University draws flak for using ‘racist’ hashtag

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Social media was in uproar on June 6, 2020 after the University of San Agustin uploaded an image on its official Facebook page, using the controversial hashtag #AllLivesMatter, which counters the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests against race-based violence in the United States.

In a now-deleted post, the caption read, “Agustinian. No other labels,” together with the hashtag #AllLivesMatter.

Many of the University’s students and alumni, as well as those from outside the school, were quick to denounce the post through comments and captions in post shares, saying that the use of the hashtag was “insensitive”, “tasteless”, and “upsetting”, with some students attaching links to information pages on BLM.

The post was edited with the hashtag replaced by the University’s signature “#USAKita” around two hours after posting the image.

In a comment on the first post, the University responded to the criticisms being aired against the use of the hashtag, as well as requests for apologies from students who felt affected.

“By posting #AllLivesMatter, it means what the words really mean: ALL. LIVES. MATTER. We are sorry if you think all racists can use this. Here, we are using this because we don’t do double meanings here. If you think this is wrong, then, let’s redefine this hashtag. In the spirit of UNITAS, let us no longer make these words taboo! Despite what color, race, or gender you have, your life matters! This is why #AllLivesMatter. Free yourself from that box of nomenclature, and see the words for what they really are. Defy negativity, and be a game-changer! That’s what we are, Agustinians,” the comment read.

With the continued requests for accountability and apologies, the page deleted all comments, and eventually deleted the post a few minutes later.

The controversial hashtag has been used by known white supremacists and racist persons in Western countries to counter the BLM protests.

 

 

REPOSTED

The page then reposted the photo right after deleting the original despite students continuing to call for a statement and an apology.

In its new caption, the post then read, “The use of the hashtag triggered a lot of you. Be it known that such a post didn’t intend to side with the group popularizing the hashtag. We thank you for bringing to our attention that such hashtag is for the use of racists. As we are not, we are taking it down.”

Daily Guardian has reached out to the University of San Agustin for further comments on its social media activity, but it has yet to respond.