Dozens of University of Texas at Austin (UT) student tour guides are refusing to work amid demands that the school remove a plaque that bears the lyrics of the controversial song The Eyes of Texas, The Texas Tribune reported Tuesday.
The strike is also in protest against a recent ruling handed down by UT that the school s marching band must keep playing the alma mater. Objections have been mounting over the fight song, which critics say has a racist history.
The plaque in question hangs in the university s Admissions Welcome Center, where it s visible to prospective Longhorns. A group consisting of dozens of students, estimated to be more than half of the campus tour guides, is petitioning the school to remove the plaque to create a more welcome environment for all potential students.
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Students refuse to work, man pulls out gun as tensions rise at UT-Austin over The Eyes of Texas
Kate McGee, The Texas Tribune
May 4, 2021
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Sam Ehlinger grew up in burnt orange, but many of his teammates have far different feelings about the “Eyes of Texas.”Tim Warner /Getty Images
Dozens of students at the University of Texas at Austin who give campus tours to prospective Longhorns are refusing to work this week over a dispute about a plaque with “The Eyes of Texas” lyrics hanging in the Admissions Welcome Center.
The dustup over the plaque is the latest example of UT-Austin officials standing by “The Eyes” over pleas that the university distance itself from the alma mater song because it originated at a minstrel show where students likely wore Blackface.
Tensions boil at UT-Austin over The Eyes of Texas , where students are refusing to work
Kate McGee, Texas Tribune
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In this file photo, students walk through the University of Texas at Austin campus near the school s iconic tower.Eric Gay/APShow MoreShow Less
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The Longhorn Band of the University of Texas at Austin perform during the opening of the 2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl game in 2017.Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle / Houston ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
Dozens of students at the University of Texas at Austin who give campus tours to prospective Longhorns are refusing to work this week over a dispute about a plaque with “The Eyes of Texas” lyrics hanging in the Admissions Welcome Center.
Student tour guides at UT-Austin are going on strike this week over a debate about whether to remove a plaque in the Admissions Welcome Center with The Eyes of Texas lyrics on it. Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Daily Texan
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Dozens of students at the University of Texas at Austin who give campus tours to prospective Longhorns are refusing to work this week over a dispute about a plaque with “The Eyes of Texas” lyrics hanging in the Admissions Welcome Center.
Students are refusing to work and a man with a gun crashed a virtual event
Kate McGee, The Texas Tribune
May 4, 2021
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AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns sings The Eyes of Texas after the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)Tim Warner, Stringer / Getty Images
Dozens of students at the University of Texas at Austin who give campus tours to prospective Longhorns are refusing to work this week over a dispute about a plaque with “The Eyes of Texas” lyrics hanging in the Admissions Welcome Center.