As 'Gator Bait' gets canceled, let's keep things in perspective
As a Florida grad, I’ve done the “Gator Bait” cheer during dozens of games. On occasion, we’d shout “Gator Bait” at opposing fans before a big game. For the most part, it was in good fun. Sometimes, I was obnoxious. That’s college.
But “Gator Bait” was never racist.
I’d like to say that I was never in the presence of racist comments, but that’s not true. Like just about anyone, I’ve overheard comments ranging from outright racist to racially insensitive. But I can say that I’d never heard of “Gator Bait” being used in any sort of racial context. Until today, I was never aware of any sort of connection.
Was I a bit surprised to hear the news that “Gator Bait” was going away? Of course. The racial imagery that was cited as a reason to eliminate the cheer is nothing short of horrific, but I hadn’t heard or read about that before.
Yes, it’s possible that this cheer getting canceled is a bit of an overreach as our country and its institutions wrestle with a checkered history and the cultural moment occurring right now. When the news broke, I heard from many fellow Florida fans complaining about the cheer going away, and I’d be lying if part of me wasn’t bummed out by losing a cheer that I’ve long associated with being a fan of Florida football.
But in reality, considering the magnitude of the moment, this sort of thing was always going to happen. And maybe that’s OK.
Many things that need to be changed are obvious. Others worth addressing aren’t so obvious. In some cases, walking the line between empathy and practicality is not so simple, and I think reasonable people can agree that erring on the side of empathy is OK especially when we’re talking about a simple cheer at football games.
I’m not saying that this is the right move. I’m saying that I’m willing to accept it even if it’s not. There are frankly bigger things to get emotional about. And Florida football will survive.
From an administration standpoint, two things stand out to me.
First, athletic departments are likely to increasingly take preemptive strikes against anything that can be considered even remotely racist. As we’ve seen with recent events regarding outspoken players, any negative news related to racism will move powerful people and organizations to act quickly.
It’s been said that recruiting is the lifeblood of college football, and anything that can negatively impact recruiting is going to get attention. A friend recently told me in perhaps a half-serious, half-joking manner that “recruiting can end racism.” He’s not wrong, but perhaps I’d modify the statement to say that “recruiting can end racism as well as some things that might not be racist.”
Secondly, this is a unique window in time to make such a move. Ending a cheer is pretty easy when you’re anticipating near-empty stadiums come football season.
When you add those things together, you can understand the move by the administration. And I’m sure that they considered that there will be plenty of fans upset by the move.
But again, let’s keep things in perspective.
Let’s be increasingly empathetic.
And let’s be thankful that Florida football will survive. Florida football will survive coronavirus and the loss of “Gator Bait.” I’m looking forward to kickoff.
The mob is never satisfied.
It didn’t just begin.
All that evil needs to prevail is for good people to keep doing nothing.
Let’s see them try to stop 80,000+ from cheering it.
I’m a lawyer, so I can’t wait for the lawsuits.
The “Gator Bait Cheer” Cancelled ? What Is Happening in this Country ? There is Absoulutely Zero Racism in that cheer ! I hope Every Gator Fan, at Every Game in The Swamp cheers It Loudly. Enough of This Crap Is Enough !
When everything is racist, then nothing is racist.
The term becomes not only useless but a mockery of itself.
.
.
Let’s save “racist” for truly racist words and actions.
The functional definition of “racist” is “that which is not progressive”
What is your point?
Are you saying that anybody who is not politically/socially progressive is a racist? If so then define progressive.
Classical definitions of racism:
a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race (Merriam Webster)
believing that other races are not as good as your own and therefore treating them unfairly (Cambridge)
If you describe people, things, or behavior as racist, you mean that they are influenced by the belief that some people are inferior because they belong to a particular race (Collins)
Zynka – ignore my last post/inquiry – I get your point now. I assumed you were being serious, not sarcastic.
And you are very correct.
Don’t mind wardog.
He was never known for being smart.
Agree.
Ok…which one of you clowns hacked TDOW’s account. An actual sensical post is not his style. Give us the troll back that we’ve all come to know.
Lil Kirby – GFY – do you feel better now?
Much better. Glad to have you back.
^ Blitzer beat me to it lol. But yes, that’s more like it.
Sure, give it up. What’s next?
Pour one out for the Gator Bait. It’s not the first and won’t be the last casualty.
Toomer’s corner might be next. Although (like “Gator Bait”) it was never intended to be racist, and no one actually alleged it was racist, the imagery… THE IMAGERY of a tree.
To borrow from the Florida President: “there is horrific historic racist imagery associated with the [tree].
Where does this end?
Where Does It End ? What Surprises me is that so many businesses are merely Caving-In to any Request being made
by Certain Groups & Organizations. Oh yes…Uncle Ben’s Rice will be Re-Named, to escape the Racist Legacy & Aunt Jemima
Pancake Syrup to be Re-Named too(both owned by Pepsico) ! How about The-Rest-Of-Us ? Do We Not Have a Voice ? Seems like The Tail is Wagging The Dog.
One thing for sure
Millions more will now scream Gator Bait, be they wearing blue and orange or other colors.
I might even scream it a couple of times in Jacksonville this coming season.
GATOR BAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!
PSA: UGA just dropped the playing of Gone With the Wind after games.
Lol. No.
I don’t think you know your audience Kevin.
Empathy doesn’t exist in SDS’s comment section.
I would disagree with your assertion that the chant was anywhere near controversial or contained any pulse of negative connotations which would require our empathy towards those seeking to remove it. This move appears only to be done for the sake of causing some sort of disruption in the name of social progress so UF can have something to point to when it’s time for them to prove their virtue to those accusing them of a generically discriminatory mentality.
Nothing like folding under pressure from a few whiners. Way to man up (that’s right, not gender neutral).
The problem here is that there was no pressure. It was all “what if”. Virtue signaling at its finest.
First of all…. thank you to all the other SEC fan bases that support Gator fans in rejecting the Autocratic move by our school president. Me thinks that the author of this article is a little young and naive in what MANY Gator fans think about this. I have been a season ticket holder since 1974. My family has had tickets since the 1950’s. Unless something drastically changes, this will be the end of my family’s season ticket. Me also thinks that Kent Fuchs has NO idea how much money the big boosters will cut off With this insane announcement. Very sad day for not only Gators, but all of the SEC and beyond. This is coming to everyone eventually.
My question is what does this do to help black people? What does getting rid of this chant, removing national historical monuments, changing uncle Ben and aunt jemima do to help black people? Does it help lower the black poverty rate? Black on black crime? Lower the % of single parent black house holds? Keep black kids out of gangs and crime? If the answer is no then why are we focused on this BS. I’m a paramedic firefighter and this would be the equivalent of me worrying about someone’s stubbed toe over the giant laceration in their leg caused them to bleed out. No one should be ok with us trying to erase history. We should learn from it and fix real problems that affect black people in this country.
We don’t have to erase history but we also don’t have to celebrate traitors that started a war that killed millions of Americans because they didn’t want to give slaves freedom. The only way to fix the issues you listed is to truly treat black people as equals. We’re not anywhere close to doing that.
How on earth does banning the chant “Gator Bait” at a college football game help treat black people as equals? Absurdity.
It doesn’t. I never said it did. Did you read either post?
Y’all are on here calling people snowflakes while simultaneously screaming and crying about a chant. It’s too much irony.
I can’t believe I am about to write this…
I agree with you UGADAWG78 …. shudder!
You two need to find a safe place and have a latte
We’re not the ones banning things we find offensive ( but hey .. you’re not burning them right ??)
Never has that been a good look in history
You need to understand the difference between being banned and not being used. There’s a huge difference. Go to a gator game and scream gator bait all you want. No one will stop you.
Difference is we aren’t offended by the censorship, we’re just at a point of anger.
Great take Kevin.
I am with you and it will be tough to lose that cheer. I was at the ’96 NC celebration in the Swamp when LW#4 went through the schedule and stated Gator Bait after each team. I loved the introduction of the Gator Bait cheer by the band the following year.
Like you, I never associated this to anything racial, but now that I look into the history of “Alligator Bait” some of the visuals and even a musical score are not a thing I want associated, even as remotely as this, to a University that I love so much.
I am not a Left wing liberal, but I am also not a far right conservative so I am weighing this out to what it is, a tiny step in the right direction. If we have to sacrifice a very small part of the game to do so, then so be it. I am looking forward to a new cheer to replace this … Go Gators!
PS .. can we get rid of that cheer that the band does after the opposing team gets a penalty?
1. I mean, we do tend to get a lot of penalties our selves
2. I can not and will not do any arm motion that even remotely resembles a Tomahawk chop
what musical score are you referring to?
I think it’s called Tara’s Theme, but don’t know anything else about it.
No, when I was looking into this historical context, I came across this song that came out in 1899 called “Mammy’s little Alligator bait”.
The chorus went:
“Hush-aby, don’t yo’ cry,
mammy’s little piccaninny’s gwine to get a present mighty soon,
When de stars am a-peepin’ and de moon it am a-creepin’
den yo’ mammy’s gwine to sing ‘dis tune,
Shut yo’ eye bye and bye,
mam will whip yo’ if yo’ cry,
Someone am a-comin’ thro’ de gate;
Go to sleep, don’t yo’ peep,
listen to me tell yo’,
yo’s mammy little alligator bait.”
It’s fiction. No truth to that whatsoever.
I’m definitely right about Tara’s Theme. There are several articles online discussing it.
“Move back you suuuck” is the one you are referring to.
Yep, hate that cheer.
The thought police is in charge, or at least attempting to take charge. Read George Orwell, 1984 and Animal Farm. Also bear in mind that Lawrence Wright, a proud, African-American Gator great basically originated the cheer.
The woke left is goose stepping right along with 1984..
Some people should look up Lenin’s rise to
Power , and what he said/ implemented
Then look up “useful idiot “
UGA (the living, breathing Dog) has to be a pure white English Bulldog, sans Russ.
We’re next
“I’m not saying that this is the right move. I’m saying that I’m willing to accept it even if it’s not.”
Why should anyone listen and give credence to someone who willingly admits he is a person without a spine, a man without testicles, a human without any morals?
The fact that y’all are still mad in these comments is hilarious
Even more funny is that you think anyone cares what your opinion is, clown.
Hi my little stalker! What’s even more funny is that you don’t know the difference between an opinion and a statement. Lol
I also was at the 1996 NC celebration in January 1997 when Lawrence Wright electrified the crowd with the cheer.
The attempt to eliminate the cheer is merely a small example of how things have really changed in this country since 1997. Not for the better either, regarding race relations and regarding expressing Constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.
No, nobody can understand this move, and that’s the problem with modern society, is that the author here, like the rest of PC America tries to. No place anymore for common sense. What is the point of “cleansing” our “checkered past?” Will you liberals feel better about yourselves? Will you pretend it didn’t happen? More importantly, will you stop constantly b*tching about everything being racist? No, no, and no. As usual, it’s nothing more than attempt to make everyone else just as miserable as they are by taking away something their defectors find enjoyable. Just like NASCAR and the confederate flag. I could argue about what it’s symbolism means and why people choose to honor it, but that’s a pointless discussion. Liberals aren’t going to see my point and I’m not going to see it there way. But the fact of the matter is, the people who are offended by it, don’t even like NASCAR. Confederate flag or not, they aren’t ever going to see a race, whether in person or on TV. It simply doesn’t appeal to them. And that’s fine. To each their own. So what is the point of telling those who do, that they can’t fly a confederate flag from their RV (their own private property) in the infield while watching a sport they enjoy, other than to stick it to a bunch of people you don’t like by making it less enjoyable for them? The answer is simple- there is no point.
The ironic and comical part of this is that the leaders of the elite left, such as Mr. & Mrs. Gates, outright admit that there is a superior group of beings and degrees of inferior. They are eugenicists, and Gates has called for using sterilization drugs as part of vaccines and testing them out in Africa.
Eugenicists, like his father, were the same type of people that Herr Hitler admired and used as a blueprint to plan the Holocaust.
The party of slavery, the party of the KKK, the party of separate but equal desegregation, the party of stating that the black race must be treated as sub-humans because they cannot govern themselves, is the same party that the majority of the black race will support yet again. Record numbers of intelligent members of this community will switch to the GOP, possibly up to 20% in this election, and that is before there is any factoring in of a senior dementia candidate that cannot even cut a 15-second internet ad without making so many mistakes, that his handlers finally had to go with the one that had just one minor mistake and use it on a big online ad buy last weekend.
It is impossible to legislate to eradicate hate. Hate is eradicated when nobody notices any more that there are any differences and sees everybody as homo sapiens. This planned division by the ultra elite will keep two sides fighting against each other, while they concentrate their power all the more.
Rod Serling was 60 years ahead of his time when he wrote, “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.” The elite handlers are laughing as they turn the lights on at one house and turn them off at another, watching the sheep attack each other.
As a black man from the South, I find this offensive. Not the chant mind you, the thought that this is a step in the right direction for any reason. How about you take the thought effort you put into this and find ways to actually help the black community. How about coming up with a plan to shorten sentencing for first time nonviolent offenders. That way black fathers could be in the home to teach our boys how to not make the same mistakes, thus giving them a male figure and not pushing them to gangs for male role models. Or how about ending the everlasting social welfare programs like section 8 and food stamps. Instead of handing it out, make it contingent on having X amount of verifiable hours of job searching, education, community service, or vocational rehab. Anything that would help our black families become a tighter and more productive support structure.
Just because your team hasn’t been hit yet doesn’t mean they won’t.
UGA: Must have a dog with a certain percentage af black or brown spots.
UT: Gotta get rid of Smoky because a slave hunter may have once used a blue tick to hunt runaways.
Auburn: The oaks a Toomers gotta go. Black people used to be lynched in tall trees.
The list goes on but you get it. As someone said earlier, this is just virtue signaling and DOES NOTHING but let a rich white man say “Look at me. I’m woke and I’m helping.”
Thank you. Everything you said, spot on. God bless.
Well said. Thank you for posting.
Those who look upon the past through lenses of the present and judge with contempt do so at their own ignorance .. because they too will be judged ..
Our country is using the fight against racism to turn a democracy into communism with Libs and Dems leading the way. This is what they wanted. I will always fight against racism, but this is getting out of hand. Now since they were wrong about COVID, they got to focus their attention elsewhere. It’s absurd. Now they are ruining school traditions that have nothing to do with racism and for us ruining sports. It’s all about the takeover and control of our country and they are using racism to destroy it and turn it into what they want. We are going to be like China unfortunately before you know it.
you want to remove names of people who had provable racist/ segregationist views from whatever buildings on campus… fine by me.
BUT …youd better be ready when they start coming after your legendary coaches and trophies and start demanding a clean slate.
you think any legendary coach prior to say ( i’ll be generous) 1970 was squeaky clean when it came to race?
Bear Bryant
Woody Hayes
Daryl Royal
General Neyland
Johnny Vaught
Shug Jordan
Frank Broyles
you think plans aren’t being formulated right now?
ha.
just wait
its coming