A report released Tuesday by a University of Texas at Austin committee found that the controversial alma mater, “The Eyes of Texas” debuted at a minstrel show where students likely wore blackface. bit.ly/30uHHZz
The report said that William Prather, the university president who coined the phrase at the turn of the 20th century, said he took it from stories he heard and read about Confederate leaders who used a similar phrase to urge troops on during the Civil War. bit.ly/3cdQUuO
But the 24-member committee could not find primary documents that specifically tied the phrase to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, despite it long being believed that Lee was part of the song’s origin story. bit.ly/30uHHZz
The committee concluded the intent of the song was “not overtly racist.”
Criticism of the song has long percolated, but as protests for racial justice swept the country, students asked universities to shed past relics memorializing racist figures. bit.ly/3l7IjOk
Criticism of the song has long percolated, but as protests for racial justice swept the country, students asked universities to shed past relics memorializing racist figures. bit.ly/3l7IjOk
Emails we obtained show that hundreds of alumni and donors demanded that the school stand up to "cancel culture" and firmly get behind the song as students protested against it— or else donors were going to walk away. bit.ly/3qwz0si
And football players say they were forced to stay on field for the song to appease angry donors and fans: bit.ly/3rJfn1H
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