Southern Miss Band Yells Racist Chant At Player During March Madness Game
The University of Southern Mississippi’s band got out of hand during last night’s loss against Kansas State.
As Kansas State freshman guard Angel Rodriguez got ready to step to the free throw line to take two shots, some members of Southern Miss’ band began shouting, “Where’s your green card?” at the Latino player.
After a video with the offensive chant went public, Southern Mississippi’s president quickly issued an apology.
“We deeply regret the remarks made by a few students at today’s game. The words of these individuals do not represent the sentiments of our pep band, athletic department or university,” Martha Saunders said in a statement. We apologize to Mr. Rodriguez and will take quick and appropriate disciplinary action against the students involved in this isolated incident.”
To make matters worse, the band’s chant was not only offensive, but it was completely off base. Rodriguez was born in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, which means he a citizen of this country.
Now…I think a few members of the band need to show their report cards, how about you?
I’m no longer surprised by white people.
I’m a Black student at USM and I’m not surprised at the comment (nothing white Mississippians say surprises me anymore), but I am surprised that they would actually chant that publicly at a basketball game for everyone to hear. It’s a shame and its embarrassing for USM students and residents of Mississippi as a whole.
Where in the article did it say that it was all white band members shouting this? It’s foolish to assume considering how often I hear black people make fun of latinos as well. I just think it should be made clear first before spewing hatred. Either way, it was tasteless and ignorant
I’ve seen the band perform at several games and it is predominately White…there are a handful of Black students. Maybe I’m biased, but I just think that Black people have more sense than to shout racial remarks as a group at a public event like that. But I agree with you that it is tasteless.
gotcha. I stand corrected.
Ignorance is rampant and encouraged by many in the red States.Its no surprise ;just look at the republican candidates running for president
Just as misinformed as Santorum and know nothing of the history/contributions Puerto Ricans did for the US.
I also don’t see where it mentioned a ‘White’ person yelled the comment. Americans alike (Black & White) can be ignorant regarding race. I went to school with a lot of ignorant American (Black) kids that poked fun at a lot of foreigners. Some kids thought anyone with a Spanish derived surname was Mexican. Yeah…