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A Tennessee university president has apologized for offending African American students with a table centerpiece that included stalks of cotton — a piece of Southern-style decor that is raising questions about cultural and racial sensitivity.
I think the OP should read the social media post of the student. The issue wasn't so much the centerpiece but the fact that they felt that the event was a charade and that they were lied to then had to eat uncomfortably (said there were no chairs for them to sit in) a stereotypical meal.
I found it odd that the day before the Latino students got "tacos" which is stereotypical and then they give black students greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread. It is pretty ridiculously funny to me, but I honestly wouldn't have considered it racist and I don't think the student who wrote that post did.
Note the OP link had a quote as follows from one of the black students:
Quote:
“There were other problems that occurred at the dinner that are not mentioned in this ‘apology,’ ” she wrote. “We came to his house after being told that we would get to share our experiences as a black student and to have a question and answer session with President Lowry. Instead, we heard his life story, his wife’s, and the life story of David Lipscomb (with an emphasis on all the good things he did for slaves and African Americans). We did not get a chance to voice any of our questions like we were promised. Therefore, we are upset about other things aside from these poorly chosen cotton centerpieces.”
See the blue. That seems to have been the issue - that they were there under false pretenses and the other stuff was basically icing on the cake. But you all will focus on the centerpiece and the southern meal and act like blacks get offended about them instead.
It was purposefully done to stereotype, intimidate.....or the President is one of the dumbest Presidents of a university.
They aren't upset about the cotton and collards, they are upset about the intent of the cotton and collards.
Kind of like the whole business with making the Confederate Flag during the Civil Rights Era (yes I know it was the Dixie Democrats -- we all know that --- parties have evolved over time -- lol). The flag wasn't being honored for being a part of history - it was being raised as a statement against segregation.
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