The University of Florida is sacking its “gator bait” cheer at football games and other sporting events because of its disturbing racial connotations.
The school president announced the move Thursday in a letter to the faculty, students, and staff.
Here is more on the controversial cheer.
The school’s band was known to strike up a “gator bait” tune and fans would respond with their arms doing a chomping motion while shouting the slogan.
Its teams are nicknamed the Gators, for the ubiquitous Florida reptile.
The University of Florida is expected to reopen in the fall semester with coronavirus-related restrictions.
University president Kent Fuchs wrote in the letter that there is “horrific historic racist imagery” associated with the phrase.
According to the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, “African American babies being used as alligator bait really happened, and it happened to real people.”
“It doesn’t seem to have been a widespread practice, but it did happen.”
Time Magazine published a story in 1923 about how black babies “were being used for alligator bait” in Chipley, Florida.
“The infants are allowed to play in the shallow water while expert riflemen watch from concealment nearby,” read the article.
“When a saurian (alligator) approaches this prey, he is shot by the riflemen.”
The Chipley Chamber of Commerce responded to the allegations by calling them a “silly lie, false and absurd.”
Fuchs said the university is also taking on racial issues in other ways following the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis.
Floyd’s death has sparked widespread unrest and protests around the country.
Fuchs said the school will require students, faculty, and staff to be trained on “racism, inclusion, and bias.”
It is believed that “gator bait” dates back to the late 19th century.
“One of the most disturbing articles about using babies as alligator bait was reprinted in numerous United States papers from 1888 until 1911,” according to the Jim Crow Museum.
“This article refers to an advertisement in Ceylon (modern day Sri Lanka) newspapers:
“‘Babies Wanted for Crocodile Bait.”
“Will be Returned Alive.'”
