OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss has shortened one of its fight songs to discourage football fans from chanting "the South will rise again" during part of the tune, which critics say is an offensive reminder of the region's intolerant past.
However, some fans have continued to recite the chant at the end of the song, "From Dixie With Love," despite the change made last week at the chancellor's request. The Ole Miss band performs the medley before and after games.
Dan Jones, who became Ole Miss chancellor in July, said he asked the school's band director, David Wilson, to modify the song to support the efforts of the Associated Student Body. He said he has received complaints from alumni that the slogan is offensive.
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Comments » 68
Voluvr writes:
That what you get when you hire liberals. Nevermind the result, it's the appearance that counts.
CB4VOLZ writes:
buncha cowards..... plain and simple
sigmundoooz#264365 writes:
So when one says "the South will rise again", I'm guessing that it can NEVER mean that the South will become a prosperous, culture rich, welcoming land of plenty where you say hi to everybody you pass on the street, leave the doors unlocked and enjoy a strong sense of community and family. What a bunch of politically correct B.S. I'm tired of letting bigotted, racist groups tell those of us from the South that everything we say is racist and can only be racist because it's a Southerner saying it. Racism is still alive but I see a lot more of it since I moved out of the South than I did while I still lived there.
Texvol2 writes:
Totally concur
VOLinNYC writes:
As a Latino (yes, I know it's not the race that was oppressed), proudly raised in Tennessee and now living in the North, I don't find the phrase offensive at all. We Southerners are viewed as slow and backwards people in other parts of the country and I see the phrase as a call for the region to rise again to a high status. I'm proud of my state and I'm proud of my region.
I understand why people would be offended, but any idiot knows that it doesn't mean that the South will secede and fight again or begin to enslave new peoples again.
Why are we talking about this!? It's football! Beat BAMA!
Vol86 writes:
Glad I read your post. Mine was going to be similar.
KENVOL writes:
Ole Miss the gutless college. Stand up for your heritage. Where is this sh_t going to stop?
jjhvols writes:
Next they will change the nickname Rebels because this promotes rebelion aginst the US.
tallfry writes:
Um, maybe people find "the South shall rise again" offensive because it refers to a confederate battle hymn from the civil war era... Back when the South was protecting slavery. And given Ole Miss's fairly recent history (1962, during many's lifetime) of being white-only, and a hub for violent anti-integration protests, maybe they should take a step to remove that image of being so pro-'civil war confederacy', as they did with the Colonel Sanders lookalike, Ole Reb. Just because you aren't offended doesn't mean it isn't offensive.
dburgVol writes:
Screw political correctness!
VolunteerLifer writes:
It's their school, their song, their heritage. If they want to change it, so be it.
Vol86 writes:
Maybe I find "tallfry" offensive because I am not tall. On and on we can go. So there for your liberal phoey.
RebelVol writes:
I go to ole miss. Believe me, the students are outraged. From Dixie with love is a slow version of Dixie. Towards the second half of the song, the band switches over to Battle Hymn of the Republic to symbolize the North and South coming together( Liberals fail to mention that part when arguing) The thing about this whole situation is that it isn't the african-american population calling for change. Chancellor Jones, who said that "The South will rise again" is classless, supported the idea of chanting "Go to hell LSU" in its place(because that is so classy). It is a small group of morons here slowly ruining our tradition. When the Civil War broke out about 90% dropped out to fight for the south. Just about all of them were killed during Gettysburg. Are we not supposed to honor them? Fact of the matter is that it is our heritage, like it or not. The South today is lagging in health, education, and many other things. The agriculture business, a staple of the South, has outsourced thousands of jobs to mexico and central america. Maybe it is time for the South to Rise Again, Chancellor Jones?
AVolVoice writes:
I hate the fact that everyone thinks the Civil War was all about the great, virtuous North teaching the backwards, evil South that slavery was bad.
Slavery was but a small reason that the Civil War even took place, and the South was fighting for States' rights, something we don't know anything about these days because States' rights are nonexistent now.
Vol86 writes:
Go get em kid. You give me hope that there are youngsters out there that are not just liberal panty waste. Heritage not Hate is the debate.
sampears writes:
But....the south WILL rise again!...: )
Vol86 writes:
Get off your high horse. I would think you are no less of a racist than anyone else who posted.
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
there are more racists in new england and the midwest than in the south...the difference is that what racists are in the south are not afraid to make it obvious, the ones up north try to do it quietly to not look like they are racist.
volhome#407234 writes:
Bold move my big wide behind. They are cowards plain and simple. Come to think of it, I perfer the word carpetbaggers. I, for one, think if we were to go best two out of three, we would whip them danged Yankees like the government mules they are. The South HAS RISEN AGAIN!
dvols writes:
actually there are too many hot chicks runnning around the grove....and that offends me!
SavageOrangeJug writes:
What a crock!
Liberalism truly is a disease of the mind.
marinevol writes:
You shouldn't let that stop you. KNS has not set a limit for stupid posts.
ThurmondEppy writes:
Have yall also seen the new COL Reb mascot? He's not even red and blue anymore, he's all silver. Not sure I get that. Heck, I guess they need to quit calling themselves "Rebels" too.
kman29 writes:
Your right, so many think that the Civil War was about Slavery. Fact is, the north couldnt have cared less about slavery. The war started because the southern states felt they were not getting a fair share of the profits with exporting when it came to trading with England and European countries. Southern states were exporting crops, tobacco ect..that they grew and more than half of the profit went to northern states. The "fight" against slavery came as in effort of the north to get african americans to join them in fighting and drive a stake into the south's biggest industry...crops and farms.
The south shall rise again refers to rebuilding what was destroyed in the war in terms of their cities that were burned down by Sherman and the economy that caused many to become homeless and poor. But, it never fails anything we do in today's society always is about race.
UT4ever writes:
their heritage is racism
GreerVol22 writes:
think about it
http://www.thejaylenoshow.com/video/c...
marinevol writes:
I take much pride in being from the South. But, unlike many of you, I take no pride in the fact that my ancestors took up arms against the United States of America in an attempt to destroy my country. I have German ancestors. Waving a Confederate flag would be no different than me wearing a swastika and saying it was not about hate, just showing pride in my German heritage. The traitors who fought against our country in the Civil War should not be honored for their treason.
SavageOrangeJug writes:
I think Lil' Hussein Obama has a history of racism too. Maybe we can outlaw him.
LibertyVolance writes:
Good point. Don't know what this is about. OM would probably be better off from a recruiting standpoint if they did abandon that song. It's their problem and will remain a problem until they are able to alter their image. I'm pretty certain all schools in this age are wise enough to know better. It doesn't make social sense or practical sense in terms of offended fans, players, and coaches.
NashvillePreds writes:
You're an idiot.
give_him_6 writes:
Why is is that a "few" people can find something upsetting and pressure a change to take place. When the MAJORITY find nothing wrong with it and aren't even listened to, it's then the end of life as we know it. Maybe there are folks offended by changing the words. Do they not get a voice?? Of course not...Obama wouldn't like it for there to be decent!!!
lnbadger320 writes:
volster you are truly a fool. if we are going to be complete pc, let change all the states names. how about that moron. you really need read some accurate history books. loser
jmr68ut writes:
Whenever Mississippi changes anything like this, you know it's an improvement!!!
WereInTrouble writes:
Offensive.....yes, that's what the federal government was to the South in putting down the largest taxpayer revolt in the history of America. Lincoln is America's Stalin....responsible for over 640,000 deaths. Now, what about that? That is the real crime. Hopefully, the taxpayers WILL rise again against the oppressive government.
OrangePride writes:
I don't know; given what I see going on in Washington and with all these liberal/ultimate PC media outlets, maybe they should just leave that phrase IN! Keep messing with our liberty and our Constitution and we may indeed rise again!!!
marinevol writes:
I understand that patriotism is not an important attribute for many people, obviously not for you. But, it is what my life is all about. When I see people like you advocate rebellion against the United States of America, it makes my blood boil, even though I realize that people like you could never really stand or fight for anything. I should feel sorry for people like you, but I can't.
SuckTheseVols98 writes:
Yep, that sure as hell is some change we can believe in!! haha sucks for you guys!! GO VOLS!!!
teufel_hunden writes:
President Lincoln was a Republican. The Democrats voted against the civil rights act of 1964 if not for the republicans it wouldn't have passed. The fist inter-grated schools where in the coal camps of the Appalachians. Damn the Republicans and south are so bad.
teufel_hunden writes:
“Every generation needs a new revolution.” Thomas Jefferson
kman29 writes:
no whats embarrassing is the fact that we are turning into a country where anything said is considered racisim. We are now to the point where a phrase "the south shall rise again." is racist. lol! Seriously? I guess its only a matter of time before Jessie Jackson jumps in. Wondering how much longer before those same folks come to Jacksonville, Florida and demand the change of Highschool names Nathan Forest High Rebels and Robert E. Lee High Generals to Martin Luther King and Malcom X High
Dobervol writes:
marinevol, do you believe that blind loyalty to the federal government is the only way to be a patriot? Do you not know that this country was founded by "traitors," who refused to submit to tyrannical taxation and decided they'd rather go to war than pay? If someone believes their state government should have more control over their day to day lives than the one in DC, many of our founders would consider that VERY patriotic. If you do serve, I hope you remember that the Oath is to the Constitution of the US, not to any Commander in chief who happens to be elected, even if s/he is a socialist and/or if s/he were to order the military to assist in the confiscation of arms from private citizens in violation of the 2d Amendment? I have a good number of active military friends, and TO A PERSON, they ALL have told me they would refuse such an order and stand with the people against tyranny. Yes, slavery was wrong, and horribly so, but don't act as if those who oppose an overweening, dictatorial gov't are not "patriotic". Anything but. I would not die for the current administration, but I would gladly die for the ideas embodied in the Constitution of the US (yes, the amended version including emancipation). Or does that flag even older than the Civil War which says, "Don't Tread on Me" have no meaning to you?
VolunteerLifer writes:
I once felt the way that you do. But, after many years of reading and learning about it, I think its inescapable that the war would not have been fought were it not for slavery.
I'm not saying that states rights and taxes were not big issues for many southerners, or that preserving the union was not a huge issue by many yankees - and reasons for some taking up arms, but those issues would have been settled peacefully were it not for the flames of anger being constantly fanned by slavery. If slavery were not a huge driver of the war, then why did it end when the south was defeated?
That said, I don't see why some people get so offended at Ole Miss honoring their heritage as brave rebel fighters, whether they were on the wrong side of history or not. After all, sports team mascots are often named for feared and ferocious forces, and certainly rebel armies were ferocious and feared. we're talking sports teams here, not civil war. A greater sense of proportion would be in order. USC's mascot is named for Trojans, men of Troy. Those guys made war so they could TAKE SLAVES. Should we be offended by that historic fact and take USC's sports heritage away from them? Of course not.
No one at Ole Miss is advocating a return to slavery or Jim Crow or even racial discrimination of any kind. But in any case its for the Ole Miss people to work out, cause its their mascot and heritage. I wish them well with that, however it turns out.
KSargent writes:
I am sorry my friend .... but you need to study history and understand the facts ..... It was all about States Rights ....
Millisa writes:
This is stupid I don't see nothing wrong with the way it was before.
Liberal_Vol writes:
So true, so true.
the10sevol writes:
well said.
GBO
cdldoc#211897 writes:
Can we really eliminate all things offensive to anyone? What if I find Obama's socialistic tendencies offensive? Will Mississippi erase his name? Don't think so. Today's society responds to the folks that are loud and have "feelings". It does not respond to the majority of taxpaying folks who want to be left alone..
CadmiumOchre (Inactive) writes:
The offensive nature of the chant isn't understood by certain factions of American society in part because they don't want to recognize certain things for what they are.
That specific part of the chant has a historical meaning and is held dear to this day by extremist groups such as the KKK, Aryan nations, Aryan Brotherhood, skinhead groups and others. This is the heritage you speak of whether you meant it or not. The chant is a promise of a return to a former period of exploitation and oppression, and after viewing recent History Channel documentaries of these extremist groups and how they operate and their goals and significant increase in membership, one must wonder how far off that promise is.
I love my country, if she faced an external threat, I want a weapon and all I need to know is who to shoot. But the fact is, this nation's historical attitudes toward specific groups of people is echoed in myriad ways. Those who don't live the life of the historically oppressed tend to be totally blind to overt and covert messages and proof of what lies just beneath surface of the presumed "changes" that have come. The proper course is to eliminate as much as possible these obvious and subliminal realities and hopefully one day make this truly the "United" States of America.
However, as I said, certain factions of the population cannot or refuse to recognize certain things for what they really are.
On another note, I also think that too often minority groups exhibit extreme and at times outright foolish hypersensitivity to some things that are totally innocent of offense. Which only feeds further resentment, even create resentment where there was none before. Thus this whole thing is a case of Romans 3:10.
the10sevol writes:
wow. kman and i agree. peace, bro.
i think the sentiment that "the south shall rise again" is a regional rally cry, having nothing to do with race or bigotry. the problem is the pre-existing image of ole miss - the general, confederate battle flags, etc. tends to slant the way it's received.
the south i grew up in (Tennessee) had folks of all colors and backgrounds, and we all managed to bond in classrooms and on the ballfields. in the neighborhood i grew up in, we played football pick-up games with teams based on skin color, not because we hated each other, but because we didn't have jerseys. there was no racism involved, it just made it easier to tell who was on which team. before, during, and after the games there was plenty of jawing among everybody, but it was usually jovial and humorous.
i'm as sick as everybody else of the pc spin that's in vogue today, but i will say proudly that the south will rise again.
ole miss, unfortunately, has an image problem based on their use of "rebel flags" and the general for many years.
fwiw, i've lived in fla for the past 30 years. it's a melting pot like louisiana, new york, california, and the rest.
don't confuse regionalism with racism.
this soap box is available for the next "preacher", lol, i'm done.
GBO
volhome writes:
Dude, if you can't see that political correctness will be the ruination of this nation then you deserve to be called one of them danged Yankees that forced their opinion of the Constitution on the South. The South was right about states rights, and would have eventually dropped slavery on our own with the improvements in farming techniques that technology was bringing. And we have risen, and the fight is economic, again we are winning! Oh, I'm glad I am in the Land of Cotton where the old times here are not forgotten. Southern born, and Southern bred, and when I die I'll be Southern dead, hallelujah.
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