A real miss at Ole Miss: Students protest Obama re-election with racial epithets
Folks, Stopped commenting at 6: 12 p.m. as I thought we had crossed into the absurd. Happy to end with the sensible comment from the UM student, Thanks, Maureen
Expect a lot of unfortunate attention to Ole Miss as a result of a rabble of immature students reacting badly and crudely to President Obama’s re-election last night. They shouted racial epithets and burned Obama signs until University of Mississippi police arrived and dispersed them.
While some news accounts appear to exaggerate the late-night event as a riot, the Daily Mississippian reported it with greater temperance:
Hundreds of Ole Miss students exchanged racial epithets and violent, politicized chants in response to the announcement of the re-election of President Barack Obama.
What began as an argument around midnight quickly spread across campus.
UPD responded to a fire alarm being pulled in Brown Hall as crowds gathered near Kincannon and Stockard (dorms).
I think the best comment in response to this ugly protest appears on the school newspaper site from an Ole Miss alum named Tyler. He wrote:
Protesting what?
It’s called democracy. This sounds like a bunch of immature 18-year-olds (Kincannon is a freshman dorm) who were raised in an ignorant little bubble and are now embarrassing themselves and everyone else associated with Ole Miss, the state of Mississippi, and the entire South. They are too naive/immature to realize how stupid they look and how embarrassing this is for all associated.
They need to realize it’s 2012 and there is a lot they need to learn and understand about the world outside of the communities they grew up in, the college they go to, and the state they live in. They are all too self consumed because to this point many of them have lived a very comfortable/easy life. Mind you, I went to Ole Miss, I am from the South, and I voted for Romney, so I am not calling out the opposition but rather people I can relate to.
Ironically, there’s a link below the Daily Mississippian story on the Obama protest to a piece about Ole Miss students electing their first African-American homecoming queen.
When her selection was announced, Pearson told the crowd that the credit ought to go to the students who elected her. “Don’t applaud me. Applaud them. Look at how progressive they are,” she said. (Here is a link to a good CNN story by my former AJC colleague Moni Basu.)
I hope the students last night did not undo that progress.
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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93 comments Add your comment
Lexi
November 7th, 2012
2:55 pm
indigo
November 7th, 2012
2:25 pm
“I will bet even money that most of the students graduated from Christian Academy Schools and believe in creationism.”
Rather bigoted bet. Seventy percent of those enrolled at the University of Mississippi are graduates of public schools. Highly likely both sides learned that behavior there. And, as the saying goes, it takes two to tango.
Maureen: it’s simply wrong to suggest that the story would be reported if the angle was black students rioting in response to an Obama loss. In those cases, as in 99% of crime reports appearing in the main stream media, the race of the perpetrators is never reported, because the MSM in its infinite wisdom believes we lessers can’t properly process facts about race that reflect badly on the favored groups.
Matt
November 7th, 2012
2:58 pm
@Phil, you write:
“It only makes news because it’s Ole Miss and Mississippi has a history of racism. Had oh say…Spelman or Florida A&M set fires to Romney signs and yelled death threats I doubt you would even post it.”
Here’s the key, one that Maureen was attempting to make as well: students from Spelman and Florida A&M, DID NOT in fact set fires or yell death threats pertaining to either candidate; students at Ole Miss did. I have no doubt that, in response, you will offer a rebuttal that stretches credulity; I have no illusions about convincing you. I do think the rest of the readers here might appreciate the reminder, though:
You can’t report on an event that hasn’t happened.
Phil from Athens
November 7th, 2012
2:59 pm
“or else I go into diabetic shock. ”
Oh please, oh please, oh please, go into diabetic shock!!!!!
Michele
November 7th, 2012
2:59 pm
Don’t forget. We are talking about Mississippi! What else can you expect from a group of Mississippi freshmen? Racism is live and well in this state, and it is embedded in the parents of these students. As they become more and more exposed to the real world of diversity, these students will learn the true facts about the evils of racism, sexism, religious intolerance, and freedom of expression. All college students go through the same transformation. The problem rests in their mentors, not their unrefined brains.
The Truth Hurts (for about four years, and then you do it all over again)
November 7th, 2012
3:00 pm
This story should not have been reported. It’s too sensitive. It hurt Phil’s feewings.
Maureen, next time you report on bad behavior by inbred white bigots, please be sure to include conjecture about what black students would have done if their preferred candidate had lost.
That way it would be fair and balanced. You know, like Fox News . . .
Phil from Athens
November 7th, 2012
3:01 pm
“You can’t report on an event that hasn’t happened.”
Nope, but it’s interesting that Maureen ignored the story on Reeeeeeeeeeev Lowry stating that all white people are going to hell after she posted a column on the Reeeeeeeeeev Lowry making statements against charter schools.
Phil from Athens
November 7th, 2012
3:03 pm
“This story should not have been reported. It’s too sensitive. It hurt Phil’s feewings.”
No not really, ma’am. I’m just here to point out the hypocrisy of Maureen.
Thanks for playing.
Heika
November 7th, 2012
3:03 pm
But Phil, you keep posting, so…
Phil from Athens
November 7th, 2012
3:04 pm
But Heika, so do you, so…
guest
November 7th, 2012
3:05 pm
Michele,
Your stupidity is amazing. From one side of your mouth you preach the evils of racism, sexism, etc and the problem is with mentors. From the other side of your mouth you belittle people from Mississippi and say that they are racists. How is that any different from me saying all the students from Morehouse, for example, are racists?
Heika
November 7th, 2012
3:05 pm
But how can I go into diabetic shock if you’re still feeding my need for you posts? I need you, Phil! Please don’t go.
Logical Dad
November 7th, 2012
3:08 pm
I would SO watch a reality show that just followed Phil around all day. “Here Comes Honkey Boo Boo” for a title?
Chuck Shick
November 7th, 2012
3:12 pm
I think Phil from Athens needs a hug. Relax dude, everything is going to be OK!
The Truth Hurts (for about four years, and then you do it all over again)
November 7th, 2012
3:13 pm
. . . Here Comes Honkey Boo Boo.
Logical Dad for the win!
Phil from Athens
November 7th, 2012
3:13 pm
I would SO watch a reality show that that just followed Dud around all day.
“Black Panther Buddies”
“Life in the trailer park”
“Woman on welfare”
“Dud married a farm animal”
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 7th, 2012
3:15 pm
@Logical Dad
Other than acting like a bigot, do you have anything “logical” to add to the conversation or are you just here to act like a ten year old baby mama?
Bob
November 7th, 2012
3:19 pm
Better than how the thugs in Baltimore acted when 8 blacks jumped one white guy and beat him so bad he is in a coma. But lets ignore that and worry about somebody saying bad words.
Pride and Joy
November 7th, 2012
3:20 pm
Statick — 12%?
Then you obviously don’t live in Atlanta.
Phil from Athens
November 7th, 2012
3:20 pm
Bob
There are many stories like that that the media purposely ignores.
The Truth Hurts (for about four years, and then you do it all over again)
November 7th, 2012
3:23 pm
No, Bob, let’s talk about it.
Were you the white guy who got got stomped in Baltimore?
Since you brought it up, how did it make you feel.
share your feelings with the group.
It’s ok to talk about it.
The Truth Hurts (for about four years, and then you do it all over again)
November 7th, 2012
3:25 pm
Phil, remember when Logical dad made that hilarious joke about a reality show, and the joke included a funny title that he made up and then you followed it up with something extremely lame that didn’t even make sense and wasn’t remotely worth reading?
That was weird.
Logical Dad
November 7th, 2012
3:28 pm
…and my wife is not a farm animal! (But I guarantee you, if a liberal made some crack about Phil practicing animal husbandry, Fox News would be all OVER it!)
Phil from Athens
November 7th, 2012
3:32 pm
“and my wife is not a farm animal!”
Yes, yes she is. I’m so sorry you’re blind.
Pride and Joy
November 7th, 2012
3:34 pm
Frankie, you missed the point, probably deliberately.
Racism is alive and well in Mississippi by BOTH blacks and whites.
Blacks vote for blacks. Whites vote for whites.
A black homecoming queen did not signal the end to racism at Old Miss.
It is alive and it goes both ways. The important part is the BOTH WAYS part.
Beverly Hall and her thugs was allowed to run rampant over Atlanta public schools and all those innocent children because she was black. Atlanta voters are mostly black. They endured Beverly because she was black. Black leaders did not call out on the injustices poured on all those innocent kids because Beverly is black.
What’s important to understand is that racism is alive and well in both races and it effects the education our Georgia children receive.
Phil from Athens
November 7th, 2012
3:35 pm
The Truth Hurts
How many times were you raped in prison?
Please share with the group.
Ole Miss Alum
November 7th, 2012
3:36 pm
I graduated from Ole Miss and am extremely embarrassed and saddened by all of this. This is not the Ole Miss I remember and I hope these students realize the consequences of their immaturity and ignorance. It is one thing to have a voice and exercise freedom of speech, but burning and vandalizing on school property? I voted for Romney and do not support Obama, but this hatred is not going to help either. It’s just a shame that incidents like this will overshadow the positive when Ole Miss is portrayed to the public.
Kody
November 7th, 2012
3:41 pm
More facts, the fire alarm was not pulled but went off. Brown Hall, one oldest residence hall was changed back into a female residence hall (someone was either blow drying or straightening their hair). Kincannon also have upperclassmen, so ignorance comes in all sizes. Plus, people were hollering and heckling all around campus (Obama and Romney supporters). It all started with people, who decided to retaliate publicly. (Overall, I didn’t care this because I had a test the next morning.)
Hannah (Living near Ole Miss)
November 7th, 2012
3:51 pm
This is all that anyone here is talking about today. I think that it’s terrible how the ignorance of a few college kids can give Oxford a bad reputation, even though it’s really a beautiful city with nice people.
Kimberly
November 7th, 2012
3:53 pm
I am shocked to read some of these comments. Generalizing an entire state and campus as racists and southern trash is ridiculous. Many students are from highly ranked out of state high schools and their parents went to universities like UGA and Auburn. Additionally, I am sure there are genius students from all over Mississippi there as well.
Dear Sparky and Inbred Hayseeds, you attack what you are afraid of. My daughter, who is brilliant, is getting a double major and has chosen to have two jobs on campus enrich her academics was ashamed and disgusted by the small group of students who made fools of themselves. Those students made egregious errors in judgement.
Have you been to the campus? It is lovely and has many majors that other universities do not offer. I am fairly sure that students do not say “Hey, I know lets go to a university in a backwards state full of racists.” Are you kidding? You find racists all over Atlanta, in Chicago and I am sure right where you live.
Grow up, teach your children to have respect for all people and authority. And maybe you should not generalize about an entire state and it’s hard working students. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
G-dub
November 7th, 2012
3:58 pm
It’s Mississippi, what else would you expect.
Glenn
November 7th, 2012
3:59 pm
I think this falls under the few bad apples analogy . I went to visit Ole Miss to see a friend that went to school there a couple years back . I was stunned by two things . 1) How friendly Oxford was . 2) How many attractive girls that place had .
giddy
November 7th, 2012
4:06 pm
Whole story has not been told… two groups of kids were involved… one group threw firecrackers at and into the other group… both groups were talking chit back and forth… getting into each others faces (ummm… didn’t our Prez tell us that’s what we should do…)… racial slurs were hurled back and forth… then the police came before it escalated and anyone got hurt. One of the groups was black… the other white. BOTH were actvely involved. Black kids were throwing firecrackers.
All bigots (black and white — democrat and republican — conservative and liberal) can find something here to use as fodder for hate. Progessives who voted for Obama are NO less bigoted. It’s just their bigotry is whitewashed (no pun intended) and accepted by a media who has economic stake in 24/7 screaming propaganda. This presidental race was based on dividing our country. Did you really think no one noticed?
If you demonize these kids, or Ole Miss or Mississippi in general — then you need to apply those standards across the board. That includes the bigotry and discrimination that comes from the left as well as the right.
A white guy was brutally beaten by a bunch of black guys in Baltimore yesterday. This is a second major racial attack and incident since another lone white guy was beaten, filmed on You Tube and left for dead on St Patricks Day.
When you call out these kids — don’t forget to look in the mirror.
indigo
November 7th, 2012
4:09 pm
Lexi – “Seventy percent of those enrolled at The University of Mississipi are graduates of public schools”
Lexi, I’m not talking about the whole student body. I’m refering to those involved in the anti-Obama political chants.
Since my post makes this clear, you’re either trying a not so subtle deflection or not very good at reading comprehension.
Amren Community amren.com
November 7th, 2012
4:12 pm
Why is it a “real miss” when White students are frustated at being ruled by Diversity?
You should be proud of them that they undertand how dark their futures are looking. Finally, our youth are beginning to show that they realize what a lie the “Diversity is our greatest strength” has become.
Obama is the end of White privilege. Are Ole Miss students supposed to thank him for that?
You need to get schooled in the coming racial realities. You look White, so you are on the losing end…
A few bad ignorant racist apples
November 7th, 2012
4:12 pm
Yes, this is in no way a reflection of the lingering attitudes of people in an area that required interference from federal officials so that humans could have the same rights as other humans. It is merely a coincidence.
Normally the racial prejudice is more subtle and sophisticated.
Like in South Carolina.
This blatant disregard for decorum is appalling.
I just wish there were someone on here who is smart enough to bring up an incident that involved black people acting anti-socially and then relate it to this story. That would really put things in proper perspective. In other words, healing.
Will
November 7th, 2012
4:33 pm
@Kimberly
Very well Said! I live in Mississippi. People say your past defines you, but Im not racist. So how is it those of you on here who are ignorant enough to believe that this was not a riot by both Romney and Obama supporters (even though it has been reported that both parties were involved) are trying to lump an entire state in with the actions of some. I refuse to let your opinion of events in which very few of you even witnessed define who I am as a person merely because I live in this state. This was unfortunate and embarassing to the school, and should never have happened. But it does not affect any of you who are bashing our state. Im not going to play the what if game because I know how you would feel. The fact that any of you who dont live here would bash a state based on its past and yes lingering racism (by both BLACKS AND WHITES) shows how ignorant you really are. Im ashamed for the students who carried out these actions, I ashamed of the racism that is still live in ALL STATES, But I am PROUD of my MISSISSIPPI and my southern heritage just as you are of whatever yours may be. No need to respond in any way because Im positive the ignorance will only continue in your pethetic posts.
David
November 7th, 2012
4:38 pm
The biggest loser is you, Phil from Athens. You’ve been on this comment thread for over an hour.
Brandt Hardin
November 7th, 2012
5:11 pm
The racism of yesteryear has come full circle in our county. The entire world embraced our choice of a black President four years ago and most nations still support him. The fringe elements of bigotry have crept through into the mainstream once again with conservative mouthpieces planting the seeds of hate. The only doubt lies here at home rooting from bigotry. Watch the white hands paint Obama in Blackface at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2012/10/bamboozling-obama.html
Lexi
November 7th, 2012
5:30 pm
Indigoo:
Since there is nothing in the column that indicates that the white folks you attack were either graduates of “christian academies” or believers in creationism (speaking of a “deflection”) I’d say I’m not the one with reading comprehension challenges. Also bet I’m not the one who was admitted to an institution of higher learning under a special track. Fact is, your statement is bigoted.
Phil from Athens
November 7th, 2012
5:43 pm
David must be under the false impression that I care what she thinks.
Bob
November 7th, 2012
5:51 pm
Brandt, many nations did endorse Obama, but is the endorsement of the likes of Chavez and Putin a good thing ?
UM Student
November 7th, 2012
5:57 pm
I am a junior at the University of Mississippi and I was completely disgusted when I heard the news of the “riot”. I am very thankful for our president and I would not be able to attend such a beautiful school if it weren’t for financial aid and help from our supportive government. I have never been big into politics but this morning changed my life. Although there are small-minded immature students at my school, I would like others to know there are numerous of us who are thankful and appreciative of everything given to us.
Ole Miss chancellor on Obama protest: “Very immature and uncivil approach” to election results | Get Schooled
November 7th, 2012
7:41 pm
[...] is the official statement from the University of Mississippi Chancellor Dan Jones on the reaction last night of some Ole Miss students to President Obama’s victory over Gov. Mitt Romney. University police were notified by students shortly before midnight Tuesday [...]