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Former Rebel Receiver Believes Racists Are the Real Minority at Ole Miss
Shay Hodge during his record-breaking career at Ole Miss.
Following the defacement of the James Meredith statue on campus Sunday, record-setting former Ole Miss wide receiver Shay Hodge was among many Ole Miss students, alumni, administration and fans who took to the internet to voice their opinions.
Most expressed outrage at the lack of respect shown for the statue erected as a tribute to James Meredith, the first black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi. Ole Miss critics joined the usual media chorus, taking advantage of the incident to accuse the school of being racist, in spite of the great strides the university has made in overcoming its past history of racial strife.
Shay Hodge
Hodge, the former Rebel superstar, however, eloquently supported his alma mater on Facebook today. The all-time career leader in receiving yards at Ole Miss gave his perspective on the school he dearly loves.
“I have to speak on the Ole Miss incident,” he began. “Yes, racism is still alive, but I believe in my heart it’s at a minimum nowadays, because I never felt it while attending The University of Mississippi.”
Hodge also pointed out how racism can be found across all groups. “I really wish people would realize that there are two types of people in every race — there are the people who see no color, and there are the people who hate other races. There are great white people in this world and especially at Ole Miss and on the other spectrum there are great black people, too, who have good morals, see no color and treat everyone the same. But there are also ones who do not like white people or other races, in general.”
Hodge is not sure whether the suspects in the statue incident are racist or just ignorant. “The people who did the act, I’m almost certain, are young and dumb an wanted attention. They may not even be racist — but just thought they would stir up something,” he said.
The legendary receiver went on to add, “I just wish people would stop trying to put the university down.” While he expressed obvious dismay over the defacement of the statue, Hodge does not believe the actions of a couple of people are indicative of the university as a whole. “I hate that happened at my school,” he said. “But I just wish people would kill that noise about Ole Miss being racist. We’ve come too far.”
Hodge also made it clear he believes any existing racism does not reside only in one group. “There are just as many racist African-Americans as there are racist white Americans,” he said. “Trust me, I hear enough of them talk on a daily basis.”
He noted it is entirely possible the suspects are not even associated with the University of Mississippi: “I’m almost certain the people involved are not from Mississippi—just like the person involved in the supposed ‘riot’ that took place after Obama became president. That was blown out of proportion and was, if I remember correctly, just one kid from Georgia.”
Hodge believes Ole Miss’ past is unfairly being used to judge its present, adding: “If you really think about it, the racism issue is often blown up here just because of the ‘history’ of Ole Miss. I’m glad I don’t see color, but you can’t change everyone’s views.”
He closed his Facebook post by writing: “I love you Ole Miss, and this shall pass. We just have to keep pushing forward! Hotty Toddy!”
When HottyToddy.com asked the Rebel great why he was motivated to address the situation, Hodge quickly replied: “I hate reading about racism like it only exists at Ole Miss and only towards African Americans.”
He then added, “It’s in every race, and I just wanted to put this out there to perhaps enlighten people on it. I am just tired of everyone trying to put Ole Miss down, period. It’s a great school. True, you can’t change everybody, but I believe the majority of people are not racist — only a select few.”
Evelyn Van Pelt is a HottyToddy.com sports writer and mother of an Ole Miss graduate who played for the Rebel volleyball team.
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cozyKev
February 20, 2014 at 1:59 am
Yes, because the best way to fight racism is to pretend like race doesn’t exist. Good lord this young man is misinformed. He seems like a plant by white people; how could any self respecting black man respond to a disgusting act like this in this manner.
*puts noose on statue of African American icon* “Eh that’s okay, most of the white people are okay, stop being mean to white people at my school”
I’ve been to Ole Miss– I saw confederate flags everywhere and heard the way young white people interact with each other. It was not friendly to black people.
Racism has long been a tradition at this school and clearly ignoring like it doesn’t exist IS NOT WORKING.
olemisslaw
February 20, 2014 at 3:56 am
A “plant by white people”? That’s the most ignorant racist shit I’ve heard in a long time. People like you are only getting in the way of progress. You clearly stil see it as black vs white when in reality it should be decent people of all colors vs racists.
Oh and here’s a fun fact for you. The vast majority of our student body was born in the 90’s. Racism has never been even remotely acceptable in our lifetimes. Most of us get really pissed off when some dumbass does or says something racist because people like you judge all of us based on their actions (which is something that racists do).
NB81
February 21, 2014 at 11:53 am
Good Lord, you’ve broken the internet with the least self-aware post ever made. How patronizing. Yes, how dare Shay Hodge have his own opinion and not follow the group-think that you believe is best for him. Shay makes a great point. There are racists in every state and at every institution. If you walk around with a chip on your shoulder believing every white person is a racist, that’s a pretty good indication that you have your own personal problems with race. Get an education and get a clue.
Lowe
February 21, 2014 at 5:03 pm
Of course an athlete would say this. They’re treated differently than other minority students at the University.
J R
February 20, 2017 at 6:15 am
There is no substitute for intelligence. Shay Hodges……you excel in that department.
J R
February 20, 2017 at 6:30 am
Lowe, while you are correct that athletes are pampered by the schools, that doesn’t have one thing to do with those who still HATE. You should open your mind and read what Shay said……..OBJECTIVELY. There are whites who hate, there are blacks who hate…….but mostly there are people who do not judge by color of skin. It’s just a truth that we have to accept. Getting pampered by a university because you are a good athlete goes both ways……the white athletes are treated in a special way also. You reckon Eli Manning was treated better at Ole Miss than the average kid from Tupelo? Damned right he was. That’s just the way it is with athletes. Listen to Shay. He has a message for us ALL.