Texas A&M Disavows Racism on All Platforms Except Block of Granite in Academic Plaza

Following nationwide action taken in response to the murder of George Floyd and countless other unarmed black people by police, Texas A&M University posted an official statement committing to end racism on all platforms except the block of granite in Academic Plaza.

Trying to break away from a history of segregation and Klansmen, Texas A&M has attempted to create accountability for racist actions both on and off campus. Although not entirely successful, the initiative has demonstrated remarkable commitment to eradicating racism as long as the statue of Lawrence Sullivan Ross in Academic Plaza is left untouched.

“I’m so proud of Texas A&M for declaring that racism is bad. Racism is soooooo bad. I hate racists,” said Karla Stuart, a senior engineering major. “But not him. Sure, he was a Confederate general, but he was just fighting for states’ rights. Who cares if those rights were primarily to enslave human beings? Everybody makes mistakes.”

Instead of being preserved in a museum or exhibit, the statue continues to be an active part of campus life. While other grim reminders of the university’s past such as Klansman robes are kept in university archives, the statue is not contextualized by so much as an informational plaque, nor is its model’s history wholly acknowledged when explained to visitors. Instead, it is a popular tradition to place good luck offerings at the feet of the former university president and white supremacist.

“You have to look at historical monuments like this in context,” one anonymous student said. “If I had been born in a time where black people were subject to brutality and systematic oppression, I’d probably be racist too.”

 

— Broken Reed Arena & Ring Chunks