In Missouri, a school district finds itself having to apologize for “unsportsmanlike” and “insensitive” behavior by students during a basketball game against a rival team.
In an article on the Huffington Post, the Superintendent of Warrensburg High School, Scott Patrick is quoted as saying that the students “have a tradition of turning their backs on opponents,” which he called “unsportsmanlike.” But the holding up of a Trump campaign sign is new. He said, “I think in this case, [the Trump sign] was really the difference in what took this from something that was unsportsmanlike to something that was insensitive, not neccessary and inappropriate.”
In a clip circulating online the white students from Warrensburg High School are seen turning their backs as the black students on the Center High School team are introduced before the game Monday night. (Click on th HP article to see it.)
Reading about the incident in the local paper, The Kansas City Star, there is much less outrage and a real attempt to normalize this behavior. “Trump sign waved in student section as predominantly black basketball team introduced.” Seems the school’s long tradition of turning their backs on other teams has been frowned upon and “not condoned” but, well, condoned. Now, they’ll take a look at it.
So, could this actually be a good thing? The extremes bringing the latent (and often racist) disrespect to the surface — where it will be addressed?
By the way — the Central High Basketball Team won!