Teh One Who Knocks
11-07-2011, 11:29 PM
Adapted for Web by Tracy DeLatte | MyFOX Dallas-Ft Worth
FORT WORTH, Texas - A Texas Christian University student government candidate recently was asked to make some changes to his campaign signs after someone pointed out that his nickname had some negative racial connotations.
Graham McMillan is running for Student Government Association’s vice president of external affairs. But his self-given nickname is already teaching him some hard political lessons.
“Hi my name is Graham, like the cracker,” he said.
That’s how McMillan has been introducing himself since high school. It’s even how his friends know him.
“And he was like, ‘I’m Graham, like the cracker, McMillan.’ And he did it so people would remember his name. That’s how I remember him,” said Taylor Slack.
After McMillan put the catchy addition to his name on his campaign posters he got a call from his student advisor.
“That it could be deemed derogatory and had been derogatory. And, I just taped it over,” he said. “TCU provided me with some blue tape so I could cover it up, which was very nice. And, I ran out so I thought why not spice this up a little bit and make it a little more pop. I got some yellow tape in there and found some flames and decided to put that on there too.”
Other students on campus said they understand the word cracker can sometimes have negative racial connotations, but in this case it doesn't seem harmful.
“I thought since his first name was Graham it really wasn’t a problem, you know,” said Emma Altgelt.
Some of the signs no longer have tape on them. McMillan said that’s because some students have told him they’ve taken it upon themselves to remove it.
He said he’ll likely continue using his favorite catch phrase for introductions with friends.
“Hi. I’m Graham, like the cracker. It’s nice to meet you. I think you won’t forget that, right? And that’s why I’ve always used it. When it’s put on a sign and when it’s used on a business card and different things like that, I could see where an individual would talk offense to that,” he said.
Elections are next Tuesday. McMillan is running unopposed.
FORT WORTH, Texas - A Texas Christian University student government candidate recently was asked to make some changes to his campaign signs after someone pointed out that his nickname had some negative racial connotations.
Graham McMillan is running for Student Government Association’s vice president of external affairs. But his self-given nickname is already teaching him some hard political lessons.
“Hi my name is Graham, like the cracker,” he said.
That’s how McMillan has been introducing himself since high school. It’s even how his friends know him.
“And he was like, ‘I’m Graham, like the cracker, McMillan.’ And he did it so people would remember his name. That’s how I remember him,” said Taylor Slack.
After McMillan put the catchy addition to his name on his campaign posters he got a call from his student advisor.
“That it could be deemed derogatory and had been derogatory. And, I just taped it over,” he said. “TCU provided me with some blue tape so I could cover it up, which was very nice. And, I ran out so I thought why not spice this up a little bit and make it a little more pop. I got some yellow tape in there and found some flames and decided to put that on there too.”
Other students on campus said they understand the word cracker can sometimes have negative racial connotations, but in this case it doesn't seem harmful.
“I thought since his first name was Graham it really wasn’t a problem, you know,” said Emma Altgelt.
Some of the signs no longer have tape on them. McMillan said that’s because some students have told him they’ve taken it upon themselves to remove it.
He said he’ll likely continue using his favorite catch phrase for introductions with friends.
“Hi. I’m Graham, like the cracker. It’s nice to meet you. I think you won’t forget that, right? And that’s why I’ve always used it. When it’s put on a sign and when it’s used on a business card and different things like that, I could see where an individual would talk offense to that,” he said.
Elections are next Tuesday. McMillan is running unopposed.