Nov 8, 2011
When Graham McMillan decided to run for a student government office at Texas Christian University, he had no idea that he would land in trouble – all because of his campaign slogan – “Graham Cracker.”
A university official at the home of the Horned Frogs told the 20-year-old sophomore that his campaign signs were offensive and unless the offending word was blocked – the signs would have to come down.
“My advisor contacted me and informed me that it might be considered derogatory,” the political science major told Fox News. “I certainly didn’t mean it to be derogatory, but I didn’t want to offend anybody who may perceive it as such.”
University officials released a statement to Fox confirming that the offensive word is ‘cracker.’
“She recommended that he either remove the signs or cover the word ‘cracker’ with tape and he opted to cover the word,” a university spokesperson told Fox.
TCU Calls Graham Cracker Signs Offensive: MyFoxDFW.com
‘Cracker’ is sometimes used as a pejorative term for white people.
“A student affairs staff member used this as a teaching moment to help Graham understand that use of the word ‘cracker’ with his name could be perceived as derogatory by some,” the university spokesperson said.
So who might be offended by the “Graham Cracker” campaign signs?
The university didn’t say and McMillan had no idea.
“I’ve never been around that word being used offensively,” said McMillan, who happens to be white.
For as long as he can remember McMillan would introduce himself using the term.
“I’d say, ‘Hi. My name’s Graham – like the cracker,’” he told Fox News. “So that’s why I decided to use it as my campaign slogan.”
McMillan is running for the Student Government Association’s vice president of external affairs.
“I’m running unopposed which is probably the funniest thing about this ordeal,” he said. “It’s pretty crazy but any publicity is good publicity.”
His friends suggested he come up with a new slogan using variations on Graham – such as “kilo-gram,” “ana-gram,” “gram like grandma,” and his personal favorite – “Teddy Gram.”
“It’s been a riot,” he said.
“As for the issue of political correctness – McMillan said it just comes with the territory.
“Being politically correct is just part of the deal,” he said.
Or maybe not.
As Texas Christian University students head to the polls, McMillan offered one word of advice:
“Vote Graham like the cracker.”
He should have printed the cover sticker to read…"Like the Cracker". Not quite Simile but close enough.
I'd have politely refused to change the slogan. We're way to PC in this country these days. I would not have taken it off.
Isaiah 5:20
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
WE HAVE ARRIVED!
We have an faculty person speaking on behalf of an anonymous person who is potentially offended but apparently unable or without the courage actually to verbalize their offense. My guess – it was the idiot faculty person who didn't have the courage to speak for him/herself, so they created a hypothetical person who was as narrow-minded as he/she was.
It just Crackers me up!
This is stupid who is takes this offensively! Political Correctness is Destroying this Country! We need Common Sense people!
This is stupid who is takes this offensively! Political Correctness is Destroying this Country! We need Common Sense people!
Sick Sick Sick Sick. I believe I would have withdrawn my name from consideration for a teaching Moment to this Retardo School. This is what people are learning? What a waste of funds.
Incredibly sad, but damn true! The idiots have truly won! Political correctness run amok to the extreme!
He should cover the word with a picture of a graham cracker just to remind everyone who a bunch of morons are running that school. hahaha Let's all start using the term "TCU" as a perjorative against some ethnic group until it becomes part of the lexicon, and then see how offended these jackasses are over a hijacked phrase. lol
So is California going to outlaw the "gold fish" crackers because they are offensive to the protected species?
It's a shame that rather than helping people get past perceived insults, they used this to 'help' yet another young person jump on the word elimination bandwagon.
I AM FLORIDA BORN, SO I AM A FLORIDA CRACKER BY BIRTH AND I AM OFFENDED THAT ANY BUTTHOLE WOULD CONSIDER THE TERM OFFENSIVE. I hope he doesn't get SPOOKED at my being so PC.
This is once again is carrying political correctness way too far! I am from the south, and my family has a long history in our state and I often heard my father refer to himself as a "Florida Cracker". Shame on Texas Christian for their silliness.
So much for free speach on university campuses!
This is the height of stupidity… someone at the school must not have anything to do but look such idiotic things! The school should be embarrassed, and they need to know a lot of people think they look pretty silly!
You'e got to be kidding me? "Cracker" is offensive? Since when? Oh wait! I know. It became offensive because maybe the guy whose name is Graham might have been called that as a nickname since he was a child, but forget that possibility he might be white & some people use the term "cracker" as a derogatory term for white people. I'm white…I have been all my life. And personally, I can think of a lot of things I've been called in the course of my 41 years of life that disturb me more than "cracker". Graham…you should not have caved in. TCU…you just lost LOADS of respect.
Good God almighty! Now I've heard/read it all. This current climate of "PC" is like nothing I have witnessed in my 67 years and 4 months on this earth and in what used to be my beloved country. Where, if at all, will it end?
Sounds more like California than Texas?
"Cracker’ is sometimes used as a pejorative term for white people." LOL reaallly you have to inform the ready of this? CR ACKER oooh no and White B READ oh gosh please don't refer to us as…………*gasp* food products.
This is what happens when we leave the hippies into our school system they have been doing this for years now the new generation believe this political correctness bull and the next generation will be even worse they believe they are entitled to everything without earning it.
the person it would be most offensive to is using it AS HIS SLOGAN!
he's the one who people would be calling "cracker" in a mean way anyway.. don't you think he's caught some flak for that one over the years?
Com'on Son!
America is a very sick country and will fall faster than it rose.
One way to handle the complaints is to either take down the signs or tape over the word cracker………then start passing out Graham Crackers to students in the hallways and lunch room cafeteria. Let them try to claim that a food product is derogatory!
Growing up in Florida, we called ourselves Florida Crackers. Held annual Cracker Day festivals with horse and riders barrel racing. quarter horse racing, roping and cutting calves competition. I consider the university's position offensive to the State of Florida.
Seems to me this might be the work of a group of gutless idiot lawyers advising a team of spineless academic administrators to be very frightened of the PC boogie man or boogie woman or boogie unisex creature.
The boogie unisex creature– gotta love it!
))
PC going stupid again.
Oh dear Lord! With our last name, my son the Marine has been called Cracker and I have been called Daddy Cracker for years! And I am going to change that to "Gram" Cracker(as in Grandpa) when he has children. So I am personally offended by these actions!
omg is this new?? in my 3 years in the family i have know you as this..and now someone is ????? bitchin???
Really? I am hurt, now I will sue the people who use the work Cracker on anything….OK, Uncle Cracker its time to change your name too…or I will sue and make millions….were is the NAACP? Where is Rev. Jackson? I am so hurt someone would use the word Cracker……I am going to my room…..
Its only words people…what happened to my rights to use any word I want tO?
Problem one…the kid states he's never heard the term "cracker" used as a pejorative. No one is that sheltered. Two, if he can use cracker in quotations, I can use nlgger in quotations, and pretend that I did not know it was a pejorative word to describe blacks. Everyone okay with that? I didn't think so.
To me…they're both just words, I find neither offensive, but let's stop with the hypocritical double standard.
Give me a break! Does anyone have a sense of humor? If you can't laugh at yourself, it's a sad thing!
So do do the people who make graham crackers need to change there name. Come on People lets stop being pc.
I'm glad Graham's have so much fun with political correctness. For those of us in the real world however, it not some joke. It's the difference between being heard and not being heard, the difference between being represented and not represented, the difference between being tolerated and being vilified and targeted, getting a job and not getting one…shall I continue? Graham's got some growing up to do if he thinks political correctness is just some word game you play with college administration to get attention. And it goes almost without saying that TCU's obviously racist double standard in its application of political correctness is unacceptable and should not be tolerated.
I guess we won't be able to buy anymore Uncle Cracker cds it might offend someone if they hear it playing too loud!