University of Virginia Library

Dixie

We hate to keep beating a dead horse, but
some horses, no matter how long you beat
them, never seem to die. Such is the case with
the playing of "Dixie" at University sports
events and at other University function.

The fight over "Dixie" is almost two years
old. A number of students, who believed the
song to be offensive because of its association
with the "Cause," brought the matter before
the Student Council, who consequently asked
the University radio station to stop signing-off
with "Dixie" at night, and asked the Pep
Band to stop playing "Dixie" at sporting
events.

Council's request was complied with, but
the ensuing debate was vicious. Supporters of
"Dixie" claimed that the song did not
symbolize racism, and that the banning of it
was an infringement upon individual rights.
Persons opposed to "Dixie" claimed that the
University's identification with the song
would not particularly appeal to Black
students, or prospective Black students, let
alone the many northern students of the
University who never showed great
enthusiasm for it anyway.

The strains of "Dixie" have been notably
absent from Scott Stadium all season, except
when it was played by a high school band.
But several members of the Pep Band
considered reinstating it in the Band's
repertoire. At a meeting Tuesday night the
members of the Pep Band defeated the
proposal. Speaking against "Dixie" at the
meeting was D. Alan Williams, the
Vice-President for Student Affairs. Mr.
Williams explained that the playing of
"Dixie" as a fight song at sports events would
probably not inspire the performance of
Black athletes playing on University teams. It
would also probably not encourage the
cheering of Black students attending the
game. We agree with him on this point, and
we also agree that the Pep Band made a wise
decision by defeating the proposal to play
"Dixie."

We don't want it to be misconstrued that
we think everyone who likes "Dixie" is a
racist. Certainly for some it represents
sectional pride and other legitimate interests.
But we don't think the University should be
identified with a song that is so strongly
associated with the Klan, Lester Maddox,
George Wallace, and other symbols of bigotry.

In the same sense we are repulsed by the
use of the American flag by hard-hats, the
D.A.R., J. Edgar Hoover, and other
reactionaries who disguise repression in
patriotism, and thereby profane a symbol
which should be identified with freedom.

Although we are against "Dixie," we do
not suggest that it be replaced by "The Battle
Hymn of the Republic," even if it does have a
catchy tune.