Tower Crosses Are Gone, but Campus Clash Lives On
Last fall, Sissy Bradford, an adjunct instructor who taught criminology at Texas A&M University—San Antonio, questioned why crosses were being placed near the public university’s entrance. Last month, she was informed that the university would not offer her any courses to teach in the fall semester. Bradford insists there is a connection, but university officials deny any link.
Though critics in online message boards have accused Bradford, who is Jewish, of being intolerant of Christianity, she said that is not the case. “I think I’m the only instructor these students ever had who required them to ...
Comments (63)
WendellFranklinWentz
We are in Texas where the governor wants the state to leave the union, and the Constitution is unknown and unread by leaders from the state house to the school house. More power to Professor Bradford who knows more about what the founding fathers intended for this nation than the politicians who run our universities and schools. This woman falls in line with all the national treasures. The professor is fighting intolerance when she stands for Separation of Church and State. The students who oppose her are the products of their environment at home and communities. They are the non-thinkers among many who have their thinking apparatuses paralyzed. Amen. -Wendell Franklin Wentz
Bill Eaves via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Glad she's gone now bring back the crosses !!!
Nick Galactic via Texas Tribune on Facebook
How ignorant ^
Nick Galactic via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Does NO ONE understand Seperation of Church and State? Does NO ONE remember that this country was founded by people ESCAPING religious persecution? Does anybody know anything?!?
Marilyn Wheless via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Why take down crosses in the first place? What courses did Sissy Bradford teach? Anyone know?
Tommy Ashley via Texas Tribune on Facebook
She did the right thing. It probably made her unpopular but that is what she taught. Criminal justice.
Janet Thomas
1st Amendment "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF; or abriding the freedom of speech, or of the pres; or the right of the people peaceably to asssemble, and to petition the Government for aq redress of grievances." When are these schools (K-12 & schools of higher learning) going to stop pandering to the demands of the minority who think they have the ultimate right. Obviously W. Wentz, you have not read the constitution, so the above exact quote from the Constitution is for you and any other American hating liberal who reads this article. As far as knowing about the founding fathers and what they intended and envisioned for this nation, you and Ms. Bradford know little about that either, except what is written by other American hating liberals.
Felipe Gutierrez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
@ Bill E. be careful what you ask for. You will get more then you ask for. (by that I mean: you let one in you all religions in). Just saying.
Cathy Robinson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
flinty hearts do not good teachers make.
Debbie Mason via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I find it sad that so many Americans do not understand what Separation Church and State means. Maybe one day they will. There is a reason we have it. Your ancestors were NOT allowed to have their own religions not long ago and many still do not unless they live in a Nation where they have free religion. My own ancestors in their homelands were tortured and thrown in prison and even one was tortured on a rack and then taken to the center and set on fire and burned to death because of her Protestant faith "Christian" for that religion was not the Kings religion. One set of relatives here in the USA were ran out of their home and land and told never to come back, in fact they were to be sold as slaves along with their children, but no white man would buy them 'they were white" the parents ended up on a island and starved and froze to death. And this is exactly why we have Separation Church and State. So you who do not understand these words will never ever have to have a religion NOT of your choice. So when we change Presidents or Governors YOUR religion does not change to be of theirs. Grow up and get over it, religion is not exclusive and should never be forced, and that means crosses where they do not belong. You want a cross put it in your yard. You want TRUE religious freedom then follow Separation Church and State before those who scream the loudest loose their religious freedoms. How many know at one time here in the USA you had to be the religion of the village? In some if you were not they cut off one of your ears so they knew who you were and then you were not allowed to come back to that village? If you came back they cut off your other ear. How many know in many places when the USA was first forming you had to accept their religion or you could not be a land owner? People really need to study Separation Church and State and why they added it. We all should thank our forefathers for having the sense to add Separation Church and State. America should never promote one God or one religion, this is not what America was built on. It is a nation of freedom for all and so many forgot that.
Tommy Ashley via Texas Tribune on Facebook
How would you feel about a star and cresent atop a public building erected with your taxes? I thought so..
Stephen Fallwell via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Not surprising, Just another example of the state of the Texas education system. And people whine about the 'liberal' american college system.
Nick Galactic via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Of course the religious nuts are on the cross' side. I love how Marilyn asks "Why take down crosses?" Um because it's called Separation of Church and State... Public Schools and Colleges have no business promoting any religion what so ever.... Something hard for you to understand I am sure. I love how religious people want EVERYONE to accept their bullshit but they won't accept anyone else who actually has a mind and knows better...
Stanley Moore via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I wouldn't expect any less obnoxious behavior from a college with a&m in its title. No one has the right to threaten or belittle this lady for taking an unpopular stance. Maybe she can get work at a real University somewhere, with enlightened students and administration.
Sean Wardwell via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Just a rhetorical question here (borrowed from Bill Hicks), but, if Jesus returns, does anyone think he would EVER want to see a cross again? Isn't that like going up to Jackie Kennedy with a little sniper rifle pendant? "Just thinking of Jack, dear (click-click)." Let's file that little symbol under "missing the point, badly."
Lucidity
There are two issues here: 1)Should a public institution be endorsing a particular religion? Obviously, according to the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, no. Those who think otherwise probably would not want Muslim crescents adorning the entrance to A&M-San Antonio. 2)Should a faculty member be threatened and fired for expressing an unpopular opinion? If academic freedom has any meaning, the answer to this question is also clearly no. It is not an auspicious sign that, still in its infancy, Texas A&M-San Antonio is already conforming to the culture of repression that has characterized its College Station flagship campus.
Sam Swaim
Ms. Bradford is that agendize and politisized and teaching criminology? Do we really need someone who is that biased against Crosses and Christianity, teaching the future detectives and police supervisors in law enforcement. Law enfircement with a politcal agenda is VERY dangerous to a free society!
The Crosses were on private property..... And, she was offended!
Bill Bob via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The fact that 20 other adjunct professors were let go kills her case, but Cresencio Davila's actions kind of make him look like an ass.
Anya Khan
So she wasn't going to be there in Jan, 20 other profs were canned, yet a lawyer will drag the school to court for her. What a shame.
David Spratt
While demanding crosses be removed from public view and claiming Christians of being intolerant it seems to me they are the intolerant ones. If I support Our service members am I being pro war? If I support Firefighters am I being pro fire and advocating for more fires? The so called separation of Church and State that the atheists and others claim gives them license to pursue their cause is based on a false premise. Simply recognizing a religion does not promote or attempt to establish said religion as the official religion of the land. The founders knew and recognized that ones ethical and moral values which would have basis rooted in ones religious beliefs would come in to play when making decisions in governance,,, as well they should. The clause used simply states no state religion will be established by the government , thus providing for others to practice their own beliefs with no law being made preventing them from doing so. By opposing the display of the cross they make use of the very practice the clause they quote sought to ban. The twist is that this so called separation clause is being used to suppress the expression of religion, more to the point ,,, the Christian religion. It is ironic that in many cases the fundamental values laid down by the Constitution and made law of the land are being used, twisted and perverted to dismantle the very structure of our country. Today criminals have more rights than victims, Illegal Aliens wander the streets at will and protest for their rights, Babies are not seen as having value and are simply killed for being " inconvenient." Those who oppose these activities and many more that are destructive to society at large are intolerant? If this perceived intolerance by Christians were really true ,, then those who oppose them would never have been allowed to gain a foothold in the first place. The Utopia sought already exists. It is called The United States of America. These folks remind me of the characters in Animal Farm. Be careful what you ask for ,, you might actually get it.
Mike Lackey
Ms. Bradford had her 15 minutes of fame. She made a point, was taken seriously, got the crosses removed but missed the whole perspective of the University existence and our history as San Antonians. The logo of the University pays homage to the Rose window at San Jose. The Tower in question pays homage to the missions. The crosses were an integral symbol of the design and a reference to San Antonio's history.The National Park Service has seen fit to protect our heritage of the missions by designating them a National Monument, which rightfully they should be. University professors owe it to our students to be open-minded and keeping the big picture in perspective.
Glen Hill
I often wonder if the folks who are so offended even really understand the division of church and state. The United States does not endorse any religion. If we did then why put up with so many unusual sects and beliefs. Thailand ensorses Buddhism. I would guess that to work for the government in any capacity on would have to be Buddhist. As far as I know the United States has no specific religious requirement to work for the government or serve in the Armed Forces. On top of all this the courts have acknowledged that athiesm is a religion. If any religion is being pushed down our throats it is atheism. Besides there is a rumor that the ACLU gets paid by our government for it's "pro bono" work. No wonder the ACLU is so quick to stand up and sue...
Rachel Kusama via Texas Tribune on Facebook
many of those who were flaming her, weren't students and if you notice, the University's social media sites are now actively monitored (not just because of that situation but immature students, trying to slip things by.)
I wonder why she didn't wait until Dr. Snow returned from his business trip, to speak with him (He is a very nice man, and has been a great supporter of the Psyc club and Counseling club). Now, what will happen if this really is a case of misperception?
=/
Randy Hagan
This woman cooked her own goose. Now she has to deal with it.
It's one thing to voice your objection to religious symbols on public school grounds. I agree with her position there, and imagine that probably wasn't the reason she wasn't offered a contract this fall by Texas A&M.
But when she "contacted a local reporter to help determine the financing of the tower" to quote you -- or leaked the story to the local press because she wanted to pressure to her employer to get what she wanted, if you ask me -- she committed career suicide. It's one thing to to make a personal stand on principle, and quite another to make a power play and sic the media on the folks who sign your check. Especially when, as an adjunct instructor, you are essentially serving as an at-will contractor with the university.
They didn't fire her. She never had a job there. They chose not to renew a contract with her. Her previous contract was over, and the university is under no obligation to continue it. She's delusional if she expects a break right after leaking a story and embarrassing her client in the media. Sissy may think she's a hard case standing before the campus tower in your lead photo, but as Cathy Robinson points out above, "flinty hearts do not good teachers make." Looks like her client -- not employer -- came to the same conclusion.
Welcome to the Big Leagues, Sissy. You won won a little battle, but cost yourself the Big Game because you didn't look ahead. Now you can either buck up and learn to use a gentler touch when dealing with professional conflict, or you can reject that lesson and sit sullenly in the corner. You just gave yourself the first rude lesson of business. You can't make them give you their business; they have to want to give it to you before you ever get a shot. Fanning the flames and pitching this story didn't help either. It's up to you if you want to learn from this.
Alan Trevithick
We should not lose sight of the fact that adjunct and contingent faculty, who teach most of the higher education sections in the country, are routinely treated in a cavalier fashion. Their pay is perhaps a third of what "regular" faculty make per course, they have few or no benefits, their job security is nonexistent, and they enjoy none of the guarenteed academic freedom protections of their tenured/tenure track colleagues: these latter, by the way, after 40 years of replacement by adcons are a dwindling minority as a percentage of all faculty. Sissy Bradford deserves the strongest support, from all faculty, and her case is particularly easy to support because the circumstances of the injury to her are so egregious: the other 19 adjuncts who were not rehired also deserve our support, as do all the adcons nation-wide who are bearing the burden of this unfair system. Alan Trevithick, adjunct, Westchester CC, LaGuardia CC, and Fordham, University, and board member, New Faculty Majority; the National Coalition for Adunct and Contingent Faculty.
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Rachel, their facebook cleanup didn't start until after graduation, the garbage was still up when TAMU-SA sent me my diploma and even later the invitation to enroll in their master's program.....I am glad that it is cleaned up and hope not to see any more garbage or I will not come back and they know it because I told them if things don't change, no thanks I can take my money somewhere else ;)
Dale Curry
As a Christian, I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for the rabid right wing kooks who hide behind their faith and use it like a battering ram in a pathetic attempt to overcome their lack of faith by shoving it down everyone's throat. They are sad, and should be pitied. They speak not for their faith, but for their own intolerance.
wfborges
I want to know how the tower was built with public money on private land. Who owns the tower? Who controls the use of the tower?
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Bill, I can't comment on other professors being let go but I can assure you that Mr. Davila's and others action killed my peace of mind at that institution during my last semester, Mr. Davila initiated the garbage that was posted right before the ring ceremony which encouraged a few others to follow his path, not very becoming of the student regent who was appointed by Governor Rick Perry. Needless to say after what I read just days before it left me with a bad taste in my mouth to see him walk the stage .Until graduation day you just never knew how far the haters would take it with people who opposed the crosses since nobody stopped them on the university fb and online newspaper. Nobody should be afraid or feel uncomfortable to attend class and their well deserved commencement ceremony. There were ca. 400 graduates and again I was not pleased to see this arrogant man up on stage, hugging officials, frolicking around, laughing while all others were sitting in their seats waiting for instructions during our rehearsal before the ceremony.....ca. 400 students graduated and it was not just a special day for Mr. Davila, guess what it was my special day, too!!!!! He clearly abused his power as student regent and should be ashamed of himself!
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Rachel, the facebook cleanup didn't start until after graduation, the garbage was still up when TAMU-SA sent me my diploma and even until later when I received the invitation to enroll in their master's program.....I am glad that it is cleaned up and hope not to see any more garbage. I told them that I'd like to continue my education there but will not come back until things are fixed. The ball is in their court, no? No university in their right mind likes to see their honor students go, I guess only at TAMU-SA!
wfborges
Thanks, Randy Hagan, for making the case for sheep.
While I am not certain that Ms. Bradford has a valid point, she had a right to speak and she overcame the timidity that Hagan preaches to exercise it. One of the big problems with modern American society is that we live in fear perpetuated by institutions, employers and political, economic and social leaders. To challenge conventional wisdom and the status quo is heresy punishable by economic, social and legal means.
Whatever the substance of the dispute, Ms. Bradford is not a sheep blithely following the company line -- she raises a valid concern. And she is not a victim, like so many of our fellow citizens are, trading silence for gain or the status quo. More power to her
Kaylin Richerson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I am so livid. Sissy Bradford was/is, by far, one of my favorite professors. I'm upset that I won't get to take her again and that such a great teacher with awards and great evaluations is suspiciously unable to teach again. She is not the anti-christ. TAMU-SA is a public school and should not be affiliated with any one religion. Exactly as Tommy said, if there was any other religious symbol people would be lining up to have them removed. For the first time, I disappointed in my school. Bring Sissy back!
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I am sorry duplicate posts, I deleted one because it needed some editing but now that one appears also ;) Sorry
Rachel Kusama via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Cres wasn't student reagent when he flamed Sissy. I would've gotten the same attention he did (if I attended. I was really sick..blah) I visit campus regularly, stopping by for coffee and conversation. Anyway, the point is, he has been silent but now months later, he is more of a target than the alleged female who wrote that infamous email (in comparison what he said was obnoxious, whereas the email was hostile.)
****Note that I say alleged because I can't prove that the female was at her computer, at the time of writing the email.
Kirsten Verdi
Rachel, Mr. Davila is not quiet at the university and says on May 3, 2012 on the Mesquite (student paper fb page) in response to the SA Express News article:
“I called is lady out back in October/November - job security or lawsuit...I guess lawsuit it is” ( I guess he is referring to Professor Bradford as "this lady")
What is his problem and why are you defending this guy is my question?
Kirsten Verdi
correction May 30
Kirsten Verdi
Rachel, in your opinion in may be obnoxious what he said but in my opinion what he said was by far more than I could stomach, it was sick to suggest that those people who oppose to the crosses should take the other entrance to the university at Zarzamora is the same as saying that blacks and women should ride in the back of the bus, that is racism!!!!! Sick, sick, sick!!!!
Kirsten Verdi
Rachel, another point: Whether he was regent at the time or not, doesn't make a difference. Due to his appointment he will always have a moral responsibility towards the Texas A&M San Antonio university and its students, he was suppose to be a role model, and a leader of good moral characterfor. Sorry to weewee in somebodies wheaties but that's just the way it works. Once an Eagle Scout ALWAYS an Eagle Scout! I bet you it is on his resume? If the magnitude of moral responsiblity that came along with his appointment was too much for him to handle, which he demonstrated, than he should take it off, and not deceive his employers any further. Unless he works for unethical employees who would of course praise him for his accomplishment!
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
he didn't only flame prof Bradford but every other student who didn't agree with the crosses on the tower by saying that those who don't like it should take the othe entrance.....that was a racist statement, the same as if blacks and women should ride in the back of the bus. Just sick!!!!!!
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I don't know what was sent to Prof Bradford but what I read on the university media (fb and mesquite) was more than I could tolerate
Rachel Kusama via Texas Tribune on Facebook
She forwarded it to you under bcc - check your spam folders.It would be the one titled "***".
That was the sheriffs daughter one. The Christmas card and ***hole email were with a couple other attachments.
I already gave my opinion on the remark in the student newspaper and the local San Antonio paper back in November/December - it's congruent with yours. However, the school did address it by removing the crosses and making more effort to actually monitor all of the social media and websites associated with it.
I hope no one in the school takes what I'm about to say as an insult. My personal opinion is that a contributing factor to what occurred (and I believe I've mentioned this before) is technological illiteracy. It wasn't any kind of intentional neglect, or dislike.
I don't know if you remember, but around that time a website went up that looked exactly like the schools, but it wasn't. (I call that a "spoof".) The owner went to great lengths to hide their registration information using GoDaddy, so that it wouldn't pop up on internic. However, in their website they used a unique pseudonym that they also used on other websites which they had listed their linkedin information.
To computer professionals, all I did was parlor tricks. But, to those who aren't as technologically literate, I was waving a metaphorical magic wand.
I really think this could have been solved if some participants used a rare form of communication referred to as "IN PERSON; FACE TO FACE" communication.
Why was I the only person who made an effort to speak to people on both sides in person?
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
i can only speak for myself and what I read was on the TAMU-SA facebook page are you saying that mr. Davila never said what he said?
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
That Mr. Peason never said what HE said? That Ms Thompso Trevino didn't give her "Amen" to some of it?
Rachel Kusama via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I am going to write to every bar in Germany and have them deny you lager, pretzels, potato pancakes and strudel =P Seriously, where have I said that?
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Maybe I am not understanding what was done where...sorry, you know what happens if you deny Germans their beer and potatos, we go ballistic LOL
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
At least the crosses are placed in their respective places over there LOL
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Oh Rachel, i was just upset about what was said at our university media.....I am old fashioned and if any of my kids act that way don't matter how old they are I will " beat them with my wooden spoon" (just kidding, don't call CPS now) LOL
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
my kids don't get beatings they write letters of apology, works wonders!!!! lol
Rachel Kusama via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I <3 you Kirsten Stutz Verdi.
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Likewise, Rachel ;)
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Germany is pretty tolerant, they have their Christian churches ( Catholc and protestant), they have synagoges, mosques...most kids go to public schools like here. Religious tolerance is handled their better, the old folks are dying out and the new generation is blended of different nationalities. they have a few radical groups, had domestic terrorists in the 70's (Bader/ Meinhoff) you can't be there illegal though and you have to speak the language. I will be able to tell you how it has changed since i went their last. But hate groups are illegal and you can report someone who verbally attacks you, you couldn't call me a Schwein or other nasty stuff....
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
there ;0
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Free speech is not as free as it is here, but you have to admit that some of the stuff on our fb was not free speech but hate speech.....sad, sad
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
you havve to speak the language if you become a citizen, I meant ;) Tourist get away with english because most Germans speak enough English to get you to the train station and get you your beer, bratwurst und potato salad, mustard too lol
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
i just hope they get things straigthened out so that can feel accepted better when i go back, that's all.
Cresencio Davila via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Kirsten Stutz Verdi - you cast judgement on me as if you know the entire story or the motives behind any of my comments I have made on Facebook. Call me what you want and think of me what you shall - I voiced my opinion - as strong as it was - I did - and I don't take any of it back. Did I harass Sissy? No I did not! If I used the same gauge that you or Sissy did in regards to my comments - then I wonder what conclusions I make toward your personal comments made towards me? Don't worry though - to each his/her opinion. I do want to say that my comment about using the other entrance was taken out of context not only by many of these articles but as well as you and to further add the comment does not make me a racist.
Kirsten Verdi
Mr. Davila
Your comments on the university fb page made me very uncomfortable and caused me a great deal of anxiety and fear when you suggested that those who opposed the crosses should take another entrance. I was raised in a country with a very terrible history regarding discrimination and horrific acts were afflicted on people that were considered undesirable by the regime that ruled my country at the time. Therefore I am very sensitive to matters in regard to discrimination and injustice. To this day my family is affected by the mad man, Adolf Hitler, who showed no mercy on those who opposed him and we all know what happened to those who were not even considered to be human beings. America is suppose to be the most civilized western country, but my recent experiences make me question whether it is. San Antonio has been my home for the last ten years and there is a good chance that I may grow old here and die here. I obtained my citizenship, learned the language and started college and graduated with highest honors last December in an attempt to integrate into this country .my husband is a US soldier and is currently serving in a war zone. I don't know you, never met you in person and didn't know how to wrap my head around what you wrote. Maybe in the future you could think it through a bit before you post potentially hurtful words. Thank you, Kirsten Verdi
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Mr. Davila
Your comments on the university fb page made me very uncomfortable and caused me a great deal of anxiety and fear when you suggested that those who opposed the crosses should take another entrance. I was raised in a country with a very terrible history regarding discrimination and horrific acts were afflicted on people that were considered undesirable by the regime that ruled my country at the time. Therefore I am very sensitive to matters in regard to discrimination and injustice. To this day my family is affected by the mad man, Adolf Hitler, who showed no mercy on those who opposed him and we all know what happened to those who were not even considered to be human beings. America is suppose to be the most civilized western country, but my recent experiences make me question whether it is. San Antonio has been my home for the last ten years and there is a good chance that I may grow old here and die here. I obtained my citizenship, learned the language and started college and graduated with highest honors last December in an attempt to integrate into this country .my husband is a US soldier and is currently serving in a war zone. I don't know you, never met you in person and didn't know how to wrap my head around what you wrote. Maybe in the future you could think it through a bit before you post potentially hurtful words. Thank you, Kirsten Verdi
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Mr. Davila if you feel mistreated here is your chance to clearify, I am open to communication and will listen ;) I have no ill will
Rachel Kusama via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Kirsten Stutz Verdi I can attest that he was taken out of context for that article; I was too. I saved my entire conversation with that reporter (it was much more verbose.)
Not that anyone listens to me in either direction XD
Kirsten Stutz Verdi via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Rachel, Which article, this one?
Rachel Kusama via Texas Tribune on Facebook
oh thats what you were messging me over. The one written by melissa for the San Antonio Express, Friday November 4th, print.
Donald Buckley
I am a graduate student at Texas A&M San Antonio who has spoken out clearly as being aghast at the removal of the crosses from the A&M Tower. Here is why I take this action as an act of hatred and intended injury against people of faith. The crosses were probably not included in the Tower design as an attempt to declare Texas A&M San Antonio as a religious, and certainly not as a Christian, school any more than the general Hispanic theme of the tower proclaims Texas A&M San Antonio to be a "Mexican" school. What both motifs were likely to accomplish was to recognize the local cultural history of San Antonio which is obviously heavily Hispanic and heavily Christian both in the Protestant and Catholic traditions.
I have never met, to my knowledge, Sissy Bradford. I cannot speak for her motivations. I can tell you that the effect of removing the crosses from the A&M Tower have clearly said to me that I am less than a valuable person at Texas A&M University. That people of faith are neither wanted nor respected at Texas A&M University, San Antonio (TAMUSA). That the heritage that I count very highly MUST be brushed aside in contempt by those pure souls, like Ms. Bradford. I suppose that TAMUSA will now only recruit student born in test tubes without personal, family, religious or cultural backgrounds. TAMUSA and Bradford apparently think America should no longer be a salad bowl of flavorful cultures but should just be a glass of lukewarm water.
If Ms. Bradford is from Jewish extraction, as I have read, then I wonder how it escapes her that she herself has become the very evil that murdered so many of her Jewish predecessors who wanted a "final solution" to the very existence of Jews. It seems to me that TAMUSA and Bradfors and even the San Antonio City Government are looking for a Final Solution for Chrisitians.