The University of Texas at Austin band will be required to play “The Eyes of Texas,” the school’s alma mater, after the tune sparked a backlash from students and athletes.
The Longhorn Band and the Longhorn Pep Band will both have a “required repertoire” of “traditional university selections,” including “The Eyes of Texas,” the college’s Butler School of Music wrote Wednesday. The institution introduced a “to be named” group “that will not play the university alma mater or fight song.”
“We need to celebrate and nurture what makes UT special, and the Longhorn Band is one of those great organizations that shape our campus culture, elevate school spirit and provide amazing opportunities for our students,” University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell, who approved the plan, said in a statement. “Our multi-million-dollar commitment over the next five years will support the Longhorn Band in restoring — and even going beyond — its former glory, while also providing strong support for our entire portfolio of university bands.”
Football players at the school in March alleged that top brass at the university threatened their career prospects if they chose to protest the school’s song, which some have said has racist undertones. There was an October 2020 demonstration by the team where all but one player remained in the locker room when it was performed before a game against the University of Oklahoma.
UT AUSTIN CONCLUDES ‘NO RACIST INTENT’ IN SCHOOL SONG THAT SPARKED PROTEST WITH FOOTBALL TEAM
“My teammates and I got threatened by some alumni that we would have to find jobs outside of Texas if we didn’t participate,” Caden Sterns, a defensive back, wrote in a tweet.
Another player, junior linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, said, “They said y’all don’t have to sing it. But y’all have to stay on the field. Y’all have to go over there and at least show fans appreciation for coming out and watching you guys play.”
Top officials and coaches at the school denied the claims and maintained no one was coerced or forced to participate in the pregame show.
Days after the accusations first circulated, the university concluded that “The Eyes of Texas” had “no racist intent.” Researchers added that the song was tied to minstrel shows, racially charged performances in early U.S. history, but not directly to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, contrary to a view held by many who have criticized the tune.
“Research by the committee has uncovered important facts and historical context, some of which has never been systematically compiled and analyzed until now,” the report said. “These historical facts add complexity and richness to the story of a song that debuted in a racist setting, exceedingly common for the time, but, as the preponderance of research showed, had no racist intent in that it was intended to parody the famous phrases of the university president.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“However, systemic racial intent existed in the setting and culture where the song debuted,” the report added. “The exclusion of Black students at that time presents an opportunity to think about how they and other communities of color have fought for inclusion and the work that remains to ensure all members of our community feel they belong.”
