 1162]

13 minutes ago, GreenspointTexas said:

The longer we keep the song and the longer we bicker about it, the worse we look. 
 

Get rid of the fucking song already (should have been done last year) and start a new tradition or school song. When we are all long and gone, this story will only be a footnote to the football national championships we will win because we dropped the song, anyway

 

Like others have said, there is no fucking way we keep the song in its current form. The sooner yall realize this, the sooner yall can accept it and move forward. 

1234

[tonedeaf 56]

5 minutes ago, USMCHorn said:

“I read books by black guys who agree with me. Obviously, I'm not racist.”

Ok, now go read books by people who don't agree with you. But if you're easily offended, it's not for you.

Like Acho's book?  Done that.  Others too.  More opinions than facts mostly.  Funny how all mention slavery but never mention the 1300 year muslim slave trade in africa.  Or how it was the white people that ended slavery.  Or how Muslims casterated the black slaves.  And so on.  Most of the other books just tell me how guilty I should feel for something that happened 5-6 generations before I was born.  I can turn on the TV for that. 

[Randolph Duke 4034]

21 minutes ago, Foosters said:

Is there a carbon monoxide leak in your house

When the importance of cultural context is brought up, all you could think of was a carbon monoxide leak.

We thank you for your insightful contribution.

Cultural context. Ignoring it only shows your ignorance.

The argument that EOT is racist because it is attached to minstrel culture and of Robert E. Lee's alleged statement is an argument based on ignorance.

Hopefully, the commission's report will add the required cultural context and we can finally move this discussion forward.

Edited March 2, 2021 by Randolph Duke

[Js1 86940]

1 hour ago, Randolph Duke said:

The people who find EOT racist because of its "minstrel roots" would be blown away to learn that to this very day there is a Minstrel Carnival in Cape Town where Blacks wear white face and dress in striped jackets.

I guess its time we send enlightened Americans over to South Africa to tell Blacks to quit venerating their white privilege and stop acting like racists.

This year's Minstrel Carnival will be in June. Plenty of time to book plane tickets.

Blacks can dress in white face and celebrate minstrel traditions. Insisting they stop would be racist. Meanwhile, whites can't sing EOT because its minstrel roots makes it blatantly racist. Welcome to 2021.

 

Really bad news for the Cape Town Longhorns rugby team. 

[D3zii 3911]

20 minutes ago, Fletch said:

Ricky and Earl still want it sung. The Godfather’s have spoken. Some of the coolest moments in my and many other Longhorn fans life has been singing the eyes before and after every game

Lol really?? Y’all are missing out if some of y’all’s coolest moments in a rich Texas sports history was singing a song...ijs 

[Js1 86940]

1 minute ago, D3zii said:

Lol really?? Y’all are missing out if some of y’all’s coolest moments in a rich Texas sports history was singing a song...ijs 

I usually enjoy the game more than singing a song at the end of the game, but that's just me. 

[EvilCaseMcCoy 692]

1 minute ago, Js1 said:

I usually enjoy the game more than singing a song at the end of the game, but that's just me. 

Cool.  I enjoy the game too, but one of the unique qualities of college football is the tradition.  

Did you ever think the song was in any way racist until this became a headline? 

[Catdaddyhorn 3462]

16 minutes ago, tonedeaf said:

Like Acho's book?  Done that.  Others too.  More opinions than facts mostly.  Funny how all mention slavery but never mention the 1300 year muslim slave trade in africa.  Or how it was the white people that ended slavery.  Or how Muslims casterated the black slaves.  And so on.  Most of the other books just tell me how guilty I should feel for something that happened 5-6 generations before I was born.  I can turn on the TV for that. 

Funny how when talking about America we don't also incorporate Pluto in the discussion. 

[Js1 86940]

1 minute ago, EvilCaseMcCoy said:

Cool.  I enjoy the game too, but one of the unique qualities of college football is the tradition.  

Did you ever think the song was in any way racist until this became a headline? 

No, but to be quite frank, I graduated college and didn't really think about it much anymore.  It's not like I stood in my living room and sang it after a game. 

If you do, cool for you. 

[David Dennison 19441]

2 minutes ago, EvilCaseMcCoy said:

Cool.  I enjoy the game too, but one of the unique qualities of college football is the tradition.  

Did you ever think the song was in any way racist until this became a headline? 

No. Personally, I still don't think the song itself is racist.

But it does have obvious ties to racists and racism. 

Which is why it is going to be retired sometime in the not too distant future. 

[D3zii 3911]

1 minute ago, EvilCaseMcCoy said:

Cool.  I enjoy the game too, but one of the unique qualities of college football is the tradition.  

Did you ever think the song was in any way racist until this became a headline? 

Honestly no, never paid it any attention. But when you know better you do better, that’s how the world works now...It’s not the University of Eyes of Texas lol, rather we change the song or not we are still going to be the University of Texas, the song does not define us. 

[Machinator 32102]

Can I get a fact check from RD or someone else who follows this stuff?

 

[D3zii 3911]

9 minutes ago, Js1 said:

I usually enjoy the game more than singing a song at the end of the game, but that's just me. 

Lol same, I definitely enjoyed winning games way more 

[Js1 86940]

1 minute ago, Machinator said:

Can I get a fact check from RD or someone else who follows this stuff?

 

Well the problem is Texas Athletics is basically run by a junta of big time boosters. 

[D3zii 3911]

Just now, Js1 said:

Well the problem is Texas Athletics is basically run by a junta of big time boosters. 

Which just shows that people outside the program are right....Texas has a big problem of to many cooks in the kitchen just cause they have a big pocket book 

[Murfdogg21 4548]

In this as with all politically charged issues in the 21st century, both sides seem unwilling to show empathy to the opposition and see their perspective. 
 

I thought the university had a committee and would find a compromised solution like denouncing racism and educating on minstrel shows and other bigoted parts of university history, without canceling a song that is not itself racist. Old honkies don’t care what “the blacks” think, while progressives and SJWs seem bent on eradicating it. Seeming charged myself, can we not get to a place where people don’t feel the need to be offended and seek out controversy where none exists? This is way beyond EOT. Society is devolving into an Us vs Them turf war where one side is portrayed as being intolerant to any change while the other side would be content tearing everything down originating or celebrating a time, person, or event that occurred prior to whatever period is compliant with the contemporary acceptable social narrative. 

Edited March 2, 2021 by Murfdogg21

[Pasken 1310]

13 minutes ago, Js1 said:

I usually enjoy the game more than singing a song at the end of the game, but that's just me. 

Maybe someone can start a message board devoted to the song.

[Js1 86940]

2 minutes ago, D3zii said:

Which just shows that people outside the program are right....Texas has a big problem of to many cooks in the kitchen just cause they have a big pocket book 

Well yeah. Texas can forego all donor money and still be a top 5 profitable program in the country but we wouldn't be #1 and win all those Revenue Championships, which is and seemingly has been the goal of the Athletics Department since the 80s. 

[SarkAfterDark 1731]

Not sure why this is so hard. Let those that want to sing the song, sing the song, and whoever doesn’t want to sing it shouldn’t have to and nobody should care about the other persons decision. Why this wasn’t the compromise from the beginning I have no idea. Fuck this stupid as song shit.

[Murfdogg21 4548]

2 minutes ago, Js1 said:

Well yeah. Texas can forego all donor money and still be a top 5 profitable program in the country but we wouldn't be #1 and win all those Revenue Championships, which is and seemingly has been the goal of the Athletics Department since the 80s. 

[Restinmybones 111]

2 hours ago, CowboyFred said:

Lol Texas football will be fine without your money and a few others

Maybe. Maybe not, dependent on numbers. Honestly, I feel little emotional attachment to that song. However, I don't care to be part of twisting history and truth to bow to neo-liberal party hacks. I say that as a life-long independent, anti-war economic leftist, and social libertarian. Both major parties and their corporate, money and attention grabbing political hacks and puppets make me sick. There is no difference between the two big parties. Neither one of them represent the middle and working classes or the growing numbers of poor. I'm done with this non-issue. Hopefully, it completely disappears from this board and from the "news".

[tonedeaf 56]

16 minutes ago, Catdaddyhorn said:

Funny how when talking about America we don't also incorporate Pluto in the discussion. 

Or Guam for that matter. Point?

[D3zii 3911]

4 minutes ago, Js1 said:

Well yeah. Texas can forego all donor money and still be a top 5 profitable program in the country but we wouldn't be #1 and win all those Revenue Championships, which is and seemingly has been the goal of the Athletics Department since the 80s. 

Lord forbid we lose the revenue war but start winning in the field

[Hank Chinaski 6345]

Put me in the camp of "the song will eventually go away, so just end it now so we don't have to keep doing this." 

We can reasonably defend the song as non-racist. We can make logical arguments to justify it, many of which are valid.

But it doesn't matter. It's stained at this point; it's already done. More and more people will associate it with ugly racism - whether you think it should be or not. It doesn't matter anymore. 

My hunch is that the current student majority would vote to get rid of it. To me, this is their time. The players clearly have strong feelings about it. And every time it is covered in the media, it will carry negative connotations and we will look bad. And nothing good will come out of digging our collective heels in.  

I personally don't care about the song. Its a song. Not hearing it again will do nothing to change the fact that I had a great experience at UT, that I have pride in the institution, that I enjoy following the school's academic and athletic events, etc. And none of that is affected by whether we sing along to EOT after a football game, at all. My position is that I am not qualified to tell anyone what should or should not offend them. 

Right, wrong or indifferent - this isn't something that may be swept under the rug. It's going to keep coming up. 

Edited March 2, 2021 by Hank Chinaski

[Randolph Duke 4034]

10 minutes ago, Machinator said:

Can I get a fact check from RD or someone else who follows this stuff?

 

He is working off of 2018 numbers, but is not far off. For FY 2019, donations were $48.3 mil, for FY 2020 they were $49.4.

What he is ignoring is that expenses at UT are far higher than other schools, for a variety of reasons. For example, the Nike contract includes "$22.5 million over the life of the contract for “financial support of UT Austin university initiatives (outside Intercollegiate Athletics) subject to UT Austin President’s approval" and well as four paid annual internships funded by Nike for two student-athletes and two (non-student-athlete) undergraduate UT Austin students."*

There are a lot of opportunities given to students by Bellmont. And jobs, to both members of the community as well as to students wanting to pursue careers in live sports entertainment.

Yes, Texas could start refusing to accept donor contributions. To do so would necessitate a massive restructuring of the entire athletics department. It would necessitate eliminating the millions given annually by the athletics department to the academic side, something only very few schools in the nation do (LSU is the only other school in the nation that comes to mind at the moment).

Simply claiming "everything would be ok" is very simplistic.

 

* Source: https://www.hookem.com/uncategorized/20151030/details-of-utnike-250-million-contract-include-cash-up-front-kevin-durant-line-of-apparel/

 

[sith_horn 2486]

An Open Letter to the Eyes of Texas History Committee - By UTgrad'08 on Feb 10, 2021

Spoiler

Since June, I have posted several times about The Eyes of Texas controversy. My original post focused on the actual history of The Eyes of Texas, which I concluded was not racist. I went more in-depth by creating a visual presentation of my findings by publishing two YouTube videos, Part I and Part II.

My last attempt to inject some sanity back into students, athletes, fans, alumni, professors, and administrators regarding this issue has been to write to every member on the Eyes of Texas History Committee that is currently investigating many elements of the song. I am now making the letter that I sent to the Committee an open letter via this post. The Committee is scheduled to release its conclusions and decisions at the end of this month.

If you agree with my stance on the Eyes of Texas, or at least believe that a more balanced investigation of the song should take place, please share my letter to the Committee with as many people as possible, as you see fit.

Additionally, if you have the same questions and/or concerns that I have concerning the Committee and/or the future of The Eyes of Texas as the official alma mater of UT, please also contact the Committee at the following email addresses and Twitter handles (these email addresses are public information, found on the University's website):

Dr. H.W. Brands, Professor of History: hwbrands@austin.utexas.edu, @hwbrands

Dr. Edmund Gordon, Associate Professor: etgordon@austin.utexas.edu

President Jay Hartzell: president.hartzell@utexas.edu, @JCHartzell

Dr. Peniel Joseph, Professor of Public Affairs: peniel.joseph@austin.utexas.edu, @PenielJoseph

Mr. Jim Nicar, Director of the UT History Corner and UT Heritage Society: @JimNicar

Dr. Richard Reddick, Associate Dean for Equity, Community Engagement, and Outreach: richard.reddick@austin.utexas.edu, @DrRichReddick

Dr. Mary Rivas-Rodriguez, Professor of Journalism: mrivas@austin.utexas.edu, @MRivasRodriguez

Dr. Cherise Smith, Professor of African and African Diaspora Studies: cherise_smith@austin.utexas.edu, @CheriseSmithPhD

The following is the text of that open letter:

 

 

This letter is respectfully addressed to Dr. H.W. Brands, Dr. Edmund Gordon, President Jay Hartzell, Dr. Peniel Joseph, Mr. Jim Nicar, Dr. Richard Reddick, Dr. Mary Rivas-Rodriguez, Dr. Cherise Smith, and the rest of the members of The Eyes of Texas History Committee:

Since June of 2020, and possibly for some time before, multiple misstatements have been made about the song "The Eyes of Texas." Additionally, many have presented a severe misinterpretation of the song's history. These misinterpretations were most likely inspired by Dr. Edmund Gordon's "Racial Geography Tour" that has become popular viewing for University students in the past several years. If this Committee should find fault with The Eyes of Texas, or recommend its alteration or even abolition, or its presentation as the alma mater, I believe it must answer or address the following:

1. If Robert E. Lee was so fond of using the expression, "the eyes of the South are upon you," then why is there a severe lack of primary or even secondary source evidence showing that he did in fact use this phrase? To my knowledge, neither Dr. Gordon nor the multitude of articles, op-eds, etc. claiming that Lee frequently used this phrase have supplied any historical evidence showing that he actually did so. If the Committee has evidence to the contrary, it should provide it to the public.

2. What can be proven via primary source documents is that the quote "the eyes of the world are upon us," "the eyes of America are upon us," and several other variations of this phrase have been used by famous historical figures for centuries. This highly suggests that "the eyes of Texas" mirrors a common historical phrase rather than one that has specific ties to Robert E. Lee, the Confederacy, or the American South. The Committee should clarify this fact, so that media outlets do not repeat the lie that Robert E. Lee directly inspired the song or phrase, "The Eyes of Texas."

3. It has been claimed by some, like Dr. Gordon, that President William L. Prather's repetition of the phrase "the eyes of Texas are upon you" was directly inspired by Lee. If this is true, why did Prather's daughter - Mary Lee Prather Darden - contradict this claim in a 1926 Dallas Morning News interview? Based on her recollection at that time, Prather did not quote Robert E. Lee in his 1899 speech. The Committee should clearly communicate that accounts of Prather's 1899 speech are, at the very least, inconclusive regarding the question of him quoting Lee, or using anything Lee said as an inspiration for the phrase "the eyes of Texas are upon you."

4. There is at least some doubt, by Dr. Gordon's own admission, that black face was used in the 1903 debut of "The Eyes of Texas." On his "Racial Geography Tour," Dr. Gordon states, "In minstrel shows of the era performers wore blackface, although this detail is not specifically recorded in accounts of the Hancock show." If this is the case, then the Committee should urge those in the media to accurately report that black face "may have been used" during the debut of the song. They should also clearly communicate this fact to students, fans, alumni, athletes, and all other interested parties.

5. According to all available historical evidence, "The Eyes of Texas" quickly became a song beloved by the student body and adopted as a school anthem. It did not remain a regular "minstrel song." The Committee should clarify for all those interested that, while the song debuted at a minstrel show, students, administration, and alumni quickly elevated "The Eyes of Texas" as a song to represent the high ideals of the University. In other words, while minstrel shows and acts were, unfortunately, somewhat common at the University until the 1960s, performing "The Eyes of Texas" was not a regular minstrel routine on campus.

6. Many people have falsely connected the spirit group Texas Cowboys as being involved with minstrel shows and "The Eyes of Texas." While the Texas Cowboys did perform minstrel shows up until the 1960s, the group was founded in 1922, and the first performance of "The Eyes of Texas" took place in 1903. The Committee should seek to clarify these facts.

7. It has been claimed that "The Eyes of Texas" has "racist undertones." While the exact meaning of "racist undertones" depends on one's own interpretation and opinion, it can be assumed that many mean that the song has a hidden, racist meaning. By examining the history of the song, this is not the case. The main author, John L. Sinclair, nicknamed the song the "prexy joke parody," meaning it was intended to make fun of President William L. Prather. The Committee should communicate to all those interested that the words and lyrics of the song were clearly directed at one object - President Prather - and never had any sort of hidden or overt racial message.

8. Those who claim "The Eyes of Texas" is a racist song usually focus on two key points: its debut at a 1903 minstrel show, and the tune of the song, which is based on "I've Been Working on the Railroad" or "The Levee Song." Some have argued that the adoption of the tune was another way for the authors to present a quasi-hidden racist message. However, in a 2003 Alcalde article, Frances Vick and Jim Nicar (who is a member of this committee) claimed that John Sinclair heard black workers singing "I've Been Working on the Railroad" on his family farm, liked the tune, and chose to use it for "The Eyes of Texas." If this is the case, the Committee should, at the very least, admit that it is not exactly known why the tune was adopted for the "The Eyes of Texas," and that there is evidence that suggests race had no specific impact in Sinclair's decision to use the tune that he chose.

In conclusion, it is my opinion that this Committee, especially those who are historians and academics, should communicate that the actual historical evidence contradicts many of the present negative claims about the history of "The Eyes of Texas." While the song did debut at a minstrel show, and used the tune of a common minstrel show song, Longhorn fans, students, alumni, and all others interested should know the true historical facts concerning the story and creation of "The Eyes of Texas."

For more information and a more comprehensive presentation of the facts and evidence I have highlighted above, please view the following:

A Historical Case FOR Singing "The Eyes of Texas": https://www.burntorangenation.com/2020/6/16/21292505/a-historical-case-for-singing-the-eyes-of-texas?_ga=2.152953137.906723874.1607744790-1033583533.1592006177

The REAL History of The Eyes of Texas - Part I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOLsCglGeW4

The REAL History of The Eyes of Texas - Part II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZRa-e-8GQo

If I am in error regarding the presentation or interpretation of historical facts and evidence, please let me know.

Sincerely,

KeepTheEyes

Historian & Texas Ex

@KeepTheEyes1

 

[Cajun 11771]

1 hour ago, David Dennison said:

No one is asking the Eyes of Texas to be removed from history...yet

fify

[Nice Guy Eddie 13707]

4 minutes ago, Hank Chinaski said:

Put me in the camp of "the song will eventually go away, so just end it now so we don't have to keep doing this." 

We can reasonably defend the song as non-racist. We can make logical arguments to justify it, many of which are valid.

But it doesn't matter. It's stained at this point; it's already done. More and more people will associate it with ugly racism - whether you think it should be or not. It doesn't matter anymore. 

My hunch is that the current student majority would vote to get rid of it. To me, this is their time. The players clearly have strong feelings about it. And every time it is covered in the media, it will carry negative connotations and we will look bad. And nothing good will come out of digging our collective heels in.  

I personally don't care about the song. Its a song. Not hearing it again will do nothing to change the fact that I had a great experience at UT, that I have pride in the institution, that I enjoy following the school's academic and athletic events, etc. And none of that is affected by whether we sing along to EOT after a football game, at all. My position is that I am not qualified to tell anyone what should or should not offend them. 

 

This is where I'm at. It's irrelevant whether there is or isn't a racist past with The Eyes. If the current students don't want something, then the school should go with their opinions. The school and the sports is for them first, and alumni second.

And agree 100% that no one is ever in a position to tell someone else that they're not being offended. Obviously there is a general reasonableness check on whether something should be banned or stopped but I can't say that is my role to decide. And if you are someone that wants to argue something isn't racist, that seems like a poor position to put yourself in.

finally, I could care less about a school song. Getting all worked up about keeping the song is very Aggie-like. I went to UT to avoid that. 

[LTtxfan 49909]

15 minutes ago, Murfdogg21 said:

In this as with all politically charged issues in the 21st century, both sides seem unwilling to show empathy to the opposition and see their perspective. 
 

I thought the university had a committee and would find a compromised solution like denouncing racism and educating on minstrel shows and other bigoted parts of university history, without canceling a song that is not itself racist. Old honkies don’t care what “the blacks” think, while progressives and SJWs seem bent on eradicating it. Seeming charged myself, can we not get to a place where people don’t feel the need to be offended and seek out controversy where none exists? This is way beyond EOT. Society is devolving into an Us vs Them turf war where one side is portrayed as being intolerant to any change while the other side would be content tearing everything down originating or celebrating a time, person, or event that occurred prior to whatever period is compliant with the contemporary acceptable social narrative. 

Report from UT will be released next week per Quan Cosby who said he was on the Committee researching the history and discussing this issue.  He stated that the Committee was a diversified group of folks from various backgrounds to gather several different perspectives.

(Quan was on HornFM this morning. I'll try to add playback when available.)

FWIW... Quan has been a supporter of keeping EOT