Citing the “horrific racist imagery associated with the phrase,” the University of Florida stated on Thursday that they will no longer use the popular “Gator Bait” chant during athletic events, school president Kent Fuchs announced.
“While I know of no evidence of racism associated with our ‘Gator Bait’ cheer at UF sporting events, there is horrific historic racist imagery associated with the phrase,” Fuchs said. “Accordingly, university athletics and the Gator Band will discontinue the use of the cheer.”
The chant has historically been used by fans to antagonize Florida’s opponents.
Basically, back as recently in 1923, Black children were used as alligator bait in the Sunshine State and the term “alligator bait” was used as a racial slur referring to black children from Florida.
The move comes in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, which has spurned numerous protests in every major city in America.
The University is one of the many institutions within America to change their policies due to the growing protests surrounding ‘Black Lives Matter.’
