It's one thing to be mean and bigoted, but to be wrong at the same time is just kind of embarrassing.
Five members of the University of Southern Mississippi pep band have had their scholarships revoked after chanting "Where's your green card?" at a Puerto Rican Kansas State basketball player at Thursday's NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament game.
WAVE-3 News reports:
When freshman point guard Angel Rodriguez stepped to the free throw line in the first half, some members of the band began to chant, "Where's your green card?" Rodriguez is a Puerto Rico native. Video of the chant went viral after being posted on YouTube that same day.
In a prepared statement released Tuesday morning, USM said: "The University of Southern Mississippi has completed a review of the incident that occurred during last Thursday's NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament game and is taking disciplinary action against five members of its pep band.
"The students have had their pep band scholarships revoked, have been removed from the band, and will be required to complete a two-hour cultural sensitivity training course this week.
Vice President for Student Affairs Joe Paul called the incident a "teachable moment." Hopefully the loss of the scholarships doesn't mean the band members will leave school. In addition to sensitivity and decency, it seems there are a few other lessons they can't really afford to miss. First on the list: People Rico is a U.S. territory, and its citizens don't actually need green cards.
Read more at WAVE-3 News.