High school halftime show racial slur was planned prank
Some sousaphone (a brass instrument similar to a tuba) players assembled themselves to spell out the word ‘c00n’ using instrument covers that are normally used to spell ‘Broncos,’ the school mascot. Although, the covers are routinely used while the band is in the stands, they are to be removed before taking the field — mainly because they dampen the sound, but also because members aren’t always in sequence so the word could get garbled.
Brookwood Principal William Bo Ford Jr. sent a letter to parents, students and community members Saturday, vowing to get to the bottom of the issue.
“As promised, we started an investigation into this matter, and I wanted to share with you our current findings and the steps we are taking with the students who were involved,” Ford wrote Monday. “After extensive interviews with many students, we have determined that three seniors intentionally planned and executed the use of the sousaphone covers to spell out a completely unacceptable, racist term. The fourth student, a junior, who carried one of the letters spelling out the word, appears to have gone along with the plan at the last minute. However, all four of the students knew what was going to happen and knew what they were spelling out during the halftime show.”
The students — two black, one Asian, and one Hispanic 
— told administrators that they thought what they did would be funny. Ford added that the kids knew it was a racist term and was not acceptable. Two other students were involved with the Friday night incident, but lied to school officials about what happened, they will also be punished.
— told administrators that they thought what they did would be funny. Ford added that the kids knew it was a racist term and was not acceptable. Two other students were involved with the Friday night incident, but lied to school officials about what happened, they will also be punished.
