Incredible. The school whose fans wore American colors is apologizing to the other team for doing so. North school officials should be apologizing to Valley for anyone being offended. “Even if that was their theme for the game, I feel like they should have switched that because everyone knows North is a more diverse school.” Really? So “diverse” as to be offended by the American colors? Then why are they in America at all? Saudi Arabia is lovely this time of year.
“Valley defends USA-themed student section after criticism,” KCCI, March 9, 2017 (thanks to Todd):
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Valley Tigers bested the North Polar Bears 57-55 Wednesday night, but it wasn’t the slim 2-point loss that’s causing controversy.
Some North fans said the Valley crowd, decked out in red, white and blue in an America-inspired theme night — a trend among students to dress up at athletic activities — was meant to be a political statement aimed at mocking the more notably diverse North High School.
“A lot of people were very upset about it,” North sophomore DeNasja Spencer said. “Even if that was their theme for the game, I feel like they should have switched that because everyone knows North is a more diverse school.”
Tyreke Locure, a sophomore starting point guard for the boys basketball team, said he didn’t notice the tension among the crowds until after the game.
“Everybody on the North side had on North shirts, and to be dressed in American flags, that was just different for us,” Locure said. “Everybody from the Des Moines area (was) just tweeting crazy, and I can say I fell into the trap just because I was frustrated we lost.”
But the tradition, Valley fans said, is nothing new.
“We had a USA theme, which we’ve done many times in the past,” Valley freshman Dayna Dunnwald said. “It’s really sad, and I hope everyone can resolve it in the end because no one at Valley meant it in that way. And it was just for fun.”
A letter written by Valley student council leaders was hand-delivered to North’s principal, saying in part: “We are deeply sorry if we have offended anyone in any way. We have traditionally dressed in such a fashion for great games such as the one last night. Everyone here at Valley has immense respect not only for your team and players but for your community as a whole.”…
