However, when a basketball team like the #1 ranked University of Kentucky comes to town for a game, bringing with it ESPN's Game Day telecast, apparently all that book-learning they have in Nashville marches right out the door, and is replaced with emotions and fears for which the South is widely known: homophobia, ignorance, and shallowness.
Here is a picture of the shirt that the Vanderbilt fans have decided is best to wear for today's nationally televised game:
I understand there are tons of other shirts that say lots of things about rival teams. UK fans wear shirts stating Tennessee fans are ugly and only ugly girls go to Duke. Taunting the enemy is part of the fun of sports. I get it, however, calling someone ugly is an actual insult. What is not acceptable is using the term "gay" as an insult. By using that word, you are saying that being gay is wrong and bad and shameful. That is not right.
Vanderbilt, part of the enlightened academic elite? I hardly think so.
Although the t-shirt is offensive (and even more offensive for not being clever), I don't think it's appropriate to blame Vanderbilt University for it. From what I can tell, the t-shirt was made available through cafepress.com and not an official merchandiser for the university. At this point, it is unclear if the t-shirt was created by a Vandy student. Additionally, Vandy officials have condemned the shirt (http://www.wsmv.com/story/16912063/vanderbilt-officials-discuss-controversial-shirts).
ReplyDeleteI received an email and a tweet from two separate Vanderbilt officials who said the the school had nothing to do with the t-shirts. University officials have asked fans not to wear them. If fans show up with the shirt on they will be asked to change. If they refuse, they will be asked to leave. Way to do the right thing, Vandy!
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