A California school principal said Wednesday that chanting “USA” may send an “unintended message.”
Lori Emmington, principal of Vista Del Lago High School, made the statement in an announcement to students and in an email to their families, according to CBS Sacramento.
“We can [sometimes] communicate an unintended message,” Emmington said in her address, adding that the chant would be appropriate after the Pledge of Allegiance or national anthem.
“There’s a time and a place to yell that and cheer that,” said Mike Garrison, a commissioner for the California Interscholastic Federation, which supervises high school athletics, in a statement obtained by CBS Sacramento.
Vista Del Lago High School introduced the topic in a leadership class.
“I wasn’t angry, but I was definitely like, ‘Why can’t we chant USA?'” said Ryan Bernal, a student at the school. “To say USA, you know, we’re all the same. We’re all American. It doesn’t matter what your skin tone is or where you’re from.”
“I want to chant USA because I want us to pull together and help, not because I want anybody to feel left out or not a part of our country,” Natalie Woodbury, a mother of one of Vista Del Lago’s students, told CBS Sacramento.
Folsom Cordova United district officials clarified that there is no institutionalized ban on USA chants.
“I’m glad that they will still allow our students to cheer for our country,” parent Cody Santero said.
In March, supporters of one basketball team were offended when fans of another team wore red, white, and blue. (RELATED: Students Denounced As Racist For Wearing US Flag Colors)
The Daily Caller News Foundation reached out to Vista Del Lago High School for comment, but received none in time for press.
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