#University of Florida bans ‘Gator Bait’ chant over ‘racist imagery’

The school is eliminating its “Gator Bait” cheer at athletic games and the Gator Band will no longer use it, school president Kent Fuchs announced in a letter on Thursday. In the letter, Fuchs explained the decision as a way “towards positive change against racism.” He said the cheer included “racist imagery,” even though there were no examples of racist acts that went along with the cheer.

“It is past time for UF to commit and engage in this challenging, uncomfortable, transformational work. We know that we cannot undo lifetimes of injustice and racism, but we believe we can make progress – in education, in advancing truth, reconciliation and justice, and in anti-racism, equality and working to eradicate inequities,” Fuchs wrote.

“Gator Bait” was a racial slur used towards African Americans in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, according to the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University. Black babies were used as alligator bait and it became a derogatory term. The chant was traditionally used at Florida games alongside the Gator Chomp. The chomp was not included in the president’s statement.

The decision comes at a time when protests have broken out against racial injustice and police brutality following the death of black man George Floyd at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer. The school is planning to require students and staff members to undergo training on racism, inclusion and bias, Fuchs said in the letter. Furthermore, multiple task forces will be formed to document the school’s history and relationship with racism and also review the naming of buildings and monuments that may have racist undertones or represent such feelings.