When I was in school in MISSISSIPPI in the 60’s, it was segregated at the time, there were no blacks in our school until 69.
We had blinds and shades on the windows and would normally make a ‘noose’ out of the pull cords, so there was no racial component at all, it was just something kids do..................
In school in Alabama during the 80’s, I can’t tell you how many people (of every racial background) tied their hoodie strings into nooses. It was commonplace. No freak outs by anyone.
I used to do the same ting. I got pretty good at tying them