The NAACP's Texas chapter and five anonymous University of Texas students have filed a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Education Department's Office of Civil Rights saying the school's continued use of "The Eyes of Texas" as its alma mater song creates a "hostile environment" for Black students.
Kate McGee of the Texas Tribune reported Tuesday the complaint, which was filed Friday, states the song carries a "racially offensive origin, context and meaning."
The filing argues Texas has violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by failing to address racial harassment complaints related to the song and are failing to provide the 14th Amendment right of equal protection by having those who disagree with the song perform in a separate marching band, per McGee.