Post by Bornthrilla on Sept 18, 2004 14:16:44 GMT -5
DSU president: Anthem remark misunderstood
Accusations fly on Web site
By VICTOR GRETO
The News Journal
09/18/2004
DOVER -- Delaware State University's president told an assistant at a recent pep rally that the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing," commonly known as the "Negro National Anthem," should never be substituted for the "Star-Spangled Banner" at a public event.
Some students in the band, however, said they were told that Allen Sessoms had banned the song from ever being played in public, setting off a spate of angry e-mails on a marching band Web site.
"The president of DSU decided for 'diversity' reasons that 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' must no longer be played by the DSU band," said one message on the site, www. the5thquarter.com. "We are seriously trying to fight this, because this song is just as important to our heritage as the 'Star-Spangled Banner' or the alma mater."
But that is not what happened, said university spokesman Carlos Holmes.
"Dr. Sessoms took exception that the 'Star-Spangled Banner' wasn't there" on the pep rally agenda, Holmes said. "He didn't ban it. He just suggested it should not be a substitute."
A student reporter at the school said Sessoms told him that he did "not think it was appropriate to be played at public events when you're trying to maintain an open environment at campus."
Some people may feel uncomfortable hearing the song, reporter Steven DeShields said the president told him.
An exasperated Sessoms said he mentioned to his executive assistant at the pep rally only that nothing should ever replace the national anthem.
"I mentioned it to my assistant in passing," Sessoms said. "That's all I ever said to anyone. If people can't understand English, fine."
Sessoms, however, pressed the point that no song would be substituted for the "Star-Spangled Banner."
"This is America," he said. "Everyone's American, and there's only one national anthem. I don't care whatever they do with the other songs."
The anger of many students on the Web site and in interviews centered on the changes instituted by Sessoms in the past year and the meaning of the legacy of a historically black university.
Darnita Smith, who plays alto saxophone in the band, was upset by the controversy.
"He wants to adopt more diversity, wants us to be able to compete on a higher level, but to erase the heritage of a historically black university is not good," she said.
Clay Smith, president of the university board of trustees, said he talked to Sessoms about the matter and that it's based on a misunderstanding of what Sessoms said.
"They obviously misinterpreted it. We weren't banning people from playing whatever tune they want," he said. "The reality of it is you can't substitute anything for the national anthem."
Contact Victor Greto at 324-2832 or vgreto@delawareonline.com.
Accusations fly on Web site
By VICTOR GRETO
The News Journal
09/18/2004
DOVER -- Delaware State University's president told an assistant at a recent pep rally that the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing," commonly known as the "Negro National Anthem," should never be substituted for the "Star-Spangled Banner" at a public event.
Some students in the band, however, said they were told that Allen Sessoms had banned the song from ever being played in public, setting off a spate of angry e-mails on a marching band Web site.
"The president of DSU decided for 'diversity' reasons that 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' must no longer be played by the DSU band," said one message on the site, www. the5thquarter.com. "We are seriously trying to fight this, because this song is just as important to our heritage as the 'Star-Spangled Banner' or the alma mater."
But that is not what happened, said university spokesman Carlos Holmes.
"Dr. Sessoms took exception that the 'Star-Spangled Banner' wasn't there" on the pep rally agenda, Holmes said. "He didn't ban it. He just suggested it should not be a substitute."
A student reporter at the school said Sessoms told him that he did "not think it was appropriate to be played at public events when you're trying to maintain an open environment at campus."
Some people may feel uncomfortable hearing the song, reporter Steven DeShields said the president told him.
An exasperated Sessoms said he mentioned to his executive assistant at the pep rally only that nothing should ever replace the national anthem.
"I mentioned it to my assistant in passing," Sessoms said. "That's all I ever said to anyone. If people can't understand English, fine."
Sessoms, however, pressed the point that no song would be substituted for the "Star-Spangled Banner."
"This is America," he said. "Everyone's American, and there's only one national anthem. I don't care whatever they do with the other songs."
The anger of many students on the Web site and in interviews centered on the changes instituted by Sessoms in the past year and the meaning of the legacy of a historically black university.
Darnita Smith, who plays alto saxophone in the band, was upset by the controversy.
"He wants to adopt more diversity, wants us to be able to compete on a higher level, but to erase the heritage of a historically black university is not good," she said.
Clay Smith, president of the university board of trustees, said he talked to Sessoms about the matter and that it's based on a misunderstanding of what Sessoms said.
"They obviously misinterpreted it. We weren't banning people from playing whatever tune they want," he said. "The reality of it is you can't substitute anything for the national anthem."
Contact Victor Greto at 324-2832 or vgreto@delawareonline.com.