Students at the University of North Texas took down an art exhibit after state lawmakers urged university leadership to remove it, calling it “antisemitic propaganda.”
State Rep. Mitch Little (R–Lewisville) sent the letter last week, and was joined by Republican State Reps. Jared Patterson (Frisco), Richard Hayes (Hickory Creek), Andy Hopper (Decatur), and Ben Bumgarner (Flower Mound).
The letter inquired about an art exhibition entitled “Perceptions: Observations & Reflections of the Western Muslim,” which depicted the state of Israel in blood with the words “our blood is on your hands.”
One canvas read “FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA,” and a bloodied missile had both five and six-pointed stars painted on its side. The six-pointed stars refer to the Star of David. The art exhibit was held at UNT’s Union Gallery and began on February 24.
After the letter was sent, the students who created the display decided to take a section down on March 4—two days before the exhibit was set to close.
Student art exhibits must receive approval by a committee of faculty, staff, and students at the College of Visual Arts and Design before being shown in the student union.
On Instagram, the students posted that the art sought to “explore our perceptions in a time where the Muslim identity is being threatened across the globe.”
Also in the letter to UNT leadership, Little inquired about a lecture scheduled to be held on April 3 entitled “Palestinian Children and the Politics of Genocide.” He asked about prior comments by the speaker, Dr. Nancy Stockdale, to a news publication “decrying Israel’s ‘disproportionate response’ to the barbaric attacks on October 7, 2023.”
“When will your University wake up, stand up, and address the reality of this antisemitic rhetoric and the people promoting it?” Little asked. “While we understand it is the mission of the University of North Texas to keep students informed of geopolitical issues and create an environment where speech can thrive, you surely appreciate that this framing is not only inflammatory, but also factually false with regard to the allegation of genocide.”
Little then requested the university remove the art exhibit and cancel Dr. Stockdale’s presentation, citing the university’s need to comply with Gov. Abbott’s Executive Order No. GA-44.
The governor’s order directed all Texas higher education institutions to “review and update their free speech policies to address the sharp rise in antisemitic speech and acts on university campuses and establish appropriate punishments.”
“While it is important to preserve and encourage free speech on campus, I hope you will join us in seeking a more proper and honest framing of these issues in an academic environment subject to state oversight, such as this one,” Little wrote on X.
Stockdale’s lecture is still set to occur despite lawmakers’ calls for its cancelation. UNT’s website shows the event will be co-sponsored by the history department and involve dessert and beverages after the lecture.
UNT did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s request for comment before publication.
