If there’s one thing Mississippi knows, it’s good ole fashioned racism. Recently, the southern “charm” of the state was in full effect for a March Madness game between Kansas State and Southern Mississippi.
In a first round clash between the two schools, Kansas State guard Angel Rodriguez was the victim of some vitriol in the form of a chant from the Southern Miss band. While Rodriguez was at the free throw line, members of the band began chanting “Where’s your green card?”
Let’s face it…that’s kind of funny. Still, to chant it in the middle of the biggest basketball tournament in the world takes some kind of “let’s throw caution to the white wind” mentality I could never imagine. While slightly clever, the remark is just as bad as a homophobic slur or other racial diatribe.
In an attempt to not start hate wars, the school has penalized and suspended those members of the band and issued an apology.
Rodriguez had a wonderful response. He managed to provide a fitting retort, while displaying terrible, terrible grammar.
"I heard it. I don't pay attention to that nonsense, especially because Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, so we don't need no type of papers,” said Rodriguez. Simple, effective, and conveyed in the type of sentence structure Mississippians can understand.
This isn’t the first episode for the Southern Miss band. They have been notorious all year long for their chants and antics during games. Earlier in the season, during a game, they singled out an Asian player on an opposing team by chanting “Ching-Chang-Chung” and throwing rice onto the court. Not long after that, in a game featuring a player from Africa, the band members chanted “Kony’s got your brother.”
Snake Alley Song of the Day: TWDY - Players Holiday