University of Florida Bans ‘Gator Bait’ Cheer

University of Florida President Kent Fuchs announced today that the UF Gator Band and the university athletics department will discontinue the “Gator Bait” cheer at Florida sporting events.

From President Fuchs statement:

• I am personally committed to removing any monuments or namings that UF can control that celebrate the Confederacy or its leaders.
• 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. Accordingly University Athletics and the Gator Band will discontinue the use of the cheer.
• There are agriculture operations where UF has relied on prison and jail inmates to provide farm labor. The symbolism of inmate labor is incompatible with our university and its principles and therefore this practice will end.

Fuchs added in his statement, “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.”

Another step toward positive change against racismhttps://t.co/O8uGuOjB2P

— FLORIDA (@UF) June 18, 2020