A basketball announcer was heard spewing hate speech over a hot mic during the national anthem of the Norman-Midwest City girls basketball game at the 6A state quarterfinals earlier this week. The following statement on the incident comes from OEA President Alicia Priest:
“What happened Thursday during the state tournament broadcast is disgusting. All of our students — regardless of race, gender, language, nationality, or identity — should be welcome on the court, in the classroom, on the stage, and anywhere else they want go. No one deserves to be harassed, especially not children.
“However, we know that incidents like this are not isolated. It’s not even the only documented instance of racism in this tournament. We call on OSSAA to take long-term action to identify, rectify, and prevent racism and other forms of discrimination in school sports.
“Hate has no place in our schools.”
