Michael Brooks
In 2019, Covington Catholic High School students were accused of wearing blackface at a 2012 basketball game. A video compilation that surfaced on social media showed students covered in black paint, resembling the racist blackface historically used in productions mocking black people. The video sparked accusations of racism against the students, who were already facing scrutiny for a separate incident involving a confrontation with a Native American activist. While some condemned the students' behaviour, alumni defended the use of black paint as an innocent 'blackout' cheer theme. This incident added to the ongoing conversation about racism and the symbolism of the Make America Great Again hats worn by the students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2011, 2012, 2015 |
| Event | Basketball game |
| Location | Kentucky |
| School | Covington Catholic High School |
| Students' clothing | "Make America Great Again" hats, black paint |
| Students' behavior | Verbal abuse, mocking, sneering, howling, surrounding POCs for racial taunting |
| Response | Denial, backlash, accusations of racism, scrutiny, condemnation |
| Evidence | Videos, photographs, social media posts, testimonies |
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What You'll Learn
- Covington Catholic students accused of wearing blackface at a 2012 basketball game
- Alumni defend the incident as an innocent 'blackout' cheer theme
- Covington Catholic students were also involved in a viral video controversy with a Native American protester
- The school's student section, the 'Colonel Crazies', has been criticised for its zealous chanting and abrasive behaviour
- Covington Catholic is known for its spirited school culture and tradition of themed game nights
Covington Catholic students accused of wearing blackface at a 2012 basketball game
In 2019, a video resurfaced on social media showing Covington Catholic High School students wearing black paint at a 2012 basketball game. The video sparked accusations of racism and blackface against the students, who were already facing backlash for a separate incident during MLK weekend. In the video, students had their faces, chests, and arms covered in black paint and were yelling at a black player on the opposing team.
While some condemned the students' behavior as racist, alumni defended the action as an innocent 'blackout' cheer theme, stating that the school's cheering section often displayed similar behavior and dress against all teams, regardless of race or ethnicity. They also claimed that the intent of the black body paint was not racial but was instead a school tradition related to "blackout" games, where fans wore black to support the team.
The video, titled "Colonel Crazies Compilation Video," was reportedly uploaded by the school in 2012 before being removed. It showed students covered in black paint at several basketball games, as well as in other paint colors for different themes. However, the black paint has been compared to racist blackface historically worn in productions mocking black people.
The incident added to the scrutiny the school was already facing due to a separate controversy involving students wearing "Make America Great Again" hats and mocking a Native American elder. The school closed temporarily over safety concerns and threats in the aftermath of the incident.
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Alumni defend the incident as an innocent 'blackout' cheer theme
Several Covington Catholic High School students were accused of wearing blackface during a basketball game in 2012. A viral video and photos on social media showed students covered in black paint and wearing "Make America Great Again" hats while mocking a Native American elder. This incident sparked widespread criticism and allegations of racism against the school.
However, alumni of Covington Catholic have defended the incident, claiming it was an innocent "blackout" cheer theme. They asserted that the black paint was not intended as blackface and that the cheering section often dressed in similar attire for all teams, regardless of race or ethnicity. One alumnus commented that the behaviour and dress depicted in the media were typical for the cheering section.
While the alumni's explanation offers a different perspective, it is essential to consider the broader context. Covington Catholic has faced scrutiny for its students' behaviour on multiple occasions. For instance, in 2015, a basketball player who competed against Covington Catholic recalled the students' chants with racial overtones. Additionally, videos from 2011 surfaced, featuring white Covington Catholic students appearing in blackface at basketball games. These incidents suggest a pattern of racial insensitivity or ignorance within the school community.
The interpretation of the incident as an innocent "blackout" cheer theme by alumni highlights a disconnect between intention and impact. While the alumni may not have intended to cause racial offence, the result was still harmful to racial minorities. It underscores the importance of cultural awareness, sensitivity, and understanding the historical context of blackface and its racist connotations.
Moving forward, it is crucial for Covington Catholic and similar institutions to actively address issues of racism and promote educational initiatives that foster cultural understanding and empathy among students. Only then can we strive for a more inclusive and respectful environment for all.
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Covington Catholic students were also involved in a viral video controversy with a Native American protester
A viral video from 2019 showed Covington Catholic High School students appearing to mock Native American elder Nathan Phillips at an Indigenous People's March. The students, who were visiting Washington D.C. for the annual anti-abortion March for Life, were seen laughing, hooting, and hollering while surrounding Phillips, who was peacefully chanting and beating a drum. The video sparked widespread condemnation, with many interpreting the students' behaviour as racist and rooted in privilege.
The students defended themselves, saying that they were first targeted by a group of Black Hebrew Israelites, who launched insults and slurs at them. Nick Sandmann, one of the students at the centre of the incident, claimed that Phillips had approached him and that he did not see anyone try to block the elder's path. Sandmann also denied that he was confronting Phillips, arguing that it was the activist who got in his face.
Phillips, a 64-year-old former marine and longtime Native American activist, rejected Sandmann's version of events. He stated that he stepped between the students and the Black Hebrew Israelites to diffuse the escalating situation and that he found the students' behaviour to be a mockery of his culture. He added that approximately half of the students performed the "tomahawk chop" to ridicule him.
The incident sparked a national conversation about racism and the symbolism of the "Make America Great Again" hats worn by some of the students. Covington Catholic High School came under significant scrutiny, and the school, along with the Diocese of Covington, issued an apology and promised to take appropriate action. The school's principal, Robert Rowe, said that the campus was closed as a safety precaution due to threats of violence and the possibility of large crowds.
Separately, Covington Catholic High School students also faced backlash for wearing blackface at a basketball game in 2012. While alumni claimed it was an innocent 'blackout' cheer theme, many condemned the behaviour as racist, particularly given the historical context of blackface being used to mock black people.
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The school's student section, the 'Colonel Crazies', has been criticised for its zealous chanting and abrasive behaviour
The student section of Covington Catholic High School, known as the "Colonel Crazies", has been at the centre of several controversies due to their zealous chanting and behaviour during sporting events. One incident that sparked widespread criticism and accusations of racism occurred in 2012, when a video resurfaced showing students with their faces, chests, and arms covered in black paint during a basketball game. While alumni defended the practice as an innocent ""blackout" cheer theme, many on social media condemned it as resembling racist blackface.
The "Colonel Crazies Compilation Video" depicted students with black paint following school chants and motions, and in one instance, surrounding an opposing player who appeared to be black. The video also showed students covered in other paint colours for different theme nights, such as "Braveheart March" and "White Out". However, the use of black paint sparked outrage and was perceived by many as racially insensitive.
The school's student section has also been criticised for their zealous chanting, which some opponents have found abrasive and offensive. In one instance, a black basketball player recalled hearing the chant "car-a-mel, car-a-mel" directed at him while he was at the free-throw line. Additionally, in 2019, Covington Catholic students were involved in a viral controversy where they were accused of mocking a Native American activist, Nathan Phillips, during the Lincoln Memorial confrontation. The incident sparked discussions about the school's cheering practices and their potential racial insensitivity.
While some defend the actions of the "Colonel Crazies" as mere school spirit, others argue that the behaviour crosses a line into racial insensitivity and intimidation. The controversies surrounding the Covington Catholic High School student section highlight the complex dynamics between school spirit, sports culture, and racial sensitivity. These incidents have prompted scrutiny and discussions about the impact of such behaviours on opposing players and the broader implications for race relations.
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Covington Catholic is known for its spirited school culture and tradition of themed game nights
Covington Catholic High School is known for its spirited school culture and tradition of themed game nights. However, in recent years, the school has come under scrutiny for incidents involving students' behaviour. One such incident sparked a nationwide conversation about racism and the symbolism of the "Make America Great Again" hats. It involved a group of Covington Catholic students wearing these hats while mocking a Native American elder, Nathan Phillips, and other Native Americans at the Indigenous Peoples March in Washington, D.C.
In addition to this incident, there have been accusations of Covington Catholic students wearing blackface during basketball games. Videos and photos from 2011, 2012, and 2015 surfaced, showing students covered in black paint and resembling racist blackface. While alumni defended it as an innocent 'blackout' cheer theme, many condemned the behaviour as racist, drawing connections to the historical use of blackface to depict African Americans unfavorably. The school's official YouTube page also posted and later deleted a video titled "Colonel Crazies Compilation Video", showing students in black paint at several basketball games.
The controversy surrounding Covington Catholic's school culture extends beyond these incidents. The school has been described as "notorious for being a not-well-disciplined school," with a reputation for terrible student behaviour. Students have also been accused of making inappropriate comments, such as a viral video of a boy saying, "It's not rape if you enjoy it." Covington Catholic's spirited traditions and themes have, in some cases, been associated with racial taunting and a lack of discipline.
While the school has not publicly responded to all the allegations, the incidents have sparked important conversations about race, discipline, and the potential consequences of spirited school traditions when not properly managed. Covington Catholic's experience serves as a reminder that schools must actively promote inclusivity and respect while ensuring students understand the historical context and potential impact of their actions.
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Frequently asked questions
Covington Catholic High School students were accused of wearing blackface at a 2012 basketball game. The "Colonel Crazies Compilation Video" showed students with their faces, chests, and arms covered in black paint. Alumni defended the act as an innocent 'blackout' cheer theme.
The "Colonel Crazies Compilation Video" was reportedly uploaded by Covington Catholic High School in 2012 before being removed. It showed students covered in black paint at basketball games. The video resurfaced on social media in 2019 and sparked accusations of racism.
The blackface incident sparked widespread backlash and controversy, with many condemning the act as racially insensitive. Covington Catholic High School came under intense scrutiny and faced safety concerns and threats. The school closed temporarily due to the controversy.
