Century-old Hutchinson High School chant abolished <Freep these Nuts!>

Focus on Freedom ^ | 02 feb 2003 | cjonline

[steplock]

Century-old Hutchinson High School chant abolished

Topeka Capital Journal
Principal: Ronn Roehm

HUTCHINSON -- A 102-year-old Hutchinson High School chant made up of apparent nonsense words was yanked after the school board deemed it potentially offensive.

The school board voted unanimously Monday night to do away with the chant after Superintendent Wynona Winn said that at least one phrase
-- "hoe potatoer" -- could be considered offensive.

The 28-line chant of apparent nonsense words was created by two students in 1901.

It became an issue at the Dec. 9 school board meeting, when parent Lorie Norris noted that at one time it contained a racial slur that was replaced more than 60 years ago by the words "Higger, Bigger."

The district immediately suspended the chant, which usually is led by cheerleaders at football and basketball games.

Winn then searched the Internet and books, and talked to those who might have knowledge of the chant's origins.

In a book about slave songs, she found terms from the chant: "chicka," "rat trap," "bulligator" and a reference to slaves hoeing potatoes.

She also determined that the words "Higger, Bigger," could be viewed as a mask for the original terms.

No students spoke at Monday's meeting, but some adults suggested the chant should be changed instead of tossed.

"I'm a big believer in tradition," said Cindy Knox, who graduated from Hutchinson High in 1980. "Tradition is very difficult to get, very difficult to keep, very easy to let go."

Gary Carson, the district's associate superintendent of operations, however, suggested the district build a tradition of "integrity and respect and tolerance."

"Tradition is bigger than a chant or a cheer or a song," he said. "Tradition has to be something from within that people embrace and believe in as a whole, as a group."

Hutchinson High School
1401 N. Severance • Hutchinson, KS 67501 •
620-665-4500
Principal: Ronn Roehm  mailto:roehmr@usd308.com


This article comes from Focus on Freedom
http://www.gohotsprings.com/focus/

The URL for this story is:
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[socal_parrot]

I see nothing politically incorrect about this cheer. On the other hand, it should be banned for its sheer and extreme dorkiness.

[Loyalist]

Sorry about the double-post. How insensitive and intolerant of me.

[RLK]

How long did it take these idiots to research all this in order to show their behinds and become the center of attention?

[lsee]

Students immediately wrote a brand new cheer to honor this sensitive parent:

Lorie Norris brain so porous
stupid, doopid, utter goopid,
dummy, rummy, sick to tummy,
Racist, wastist time-ist rhymist
oldie goodie nonsense wordy
meant no harmie
Lorie smarmy
How we hate her, alligator
Hutchinson High School
Rah, rah, rah!

[JRandomFreeper]

The 28-line chant of apparent nonsense words

The high school's name also appears in the chant. And those words are obvious nonsense words.

/john

[lawdude]

" Sounds more like a slur on the Irish"

We Irish dinna have 'hoes', we had sweet, easy lasses, thank you.

[lmr]

I was a resident of Hutchinson when I was just a youngster in the 4th grade. Still make it up to the State Fair there once in awhile. Some of the sideshow "acts" at the fair are more offensive than this chant. I am offended by alot of things, but you know what, it isn't my right to not be offended. I wish all people would realize this and get over their self-inflicted "victimization".

[socal_parrot]

[weikel]

ping

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

I'm offended and I don't even know why. I feel a lawsuit coming on.

[judgeandjury]

Gary Carson, the district's associate superintendent of operations, however, suggested the district build a tradition of "integrity and respect and tolerance."

Huh? I can understand the part about integrity and respect, but how and why did the word tolerance get tacked on to the end of Carson's statement? Tolerance about what?

[gg188]

She also determined that the words "Higger, Bigger," could be viewed as a mask for the original terms.

That's very niggardly of her.

[judgeandjury]

She also determined that the words "Higger, Bigger," could be viewed as a mask for the original terms.

Yeah, and the word "fornicate" could be viewed as a mask for that other F-word, but should we ban the word fornicate because of this?

[Steve0113]

I always heard it was a six-pack and a potatoe.

[BenLurkin]

LOL!

[steplock]

Mexico bypassing U.S. sovereignty? Check this article!!

[Nik Naym]

What a bunch of nonsense.

Norfolk High has a better one.

"We don't drink! We don't smoke!"
"Norfolk! Norfolk! Norfolk!"

NOW let them tell me again how higger, bigger, potatoer and chika are offensive.

[BenLurkin]

Upon refelction, although the punch line is mildy amusing and not in any way foul or obscene, it is certainly not complimentary. Sorry for the tease, but I better stuff it before I get in trouble.

[APBaer]

Yo, Bro, I got a hoe:

"The Man With a Hoe" by Millet