February 15, 201313 yr It's certainly a fair question and one I'd have to think about First thought is that it's not a socioeconomic situation like my Holmes/CCH example. It's not telling Americans they're not Americans so... Where it would cross the line is if a student section made derisive cheers about either being poor or being unintelligent simply based on where they were from. That's different than saying something like "where's your tractor" or dressing up in overalls. I went to Conner back in the day that Hebron was "way out in the country." Our rival called us "pig farmers" which didn't really bother us. So the redneck or hillbilly chants would be okay? Would the Holmes kids not be making fun of the rural kid's intelligence by calling them red necks or hillbillies? If the Holmes kids did that would it be okay for the rural kids to call the Holmes kids thugs or gangstas? Seems like one would be as much in the wrong as the other. Or is this just about color for you?
February 15, 201313 yr I don’t think it’s a “left versus right” issue, but a “majority versus minority” issue and one that’s going to cause certain people to raise alarm when it’s the minority being denigrated. I think you would have to ignore a lot of history and experience in this country to conclude these things are equal. There have been and continue to be some unfortunate ramifications of being a minority in this country, to put it politely. Despite the platitudes many people espouse about colorblindness or equality they just aren’t the reality. Stereotypes and beliefs about minorities have been used to justify some nasty treatment many people would rather pretend didn’t and don’t happen. And by definition, a minority doesn’t have too much power and are easily oppressed (as our history would indicate). So, yes, I think there is a considerable difference. In this day and age, I would argue strongly against that. I hope this doesn't offend anybody, but a group of us guys get together every tuesday night. Co-workers, friends, etc. It's a mix of white, black, etc. Again, we are all great friends. But, one of my buddies who is actually a minority (white mother, african american father) was talking about the best person to be in this day and age is an African American, educated Lesbian. He made a great point, I thought. Who would not have the guts to hire her over a blonde hair, blue eyed male? Because if you didn't, you would have not only the NAACP, but Women and Gay Rights activists beating down your front door.
February 15, 201313 yr So the redneck or hillbilly chants would be okay? Would the Holmes kids not be making fun of the rural kid's intelligence by calling them red necks or hillbillies? If the Holmes kids did that would it be okay for the rural kids to call the Holmes kids thugs or gangstas? Seems like one would be as much in the wrong as the other. Or is this just about color for you? As I said it's a tough one. It depends on how one would take the chants. Most country folk I know wouldn't be offended. However, as I said before, IF it seems like the intent was to question one's intelligence then it's completely out of line. I freely admit I may be desensitized to this particular issue having heard it for years growing up.
February 15, 201313 yr Can't remember the year, but Harrison County was beating Bishop Brossart in the 10th Region tourney @ Mason County. The Breds' student section always had a chant they would do in a Regional game. They would say in unison, "Season's over!" clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. And they would repeat that for a couple of minutes. In the closing minutes, with the outcome essentially decided, the Harrison student section began its chant. It was always one of my favorites. Across the way you could see the Brossart student section huddling together. Pretty soon they responded in unison, "You are inbreeds!" clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. I laughed.
February 15, 201313 yr Here's the difference, to toe the fine line. If you have not lived in the southern part of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, where immigration is a HUUUUUUGGGGEE topic, then you can't get it. There will be a time when chanting USA at a hispanic team will be taken in stride and laughed at. Now is not that time. It is a hot topic button that has created division and derision in many communities. It is a raw nerve, because the issue is far from settled. It is basically one group (who I believe are correct) keeping another group from coming into our country illegally. It is about another group (who I have seen how they live, so if I were them I'd be jumping borders too) risking just about everything for a chance for a better life. It is about children of group 1 telling the children of group 2, we are better than you. You are not American, no matter you were born. How people confuse this with International competitions where the underlying point is to play for National pride, I'll never know. This isn't about playing to the minority, or being weak. This is about kids getting out of line and using a Xenophobic cheer to put the Latinos "in their place." Not a big fan of the red neck cheers either. If it is a cheer based on the mistakes a player makes, or public info of what they have done off of the court, then have at it. I don't like the rest.
February 15, 201313 yr It was either 2011 or 2012 the Graves County students dressed in a jungle theme when Mayfield played them. It should have never been allowed.
February 15, 201313 yr It was either 2011 or 2012 the Graves County students dressed in a jungle theme when Mayfield played them. It should have never been allowed. No question.
February 15, 201313 yr Mayfield is predominantly black. That even took me a second to connect, too. But...gotcha now. Bad move. Dare I hope that it was just badly thought out and not intentional? We've had jungle night themes too, but with predominantly white schools.
February 15, 201313 yr That even took me a second to connect, too. But...gotcha now. Bad move. Dare I hope that it was just badly thought out and not intentional? We've had jungle night themes too, but with predominantly white schools. No, it was planned. I don't know when it happened, but if it was during football season, Mayfield pounded them in retaliation. On the court, it usually goes the other way.
February 15, 201313 yr There aren't many things worse IMO than telling an American that they're not American or "American enough." Unless this student body chants this at every single game then that is exactly what these kids are saying. You're not American. You're lesser than us. We're better than you simply because we're white. Add in the report that they also changed "Arizona" and then you have a complete picture of the intent of the cheer. They're not being patriotic. They are ridiculing fellow Americans for nothing that those people have done wrong. They're ridiculing them because of their skin color and heritage. It's no different than yelling "wetback" or "spic." The intent is exactly the same. Am I the only one wondering why you included the bolded? So the school making the chant is comprised of only white kids? If not, what in God's name would lead you to think that skin color played a part in this?
February 15, 201313 yr Am I the only one wondering why you included the bolded? So the school making the chant is comprised of only white kids? If not, what in God's name would lead you to think that skin color played a part in this? Is it possible the school has a strong mix? Yes . I went with a supposition (it could be wrong) that the student section at the game was predominantly white. They definitely were not Latino as evidenced by the two cheers. I'm willing to bet a beverage that if we had a picture from the student section that you're not seeing many non-white faces.
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