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gwynhefarMany of you know I was living in Columbia, South Carolina when the big national hoopla occurred over the fact that the Confederate flag was flying over the state capitol, just below the American flag and the state flag. It was a polarising issue -- tons of South Carolinians held that the Confederate flag was a symbol of pride in the South. In the end, they compromised. They took it off the capitol, but put it on a pole out front on the grounds -- it's actually far more prominent now than it was when it was flying on the capitol building itself.
Now LSU is in the middle of a local controversy involving the flag as well. Numerous LSU football fans have taken to flying a version of the Confederate flag in the LSU colours of purple and gold. Numerous African American students are understandably taking offense. On a much smaller scale, it's the same stuff I heard debated back in SC.
Beneath the cut-tag is the University's official response. I do like this school.
A spirited debate has taken place on many college campuses for some years
now about the Confederate flag and whether or not it should be displayed on
public buildings, on license plates, or at sporting events. This debate
has even reached the campus of LSU, as some Tiger fans display a
purple-and-gold version of the Confederate Naval Battle Jack flag on game
days. While many argue that the flag, whether depicted in its original
colors or in purple and gold, is merely a sign of Southern pride, many
others consider the flag to be a symbol of intolerance or racial
discrimination.
I want to make the university's position on this issue very clear. LSU
does not consider this flag an appropriate symbol of pride or association
with this university, as many in our LSU family find the flag to be
offensive. LSU discourages the use and display of this flag, and the
university has not and will not license the use of its colors and/or
trademarks for use on such a flag. LSU has also made this position known
to flag, specialty advertising and retail businesses who sell LSU items or
engage in the authorized promotion of the university.
Because of LSU's firm belief in the First Amendment and its right of free
speech, the university cannot and will not ban or prohibit these flags or
any other symbols that our students or fans choose to display. To do so
would contest the constitutional right of free speech or expression - a
principle we hold sacrosanct. But that does not mean that the university
sanctions this flag or any other symbols that encourage intolerance or
provoke divisiveness. The First Amendment guarantees free speech, but not
responsible speech. We ask all those who claim pride and allegiance to
LSU, or the South, to refrain from displaying symbols that many find
offensive. Pride in LSU is best shown by flying the LSU flag.
LSU is an institution that opens its doors to everyone, regardless of their
ethnicity, religion, nationality, or ideals. Part of the college
experience for our students is experiencing and learning from the diversity
that surrounds them on LSU's large campus. It is my hope that all members
of the LSU family, as well as visitors to our campus, will be responsible
and use thoughtful judgment before acting in a way that others may find
offensive. This university is committed to creating an environment that is
supporting and inclusive to all the members of the LSU family - past,
present, and future.
Chancellor Sean O'Keefe
Louisiana State University
Now LSU is in the middle of a local controversy involving the flag as well. Numerous LSU football fans have taken to flying a version of the Confederate flag in the LSU colours of purple and gold. Numerous African American students are understandably taking offense. On a much smaller scale, it's the same stuff I heard debated back in SC.
Beneath the cut-tag is the University's official response. I do like this school.
A spirited debate has taken place on many college campuses for some years
now about the Confederate flag and whether or not it should be displayed on
public buildings, on license plates, or at sporting events. This debate
has even reached the campus of LSU, as some Tiger fans display a
purple-and-gold version of the Confederate Naval Battle Jack flag on game
days. While many argue that the flag, whether depicted in its original
colors or in purple and gold, is merely a sign of Southern pride, many
others consider the flag to be a symbol of intolerance or racial
discrimination.
I want to make the university's position on this issue very clear. LSU
does not consider this flag an appropriate symbol of pride or association
with this university, as many in our LSU family find the flag to be
offensive. LSU discourages the use and display of this flag, and the
university has not and will not license the use of its colors and/or
trademarks for use on such a flag. LSU has also made this position known
to flag, specialty advertising and retail businesses who sell LSU items or
engage in the authorized promotion of the university.
Because of LSU's firm belief in the First Amendment and its right of free
speech, the university cannot and will not ban or prohibit these flags or
any other symbols that our students or fans choose to display. To do so
would contest the constitutional right of free speech or expression - a
principle we hold sacrosanct. But that does not mean that the university
sanctions this flag or any other symbols that encourage intolerance or
provoke divisiveness. The First Amendment guarantees free speech, but not
responsible speech. We ask all those who claim pride and allegiance to
LSU, or the South, to refrain from displaying symbols that many find
offensive. Pride in LSU is best shown by flying the LSU flag.
LSU is an institution that opens its doors to everyone, regardless of their
ethnicity, religion, nationality, or ideals. Part of the college
experience for our students is experiencing and learning from the diversity
that surrounds them on LSU's large campus. It is my hope that all members
of the LSU family, as well as visitors to our campus, will be responsible
and use thoughtful judgment before acting in a way that others may find
offensive. This university is committed to creating an environment that is
supporting and inclusive to all the members of the LSU family - past,
present, and future.
Chancellor Sean O'Keefe
Louisiana State University
