Is 'The Eyes of Texas' racist? Masked man loads, flaunts gun during Zoom debate on University of Texas song
A Zoom call discussion organized by students to discuss the University of Texas alma mater song being racist turned terrifying when an unidentified man in a mask loaded a gun and then flaunted it. Alberto Martinez, a history professor, was leading the meeting when the frightening incident happened. Martinez has said that the song, titled ‘The Eyes of Texas’, is racist and has a connection to Confederate General Robert E Lee.
The man with the gun was reportedly only seen by moderators of the Zoom conference because Martinez was “pinned,” or spotlighted, onscreen. The screenshot of the horrifying moment was shared with NBC News that reported that the person was donning a beanie, with a bandanna, which covered most parts of his face and only his eyes were showing. The firearm was in front of his chest and he was gripping it using both of his hands. After the episode, the professor informed the police, who said they are probing the matter.
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Martinez stated: “It’s certainly frightening to see someone with a tactical shotgun when you’re just talking about a song. I guess to many people it’s a symbol of Texas or things they value. But at the same time, we are just talking, so it’s shocking to see anyone wearing a mask and brandishing a weapon in a threatening manner.”
As per reports, the student group Texas Orange Jackets, who organized the virtual meeting, also live-streamed it on Facebook and kept it open to the public, so background verification was not that strict. The Orange Jackets is a service organization which has joined hands with other students in demanding the cancellation of the 'The Eyes of Texas' song. Irene Ameena, the Orange Jackets' director of inclusion, said, “I think this kind of violence made me realize that this isn’t just an argument between students about a song. It’s traumatizing to see someone loading a gun in front of you.”
This comes after last year in June, University of Texas School of Journalism Director Kathleen McElroy penned down a piece for Austin American-Statesman in which she said the song made her “uncomfortable”. She wrote, “It’s the ubiquitous 'The Eyes of Texas.' University of Texas student athletes from several sports, most notably the collective football team, called for the song’s retirement among a list of changes they say UT needs to make to show respect for African-Americans. Their demands come as the systemic devaluation of Black life has caused a racial reckoning across the country.”
“‘The Eyes of Texas’ has been periodically scrutinized yet left mostly unscathed. Some African-Americans like me were uncomfortable singing it but did so because of our respect for UT and a belief in its students. We knew its first performance was likely in blackface, but more recent diggings, like a Burnt Orange Nation piece, reveal the song’s historical anti-blackness. It’s not a song that invites unity. A few believe its stalker vibe — at best creepy for 21st century women — warned slaves: ‘You cannot get away,’” McElroy added.