LSU ADMINISTRATION ON WRONG
SIDE OF RACISM CONTROVERSY

First, some background. I mentioned here last October how numerous LSU football fans show up to games waving purple and gold Confederate battle flags like these:



These flags are quite simply offensive: they celebrate a racist and brutal regime philosophically based on the support of slavery as a social institution; I find them to be no different from the swastika--there are plenty of other ways southerners can show their pride without supporting the morally corrupt "nation" known as the Confederate States of America. LSU's administration has issued some lukewarm statements opposing the flag, but, citing free speech rights, claims it can do nothing more. Of course, they're completely wrong. I can think of several strategies short of banning the flag that could prove effective. For instance, the university could throw its massive weight and deep pockets behind a massive PR campaign aimed at making the flag socially unacceptable. Or they could buy and issue to any willing participants different flags that say something to the effect that real Tiger fans don't support the Confederacy. But they don't seem to be interested in that. In fact, it appears that LSU administrators simply want the controversy to go away.

And it seems that they've decided that the easiest way to do it is to silence those who are most vocally opposed to the racist image. So much for free speech.

From LSU's student newspaper, the Daily Reveille:

Collins Phillips hit with five sanctions

Collins Phillips, leader of the Student Equality Commission and last semester's flag protests, said that despite alleged violations of the University Code of Student Conduct, he will not be silenced.

Phillips has been charged by the Office of the Dean of Students for five separate counts of violating the University Code of Student Conduct. University officials would not comment on what disciplinary action would be taken but said consequences may range from expulsion to a warning.

And

Collins was first notified of his violation the evening of the protest in an e-mail from Katrice Albert, vice provost of equity and diversity. In the e-mail she requested an immediate meeting with Phillips, citing some comments Phillips made concerning her diversity agenda and staff.

In her e-mail, Albert alleged that Phillips called the diversity agenda “a bunch of B.S.” and called members of the University Equity, Diversity and Community Outreach staff “lazy.”

At the Jan. 25 meeting in the Quad, Phillips questioned the priorities of University administration. He said that it was wrong for the University to allow money to be spent on building renovations and clickers for Student Government when the University should focus its attention on disabled students and students' needs after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

He also encouraged students to e-mail Chaunda Allen, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and Albert to express concerns with changes in the schedule for Black History Month and the need for a new coordinator at the African American Cultural Center.

Phillips said Albert's accusation was based on hearsay because neither Albert or Allen were present at the meeting.

Click here for the rest.

Phillips shouldn't have to dance around on this. It doesn't matter whether the comments are hearsay or not: he can say these things. University administrators are government officials, and are consequently subject to less libel protection than private individuals. Further, students ought to make such accusations if they believe them to be true; such individuals, those who feel compelled to speak out against perceived injustice, are simply being good students, participating as model citizens of the university community. In short, these "conduct code violations" are trumped up bullshit charges.

They're out to get him.

Again from the Reveille:

E-mails may reveal intentions

During the course of the fall semester’s protests against the purple and gold Confederate flag, Katrice Albert, vice provost for equity and diversity, wrote several e-mails seeking advice on stopping the student protests. Albert sought the help of student leaders to deter Collins Phillips and others from continuing their protests.

The first protest was held Oct. 22, 2005, the day of the Auburn football game, and was followed by a march Oct. 24 from the Union to Chancellor Sean O’Keefe’s office. Two more marches were held on Oct. 29 and Nov. 5, also gamedays.

The Daily Reveille obtained the e-mails after a public records request was made for all e-mails sent and received by Albert during the time of the protests.

And

On Nov. 11, 2005, Albert wrote an e-mail to Michelle Gieg, Student Government president, asking her to encourage Phillips to stop the protests. It was one of numerous e-mails from Albert asking for help in quieting the protests and in some cases to quiet protesters themselves.

“I just need help convincing [Phillips] that enough is enough,” Albert said in the e-mail. “And that working within the system with people who are paid to fight for his cause can be more effective. I am hopeful that he will listen to you.”

Click here for the rest.

They're out to get Phillips; it's obvious. They want to kick him out of school because he is the leader of an anti-racist movement on campus that is embarrassing to LSU administrators. I am absolutely outraged. Right-wing fuckheads like David Horowitz rail away against campus "liberalism" nationwide, but down here in Baton Rouge it's like 1954--what's Horowitz worried about? Liberals aren't in charge here. This is just awful. A university should be a beacon for intellectuality and cultural diversity, but not only does LSU tolerate the mixing of racism and school spirit, it wants to do away with anybody who has a problem with it. I'm disgusted.

I sincerely hope that if they kick this guy out, students here have the balls to walk out of class in mass, and stay out until LSU gets its shit together.


A real hero: Collins Phillips, leader of the Student Equality Commission at LSU (photo courtesy of the Reveille)

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