At a high school in Folsom, California, students were taken aback when authorities ordered them to stop shouting ‘USA’ at athletic events. Although Vista Del Lago High School students have a history of shouting “USA” to support their country and athletes, school officials decided it was time for the school to put the “USA” chants in the rearview mirror and find another approach to demonstrate patriotism and support during sporting events.
The school advised students to cease chanting “USA” because it could be interpreted as bigoted by certain people. In general, students were perplexed by the demand since they believed themselves to be patriotic and enthusiastic about their American athletes.
“I wasn’t angry, but I was definitely like, ‘Why can’t we chant USA?’” senior Ryan Bernal told KOVR. “To say USA, you know, we’re all the same. We’re all American. It doesn’t matter what your skin tone is or where you’re from.”
The school first raised the subject of the chants during a leadership session. According to Thigpen, the Folsom Cordova Unified Communications Director, students needed to find a better method to show their support for games.
“To practice empathy, to practice kindness, and to practice patriotism,” said Thigpen. “You can do both.”
The “USA” cheer at the Folsom school has taken on a different tone over the last several years of Donald Trump’s presidency, according to authorities at the institution. The “USA” chant is sometimes used as a pejorative to abuse people who are not American or non-white, according to officials at the school.
“There’s a time and a place to yell that and cheer that,” stated Mike Garrison of the California Interscholastic Federation.
In an email to the parents of Vista Del Lago High School students, the school’s principal made it clear that the “USA” chant was no longer going to be used. Students were also warned against using the common cheer on a public announcement through Vista Del Lago High School’s loudspeaker system.
“We can communicate an unintended message,” the principal stated.
According to the school principal, the “USA” shout is acceptable after the Pledge of Allegiance from the national anthem but not in all cases.
“I want to chant USA because I want us to pull together and help, not because I want anybody to feel left out or not a part of our country,” stated the mother, Natalie Woodbury.
Despite the school’s request that students cease, the school district has confirmed that there is no prohibition on students who wish to chant “USA.”
The school is simply asking students to be more conscious of when and where they utilize the chant.
“The message is, let’s be tolerant of each other,” stated Thigpen. “Let’s think about what we’re saying and how it might make somebody else feel.”
