Conn. school warns students over use of ‘white’ in chants

December 19, 2016 / Athletic AdministrationCoaching
A Connecticut high school is warning students about use of the word “white” in some of their traditional chants.

Photo: Kevin Hoffman
Photo: Kevin Hoffman

The principal at East Hampton High School posted a note last week saying, “Given the current social climate across our country, our use of the ‘White’ cheer is under suspension. Please show your pride in our town and in our school through other means when cheering on our teams. Thank you for your consideration.”

The school’s colors are blue and white, and according to an article from WFSB in Hartford, it’s a senior tradition to chant the word “white” over and over again at games.

From the article:

The note sparked an online firestorm, with students posting on Facebook.

Jordan Michnowicz wrote: “…this stuff has me outraged they are trying to take a simple chant that our school has done for years and years. They are trying to make it about race.”

Brandon Kochuk posted “when the seniors cheer all they say is white. they don’t say white power or anything involving race they are just saying white.”

School officials met with seniors last week to discuss the issue and Superintendent Paul Smith softened on the suspension of the word.

“(The principal) is not telling them what they can say and can’t say in the gym at the games. He wants them to come but he also wants them to reflect the positive things they do outside of the gym as well,” Smith told WFSB.

Click here to read the complete article.


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