Football chant reflects larger issue nationwide

By Isaac Bolin, Carissa Suter, David Tibbals and Andrew Young

     A dangerous trend seems to have taken root at America's high schools and colleges, one that many are familiar with – bullying.

     As recent high-profile incidents have shown, bullying – especially toward homosexual teens – has become a hot issue for parents and children alike. In fact, results of a survey from the Safe Schools Coalition suggest that 61 percent of teens know someone who was bullied because of their sexual orientation.

     The issue has garnered national attention, especially after a particularly unfortunate September, when at least nine gay students nationwide committed suicide after reportedly being bullied. The most publicized incident, which claimed the life of Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi, also shed light on the increasing potential for cyberbullying among teens.

A national issue

     Aside from the recent instances that have garnered national attention, as well as a controversial chant that has popped up at North Dakota State University football games, statistics suggest bullying is an issue that requires action.

     According to a website created by the Health Resources and Services Administration, a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as much as a quarter of students nationwide are “bullied with some frequency.” The HRSA also mentions that nearly the same amount of students take part in bullying.

     This is reflected by a 2003 report authored by Drs. Andrea Cohn and Andrea Canter of the National Association of School Psychologists that argues bullying represents “the most common form of violence in our society.”

     Yet research suggests the public has little faith in the resolution of bullying issues.

     “Over two-thirds of students believe that schools respond poorly to bullying, with a high percentage of students believing that adult help is infrequent and ineffective,” reported Cohn and Canter, who also mentioned that a quarter of teachers do not see bullying as a problem worth pursuing.

     But recent efforts are aimed at reversing that notion. Prominent figures such as former first lady Laura Bush and actress Brittany Snow have publicly backed the fight against bullying. MTV has also come out by sponsoring the Love Is Louder campaign, which focuses on spreading information about bullying through social networking outlets.

     The HRSA, meanwhile, suggests a holistic approach to preventing bullying.

     “In order to reduce bullying, it is important to change the social climate of the school and the social norms with regards to bullying,” the HRSA concluded.

Tackling insensitivity

     At NDSU, faculty, staff and students have started to work toward changing the social climate by stopping an offensive chant that has been taking place at Bison football games. The chant includes a homophobic slur directed at whatever member of the opposing team wears the uniform number 2. The issue has created a rift between supporters of the chant and supporters of the offended.

     Tyler Specht, co-chair of the NDSU Gay Straight Alliance, believes that the chant is offensive to the community as a whole, not just the LGBT community.

     “To make fun of or degrade someone because of their sexual orientation is as absurd as degrading someone because of the color of their skin,” Specht said.

NDSU students and staff at the Coming Out Week candlelight vigil
Photo courtesy of Kara Gravley-Stack

     However, some NDSU students interviewed believe the chant represents freedom of speech and feel they should be able to express themselves as they wish.

     Matt Anderson, an NDSU senior linebacker, thinks that the chant is all in good fun and should be tolerated.

     “It’s actually one of my favorite chants, even though it’s not politically correct. I don’t even think it’s that intimidating, it’s just comical,” Anderson said.

     But students opposing the chant, such as Specht, agree that there is a difference between freedom of speech and hate speech. According to Specht, the chant includes slander, hate words, intimidation, verbal abuse and fighting words, all of which are against university policy according to NDSU's 2008 code of student behavior.

     Specht said the Gay Straight Alliance is working to combat the issue along with its faculty equivalent, the NDSU Pride Network. They are standing up against the chant at games and are discussing putting an online petition into place for students to sign and counter the slur.

Official business

     Campus organizations are not the only ones doing something to stop the chant.

     NDSU Athletic Director Gene Taylor would like the chant to end and has been working to make that happen, as he finds the chant derogatory, embarrassing and wrong on many levels. Taylor is working with campus organizations, including Student Body President Kevin Black, to find ways to address the issue.

     “We’ve got to spread the message and help students understand how hurtful the chant can be,” Taylor said.

The NDSU student section cheers on the Bison at the Fargodome

      Taylor mentioned he does not want to kick students out of the game when they start the chant, but is willing to do it. A few students were removed from the game against the University of South Dakota on Sept. 25 when the chant became loud and seemingly unstoppable, according to Taylor. 

Success in awareness

     Organizations and staff are taking their part in fighting the national issue of gay bullying here at NDSU, but only time will tell if their work pays off.

     For those fighting against bullying, success may mean just getting the word out.

     “I think it’s more of an awareness thing in getting to understand how hurtful that is to people,” Taylor said.







 For more information about bullying in schools:

• SU TV News broadcast featuring recent events at NDSU, including interviews from this story
• Anti-gay slurs used in football chants a hot issue at an Ohio high school
• Techniques for parents to prevent cyberbullying among teens

How do you feel about the issue of bullying in schools?  Share your views with us in the comments section!