FAST FACTS:
Oxford, MS 11/3/2009) Some Ole Miss fans have changed the last few words of the popular song "From Dixie With Love" and inserted "The South will rise again."
That's created a campus controversy.
Sparky Reardon is Dean of Students, "What they're saying is not representative of who we are as a university. It does not tell our story, it is not part of the progress we have made."
The song is a blend of "Dixie" and the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" traditionally sung in the university's "Grove" or in the stands during a game.
Some students, like Richard McKay Vice President of Associated Student Body, feel the change in lyrics is a sad reminder of the early days of desegregation at Ole Miss, "I think the original phrase, "The South Will Rise Again", came from when James Meredeth was integrating the university. And at the end of the song they say, "glory, glory segregation, the south will rise again."
In a prepared statement, University Chancellor Dan Jones said in part, "Concerned student leaders, administrators, faculty, athletics administrators and coaches, alumni and major donors have called for discontinuing the chant. If the chant continues, I will ask the band to discontinue the music that triggers it."
Most students we talked with want the song to stay.
They feel whomever's adding the hurtful lyrics isn't trying to cause racial division.
Artair Rogers is President of the Associated Student Body, "The racial argument really hasn't come out of the issue. It's been more of, "let's get rid of the phrase because it can cause a negative perception to our university."
Members of the university's student body association say they'll work to educate students on the history of "those five words," so the chancellor doesn't pull the plug on a time honored tradition.
- During "From Dixie With Love" song, some people chant "The South will rise again"
- Chancellor worries perception of university will be damaged
- University has worked hard to cover up past and emerge with a new identity
Oxford, MS 11/3/2009) Some Ole Miss fans have changed the last few words of the popular song "From Dixie With Love" and inserted "The South will rise again."
That's created a campus controversy.
Sparky Reardon is Dean of Students, "What they're saying is not representative of who we are as a university. It does not tell our story, it is not part of the progress we have made."
The song is a blend of "Dixie" and the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" traditionally sung in the university's "Grove" or in the stands during a game.
Some students, like Richard McKay Vice President of Associated Student Body, feel the change in lyrics is a sad reminder of the early days of desegregation at Ole Miss, "I think the original phrase, "The South Will Rise Again", came from when James Meredeth was integrating the university. And at the end of the song they say, "glory, glory segregation, the south will rise again."
In a prepared statement, University Chancellor Dan Jones said in part, "Concerned student leaders, administrators, faculty, athletics administrators and coaches, alumni and major donors have called for discontinuing the chant. If the chant continues, I will ask the band to discontinue the music that triggers it."
Most students we talked with want the song to stay.
They feel whomever's adding the hurtful lyrics isn't trying to cause racial division.
Artair Rogers is President of the Associated Student Body, "The racial argument really hasn't come out of the issue. It's been more of, "let's get rid of the phrase because it can cause a negative perception to our university."
Members of the university's student body association say they'll work to educate students on the history of "those five words," so the chancellor doesn't pull the plug on a time honored tradition.
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