Administrators at the University of North Alabama (UNA) are considering changing the long-standing name of its marching band after questions were raised this semester about its appropriateness, given the name’s link to the Confederacy.
Many UNA alumni and students say the band’s name, “Pride of Dixie,” is offensive and racist because of its historical ties to the pro-slavery South during the Civil War-era.
Others reject that view, arguing that the term “Dixie” is no more than a historical marker for the South and not a symbol of hatred.
“I’m very knowledgeable about what that word means and I know how hateful it can be,” said Brenita Softley, a UNA senior who is majoring in history. “It’s already hard enough being Black and going to a TWI [Traditionally White institution] but when that’s the name of your band, that makes it 10 times worse.”
After UNA’s Sept. 8 football game against Alabama A&M University—a historically Black college and university (HBCU) the university responded to the growing criticism by forming a 20-member advisory panel comprised of alumni, students, staff, faculty and even local high school band directors who once attended the university.
That panel met for the first time last Wednesday and was given eight weeks to complete a study and present a proposal about the name to the school’s leadership.
In an interview with Diverse, Dr. Ross C. Alexander, Vice President for academic affairs and Provost said that an administrative decision was made to not use the, “Pride of Dixie,” or its acronym, “POD” at last month’s football game out of respect for Alabama A&M’s mission and history as a HBCU, adding that no one at A&M asked them to omit using the name.
