Baylor University in Waco, Texas, apologized Monday after placing a “sensitive content” warning on a display set up by a conservative student group commemorating the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The school’s Young Conservatives of Texas chapter continued its annual tradition of displaying 2,977 small American flags along the campus’ Fountain Mall to represent each victim on Friday. The group uploaded a video showing a sign that had been placed by the school in one section of their display that read, “Please be advised: Sensitive content.”
“Displaying the American Flag to memorialize those who tragically perished in the 9/11 attacks is now considered ‘Sensitive Content,’ ” the group tweeted. “Honoring those who died and first responders isn’t ‘Sensitive,’ it’s ‘American.’ “
Displaying the American Flag to memorialize those who tragically perished in the 9/11 attacks is now considered “Sensitive Content”. Honoring those who died and first responders isn’t “Sensitive”, it’s “American”. pic.twitter.com/0DHmY7h2sJ
— Baylor YCT (@BaylorYCT) September 11, 2020
A Baylor University spokeswoman told Campus Reform that the university recently instituted a policy that requires labels on all temporary on-campus displays “that may evoke an emotional reaction,” but that the execution of the process in this case “was very poor.”
Spokeswoman Lori Fogleman apologized to the Young Conservatives of Texas for the confusion and praised their display as “moving,” Campus Reform reported.
“Baylor University fully supports the 9/11 display of American flags depicting the thousands of lives lost as a result of the attacks that took place 19 years ago,” Ms. Fogleman said in a statement.
“Out of reverence for the exhibit of flags and in knowing that its moving symbolism could evoke a wide range of emotions, signage was placed near the display notifying those who passed by of its potential impact,” she continued. “This is a standard part of our process regarding outdoor displays which we implemented last year based on feedback from our campus community. We regret that the signage we used has taken away from the intent of the display and apologize for any misunderstanding this may have caused.”
