What was once a live tailgating space on campus is now behind fences. The closing of Unity Field left many questioning LSU and its inclusion on campus.
Unity Field, a community tailgating space, especially for people of color, has now been left empty after our homecoming game, due to safety reasons.
After reported shootings occurred near LSU campus during the homecoming matchup against South Carolina, Interim President Matt Lee issued an order to close down Unity Field.
However, this order upset a lot of students, who feel as though this closure was racially motivated. The shootings occurred on Dalrymple Drive and Highland Road, about half a mile away from Unity Field.
“And it was closer to the Parade Grounds than Unity Field. But, they made no statement, they said nothing. And I think the silence kind of drove me more to make a statement, especially because Instagram is our generation’s first go-to for what we are looking at. And LSU themselves said nothing,” said Brooklyn Thornton, a junior at LSU.
Thornton was one of the first to post a statement regarding Unity Field on her Instagram. She spoke on the significance of this place to Black culture at LSU.
“Like if you go and you look, each bench on the field represents a Greek organization. And it’s like, ‘this means something to somebody’ so why are you going to try to take this away and not protect it,” said Thornton.
The Parade Grounds on campus is home to the Interfraternity Council’s tailgates while Unity Field is where the National Panhellenic Council hosts their tailgates.
LSU’s Black Student Union, one of the largest organizations on campus, also published a statement, sharing their disappointment in LSU faculty.
“This is a place where we can freely express ourselves without being judged. And, now that this place is closed, it kinda makes us feel like, well if we can’t tailgate here, our voices aren’t being appreciated during the decision making process, then how does it come to turn whenever it’s time for us to speak on other topics that we have concerns with,” said Anaya Atkins, president of Black Student Union at LSU.
Students took it upon themselves to post and reminisce their time spent on Unity Field.
“This large space here is where the Black Student Union will host their annual Family Weekend Tailgate,” said Atkins, “Just imagine a big white tent stretching this way. We’ll have lots of food, family, fun, music and treats.”
“LSU went the completely wrong way. Y’all are supposed to care and try to protect these spaces and just completely dismissing it, throwing it away, taking it away and trying to keep it that way is just — I just, I feel like something needs to be said,” said Thornton.
With these public opinions, emphasis on safety, and the new LSU presidential election, questions remain about whether Unity Field will reopen soon, and if so, what new precautions will follow.
Unity Field represents community and culture on campus. Students hope that these leadership changes will bring unity back to LSU.
