TX NAACP, UT Students File Complaint Over 'Eyes Of Texas' Song

Austin TX

09 September, 2021

11:13 AM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — "It's like slave owners making slaves buck dance for their entertainment." That's what Gary Bledsoe, president of the Texas NAACP, said about the University of Texas Longhorn Band being required to play "The Eyes of Texas" song. The state's NAACP chapter and a group of students filed a federal civil rights complaint this month against the university for its continued use of the song. The complaint, which was filed Sept. 3 with the U.S. Department of Education, alleges that Black students, athletes, band members, faculty and alumni are being subjected to violations of the Civil Rights Act and a hostile campus environment, according to the Associated Press. The complaint states the use of the song is "offensive," "disrespectful" and "aggressive." Live in Austin? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone. so texas did play the eyes of texas in the stadium. i think i'm only fan who refused to participate. #hookem pic.twitter.com/rrIGRVkpON— Lena Blietz (@LenaBlietz) September 4, 2021 "The Eyes of Texas" was written in 1903 and has a history of performances in minstrel shows with musicians often in blackface, AP reports. For decades, it has been sung after games and graduation ceremonies, and is a popular sing-along at weddings and even funerals. According to the report, the NAACP and the students want the federal government to withhold funding from the university. The complaint, which includes statements from several anonymous students, alleges those who oppose the song on campus are being harassed and that Black students feel "humiliated" whenever it is played or sung. The Eyes of Texas pic.twitter.com/Q3FefG6CF3— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) September 4, 2021 Last year, athletes and students called for the school to drop the song amid racial injustice protests after the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer in May 2020. School President Jay Hartzell, with the full backing of the university's Board of Regents, said the song will stay and a school research panel determined there was " no racist intent " behind it. On Saturday, the song was played before and after its season-opening football win over Louisiana-Lafayette. More than 80,000 people in the crowd belted and sung-along to the song. A university spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment, AP reports. Live in Austin? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone. RELATED COVERAGE: Texas SB1: What It Restricts, How It'll Affect Voters Texas Voting Bill Adds More Restrictions To Mail-In Voting For First Time, Austin Metro Ran Out Of Staffed Adult ICU Beds