Racism at Texas A&M

[txrandom]

November 7, 2006



An Open Letter to the Aggie Family:

Yesterday was a sad day for Texas A&M. It was brought to my attention
that individuals who appear to be Aggie students had posted to a public
web site a home-made video that is so utterly disgusting that,
regardless of race, religion, or background, I believe virtually any
member of our Aggie family would be outraged and ashamed if they viewed
it. The content of the video is offensive on many levels and would be
so to all Aggies, but is particularly insulting and hurtful to members
of our Black community. The hateful video is not simply an example of
poor judgment and insensitivity; it appears to have been purposefully
produced to insult and demean. When one member of the Aggie family is
insulted, we are all insulted. I find the content of the video
inexcusable and I believe virtually all Aggies join me in that belief.

I cannot fully express my disappointment and embarrassment that Texas
A&M students may have been involved in this matter. While I respect
and value the constitutional right to free speech, I can neither
condone nor accept that right being disrespected in this manner. We
believe we have identified the students allegedly involved in producing
the video and are directing them to meet with Student Affairs officials
to discuss their actions, as well as their future at Texas A&M. The
university has already contacted the web host and demanded that the
video be removed, and they have done so.

The university will be hosting a community forum at 7 p.m. this evening
in Rudder Tower, Room 601 to provide students, faculty and staff an
opportunity to express their opinions about how the university moves
forward and overcomes this disgraceful episode.

In this vein, I applaud the editors of The Battalion for strongly
condemning the actions of students whose behavior is counter to
everything Aggies stand for -- loyalty, character, integrity and
respect.

I deeply regret that anyone was hurt by viewing the video, or simply
knowing or hearing about it. At a time when Texas A&M is doing more
than ever to attract, retain and graduate a diverse student body, the
damage done by the insensitivity of two or three individuals is
immeasurable. I am extremely disappointed by their behavior, but even
more saddened by the hurt this might bring to many members of our
campus and extended communities.

Finally, I am truly outraged by this moronic video. Those who made it
are no true Aggies, and I expect they will have to live with the
consequences of their actions in this matter for a very long time.



Robert M. Gates, President
Texas A&M University

So if the students who were involved with get expelled, do you think a huge legal battle will happen since everyone is guaranteed freedom of speech and Texas A&M is a public school?

I haven't seen the video and must of skipped over the section of the newspaper were it talked about it.

What do you think?

Edit- Found a link to the school newspaper that describes the video.

Text

 

[Thraxen]

Hard to comment without seeing the video or at least being told in more detail what the video contained.

 

[spidey07]

What legal battle? They can expell you for any reason they want to. They don't want this kind of behavior or students at the school. Don't see anything wrong at all.

 

[txrandom]

Originally posted by: spidey07
What legal battle? They can expell you for any reason they want to. They don't want this kind of behavior or students at the school. Don't see anything wrong at all.

I didn't think a public school could expell you for any reason.

 

[uhohs]

need more info

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: txrandom
So if the students who were involved with get expelled, do you think a huge legal battle will happen since everyone is guaranteed freedom of speech and Texas A&M is a public school?

I haven't seen the video and must of skipped over the section of the newspaper were it talked about it.

What do you think?

Edit- Found a link to the school newspaper that describes the video.

Text

Freedom of speech guarantees you the right to say anything you want.

It does not protect you from the consequences.

 

[NatePo717]

It was probably a breach of their code of conduct or something which they can expel them for.

 

[uhohs]

Originally posted by: txrandom

Originally posted by: spidey07
What legal battle? They can expell you for any reason they want to. They don't want this kind of behavior or students at the school. Don't see anything wrong at all.

I didn't think a public school could expell you for any reason.

lolwtf?

 

[Wreckem]

If A&M was really concerned about racism, they would do away with over half the statues on campus.

Until they get rid of the statues of prominent racists, they can never claim they are truely sensitive or care about racism.

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: spidey07
What legal battle? They can expell you for any reason they want to. They don't want this kind of behavior or students at the school. Don't see anything wrong at all.

There's your answer. There's a code of conduct at many schools that outlines a higher standard of personal conduct. You break that code, you're out.

 

[Babbles]

I'm just going out on a limb here, but doing whatever that video claims to be doing may not be covered under freedom of speech because as students they probably have to adhere to some code of ethics/conduct. Nobody is forcing them to go to college, and as such there could be a "contract" to behave within certain limits. As students they signed on the dotted line and therefore they need to follow them rules. If they don't like it and want more "freedom" then they can leave school.

Just my hypothesis.

 

[JS80]

It's only freedom of speech until you disagree with a liberal. Then it's hate speech.

Anyone have a better/fuller description of the video?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: spidey07
What legal battle? They can expell you for any reason they want to. They don't want this kind of behavior or students at the school. Don't see anything wrong at all.

:thumbsup:

Inappropriate behavior is inappropriate behavior. Videotaping it and putting it on a website does not protect you from the consequences of that behavior under the guise of "free speech."

 

[mercanucaribe]

First the Corps insulting the real military, and now this. Way to go Aggies!

 

[spidey07]

"Finally, I am truly outraged by this moronic video. Those who made it
are no true Aggies, and I expect they will have to live with the
consequences of their actions in this matter for a very long time. "

This quote right here means they are most definately getting thrown out of school. That president is ticked off royally.

So it's not "if they get expeleed", more like how soon before they are packing their bags and escorted off the university.

 

[Wreckem]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
First the Corps insulting the real military, and now this. Way to go Aggies!

The Corp of Cadets use to be different in its heyday, which was a long time ago. Now it is basically just one large frat.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: JS80
It's only freedom of speech until you disagree with a liberal. Then it's hate speech.

Anyone have a better/fuller description of the video?

Pretty sure that racism is prohibited by the code of conduct.

 

[txrandom]

Originally posted by: Garet Jax

Originally posted by: txrandom
So if the students who were involved with get expelled, do you think a huge legal battle will happen since everyone is guaranteed freedom of speech and Texas A&M is a public school?

I haven't seen the video and must of skipped over the section of the newspaper were it talked about it.

What do you think?

Edit- Found a link to the school newspaper that describes the video.

Text

Freedom of speech guarantees you the right to say anything you want.

It does not protect you from the consequences.

I know freedom of speech doesn't guarantee you to say anything, but that doesn't mean a court case will ensue.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: txrandom
I know freedom of speech doesn't guarantee you to say anything, but that doesn't mean a court case will ensue.

And promptly and immediately thrown out. There is no case. I sincerely doubt any attorney would even take it.

To put it another way let's say I make some crazy, insanely stupid video that brings very bad attention and publicity to my employer. I will be shown the door. That's all that is happening here - the Univiersity is just saying "not at my school you don't".

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Meh, just sounds like a 4chan video, BFD

The master whipping his slave telling him to get off his internets?

 

[eits]

stunned... i'm STUNNED that there's racism at a southern school... absolutely shocked and appauled!

 

[Inspector Jihad]

Originally posted by: JS80
It's only freedom of speech until you disagree with a liberal. Then it's hate speech.

Anyone have a better/fuller description of the video?

so wait...you're implying that people who disagree with racism and oppose this action are liberals

so are conservatives the opposite of that :Q

 

[Wreckem]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: txrandom
I know freedom of speech doesn't guarantee you to say anything, but that doesn't mean a court case will ensue.

And promptly and immediately thrown out. There is no case. I sincerely doubt any attorney would even take it.

To put it another way let's say I make some crazy, insanely stupid video that brings very bad attention and publicity to my employer. I will be shown the door. That's all that is happening here - the Univiersity is just saying "not at my school you don't".

Of course they wouldnt take it. You can't sue the Texas Government. Texas A&M = State of Texas. Just look at the Bonfire accident. The victims families have tried and unsuccessfully sued Texas A&M, going all the way to the Texas Supreme Court. Under the state constitution the state has sovereign immunity, which means you cannot sue the State of Texas, with the exception you can ask the state to grant you permission to sue the state, but thats never going to happen.

But sure you could go through the state courts all the way up to the Texas Supreme Court, and then try to get into the federal system, but thats a whole hell of a lot of money, and a long stretch of time with no guarantee the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will take the case.

 

[Babbles]

Originally posted by: eits
stunned... i'm STUNNED that there's racism at a southern school... absolutely shocked and appauled!

Racists can be found in every corner of the world.

Douche.

 

[uhohs]

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones
Meh, just sounds like a 4chan video, BFD

The master whipping his slave telling him to get off his internets?

haha, wouldn't surprise me if they were /b/ tards