• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Racist? Texas high school apologizes for fans' 'USA!' chant after basketball game

Harry Guerrilla said:
Have to split hairs on this.
Racist is a specific term, else it loses all meaning.

Simply saying the kids chanting USA, to hurt Hispanic students was rude, would be a better choice of words.
Click to expand...

Thank you Harry. That's my point.
 
Wake said:
I am not wrong. There was no racism, because Hispanic is a culture.

I will grant there may have been an element of bigotry involved in doing this, but not racism; we must be fair.
Click to expand...

Point out where I said there was racism. You are using a very specific definition. Most people use a more generalized definition. If you want to adhere to your definition, fine. The chanting of "USA" was not racist, but it was offensively attacking the ethnicity of the other team.
 
Harry Guerrilla said:
Have to split hairs on this.
Racist is a specific term, else it loses all meaning.
Click to expand...

Racism is often commonly used as bigotry towards another ethnicity. Right or wrong, that's how it gets used commonly.

Simply saying the kids chanting USA, to hurt Hispanic students was rude, would be a better choice of words.
Click to expand...

That's fine, and I agree.
 
Harry Guerrilla said:
Have to split hairs on this.
Racist is a specific term, else it loses all meaning.

Simply saying the kids chanting USA, to hurt Hispanic students was rude, would be a better choice of words.
Click to expand...

I remember challenging the diversity instructor at work over this. He put up the definition of race, and based on that, people who live near Chernobyl would be considered a race. The class ended rather abruptly.
 
VanceMack said:
Make no mistake...there IS a double standard on what is reported and what makes national news in this country.

"Police are investigating a possible race hate attack after a 13-year-old boy was doused in gasoline and set on fire.
The teenager, who suffered first degree burns to his face and hands, is white and his two attackers black.
his mother Melissa Coon said the attackers told her son ‘This is what you deserve. You get what you deserve, white boy’."
‘You get what you deserve, white boy’: doused in gasoline and set alight in racially-motivated attack in Kansas City | Education News

Roles reversed...and this would be the lead story on every network news broadcast in the country.
Click to expand...

I don't know, I think that's pretty ****ty. Seems like you heard about it. I don't think anyone is ok with racism from any angle.
 
Harry Guerrilla said:
Have to split hairs on this.
Racist is a specific term, else it loses all meaning.

Simply saying the kids chanting USA, to hurt Hispanic students was rude, would be a better choice of words.
Click to expand...

I would agree. Though because it is walking that fine line, it shows an extreme lack in judgement from these parents and is quite indicative of the issues I believe Texas faces.
 
Oh boo hoo. This is what happens when everyone becomes so overly sensitive. These students now cannot attend THEIR OWN high school's basketball games because they chanted USA? While they were IN THE USA? Watch out everyone, before you know it you will be punished for saying the name of your country... because it is possible a Mexican, Frenchman, Englishman, Spaniard heard it!!!
 
CaptainCourtesy said:
Racism is often commonly used as bigotry towards another ethnicity. Right or wrong, that's how it gets used commonly.
Click to expand...

I hate that it's used in such a loose manner.
The accusation should be serious, because racism is pretty nasty.

Ethnic superiority, meh, lots of people do this all the time.
Whether or not they realize it.
 
whysoserious said:
I don't know, I think that's pretty ****ty. Seems like you heard about it. I don't think anyone is ok with racism from any angle.
Click to expand...
Ah...but lets be very honest...we have a ****ing thread about people that have their panties twisted about people chanting USA...and **** like this gets ignored...,.or worse...intentionally buried. Hey...racism exists...no doubt. Across the board...every class, every race...racists and racism exist. But...seriously? Oh noes...they chanted USA...thats racist...not...holy **** these assholes literally set a kid on FIRE.

I guess perspective is everything...

Edit: (perspective...as in...we have 330 posts in a thread about a joke that may or may not be racist. right?)
 
Last edited:
VanceMack said:
Ah...but lets be very honest...we have a ****ing thread about people that have their panties twisted about people chanting USA...and **** like this gets ignored...,.or worse...intentionally buried. Hey...racism exists...no doubt. Across the board...every class, every race...racists and racism exist. But...seriously? Oh noes...they chanted USA...thats racist...not...holy **** these assholes literally set a kid on FIRE.

I guess perspective is everything...
Click to expand...

Why don't you start a thread? I wouldn't have heard about this USA chant if it hadn't been posted on here, and likewise with your story. It's up to you.
 
CaptainCourtesy said:
Point out where I said there was racism. You are using a very specific definition. Most people use a more generalized definition. If you want to adhere to your definition, fine. The chanting of "USA" was not racist, but it was offensively attacking the ethnicity of the other team.
Click to expand...

I did not say you used the word racism, CC. Merely, I attack the notion that chanting "USA" during a game involving Hispanics is racist, because being Hispanic isn't a race, but a culture. I wish people in general would use this word correctly, instead of adding more meanings to it, incorrectly.

I disagree that I'm using a very specific definition; there are numerous websites I read in addition to the Wikipedia website that agreed and elaborated on this. In fact, I think a thread should be made on this to shed more light on this issue.
 
Harry Guerrilla said:
I hate that it's used in such a loose manner.
The accusation should be serious, because racism is pretty nasty.

Ethnic superiority, meh, lots of people do this all the time.
Whether or not they realize it.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

VanceMack said:
Ah...but lets be very honest...we have a ****ing thread about people that have their panties twisted about people chanting USA...and **** like this gets ignored...,.or worse...intentionally buried. Hey...racism exists...no doubt. Across the board...every class, every race...racists and racism exist. But...seriously? Oh noes...they chanted USA...thats racist...not...holy **** these assholes literally set a kid on FIRE.

I guess perspective is everything...

Edit: (perspective...as in...we have 330 posts in a thread about a joke that may or may not be racist. right?)
Click to expand...

You make good points. I don't think it's a big deal to chant "USA," period. What next, it's offensive to wear a t-shirt with an American flag on it? :mrgreen:
 
andrew said:
Oh boo hoo. This is what happens when everyone becomes so overly sensitive. These students now cannot attend THEIR OWN high school's basketball games because they chanted USA? While they were IN THE USA? Watch out everyone, before you know it you will be punished for saying the name of your country... because it is possible a Mexican, Frenchman, Englishman, Spaniard heard it!!!
Click to expand...

But the real question is why are you chanting USA, when both schools are in the USA? Do you really think they were cheering "Hooray, everybody! Great job!" like it was the Special Olympics or something?

I don't know that I'd ascribe their intent as racial. Probably kids that grew up watching Rocky IV and think it's a cool and appropriate thing to cheer. Or something. Either way, I'd say they're banned for being complete ****ing morons. Which they probably deserved.
 
Alamo Heights High School, which is made up mostly of white students, beat Edison High, which is predominantly Hispanic
Click to expand...
according to google maps, these two high schools are 3.5 miles apart
yet one is predominantly white and the other hispanic
THAT is the underlying problem
we have allowed our schools to become re-segregated
those with political influence direct the drawing of the school attendance boundary lines
we gerrymander school attendance areas just as we gerrymander political districts
and then we are alarmed by a result such as this
so much for a melting pot. it's actually the un-melding of America
say it with me
USA! USA! USA!























proud yet?!
 
justabubba said:
according to google maps, these two high schools are 3.5 miles apart
yet one is predominantly white and the other hispanic
THAT is the underlying problem
we have allowed our schools to become re-segregated
those with political influence direct the drawing of the school attendance boundary lines
we gerrymander school attendance areas just as we gerrymander political districts
and then we are alarmed by a result such as this
so much for a melting pot. it's actually the un-melding of America
say it with me
USA! USA! USA!
Click to expand...

Sounds like de facto segregation rather than de jure.
Gerrymandering has little to do with this.
 
Wake said:
I did not say you used the word racism, CC. Merely, I attack the notion that chanting "USA" during a game involving Hispanics is racist, because being Hispanic isn't a race, but a culture. I wish people in general would use this word correctly, instead of adding more meanings to it, incorrectly.

I disagree that I'm using a very specific definition; there are numerous websites I read in addition to the Wikipedia website that agreed and elaborated on this. In fact, I think a thread should be made on this to shed more light on this issue.
Click to expand...

I'm just telling you Wake... right or wrong, the term is commonly used to describe prejudice towards ethnicities, too.
 
For what I have read this was not a game of Mexico against USA. They were all Americans! So what's the problem of chanting USA USA?

A storm in a teacup, that's all it is, in my opinion :shrug:
 
CaptainCourtesy said:
I'm just telling you Wake... right or wrong, the term is commonly used to describe prejudice towards ethnicities, too.
Click to expand...

Then I'll take that into consideration.

I want to see a good discussion on this [Starts typing one up].
 
Harry Guerrilla said:
Sounds like de facto segregation rather than de jure.
Gerrymandering has little to do with this.
Click to expand...

not true
in my community - after a federal judge ruled the system now 'unitary' [it wasn't] the schools are re-segregated
in many there are NO white students. in a community where whites are in the majority
we have gerrymandered the attendance lines, just as we have gerrymandered the political districts
this re-segregation did not happen by chance
 
rocket88 said:
But the real question is why are you chanting USA, when both schools are in the USA? Do you really think they were cheering "Hooray, everybody! Great job!" like it was the Special Olympics or something?

I don't know that I'd ascribe their intent as racial. Probably kids that grew up watching Rocky IV and think it's a cool and appropriate thing to cheer. Or something. Either way, I'd say they're banned for being complete ****ing morons. Which they probably deserved.
Click to expand...

I agree that they're intent was possibly to make the other team feel uncomfortable, and not the right thing to do. I am in high school, and trust me, there are a lot of people that do stupid things and a lot of people that are stupid. No body knows their "real" intentions

I look at it as, I wonder if somebody actual got upset over this? If they did, its their fault for being so sensitive that the name of the country which THEY LIVE IN offends them. I feel like this shouldn't even be a problem
 
whysoserious said:
Why don't you start a thread? I wouldn't have heard about this USA chant if it hadn't been posted on here, and likewise with your story. It's up to you.
Click to expand...

I think it's pretty obvious what the response would be...."that's horrible...they should be prosecuted for a hate crime".
 
Mya said:
For what I have read this was not a game of Mexico against USA. They were all Americans! So what's the problem of chanting USA USA?

A storm in a teacup, that's all it is, in my opinion :shrug:
Click to expand...

If they were all Americans why WOULD they chant "USA, USA"?
 
whysoserious said:
Why don't you start a thread? I wouldn't have heard about this USA chant if it hadn't been posted on here, and likewise with your story. It's up to you.
Click to expand...
Well I'll tell ya why...because I dont need to. Ive seen it played out here enough times to know what will happen. It will devolve within 15 threads to omigosh the white people are complaining about how 'unfair' everything is, mixed in liberally with "just because these people did that doesnt mean everyone does that (no ****...but then why the incessant creation of ANY of the 'racism' threads?). It is predictable...but enough to point out the reality...there are people that LOOK for 'racism' in JOKES for Gods sake that will never give this kind of thing a second look.
 
andrew said:
I agree that they're intent was possibly to make the other team feel uncomfortable, and not the right thing to do. I am in high school, and trust me, there are a lot of people that do stupid things and a lot of people that are stupid. No body knows their "real" intentions

I look at it as, I wonder if somebody actual got upset over this? If they did, its their fault for being so sensitive that the name of the country which THEY LIVE IN offends them. I feel like this shouldn't even be a problem
Click to expand...

Ummm... no, that's not why they got upset, IF they got upset. They got upset because another team was being offensive, rudely chanting "USA, USA", implying that because they were Hispanic, they were not American.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom