The Mock Execution

“Everybody enjoyed it and had a good time”
High school principal Nathan Chaddick responding to criticism that a mock execution skit by cheerleaders was inappropriate.

In Nacogdoches Texas the halftime cheerleading routine included a mock execution where some cheerleaders were forced to kneel in a line and then were “shot” in the back of the head with fake guns, execution-style. The “dead” cheerleaders were then dragged into a pile where a celebration ensued, including throwing money into the air. Laughter and clapping from the crowd is heard on the videotape. School administrators would not allow student protestors to include a critique of school officials in the school newspaper – though an excerpt from the editorial did make it to AOL headline news.

Chaddick blames objection to the skit on a couple of girls who have a grudge against cheerleaders, and thinks it was inappropriate for the writers of the editorial to use the term “fearleaders.” Over a hundred students have signed a protest petition. In days long past principals like Chaddick could exert control over school outlets like newspapers. Years ago his ability to censor melted with the advent of new media, but he seems to have just learned this hard lesson in recent weeks.

Far from small town Texas, Hollywood stars Hillary Duff and Wanda Sykes have produced commercials aimed at curbing hateful language among teens. The ad council just released the new PSA’s that urge teens to “think before they speak.” Research found that LGBT teens are 90% likely to have heard the phrase “that’s so gay” used in a pejorative way.

In the gulf between do-gooders Duff and Sykes in Hollywood and principal Chaddick in southeast Texas lies the average teen experience. Teens didn’t create gay slurs or socially acceptable violence; they recreate the adult world that they experience.

After several days of mounting national scrutiny, School Superintendent Dr. Rodney Hutto apologized today for the skit. Hutto’s favorite movie is “Gladiators,” which has an eerie parallel to the scene of adults and kids crowded into the bleachers at Nacogdoches High cheering an execution. Nevertheless, Hutto is firmly denouncing the incident as well as the censorship. The skit had been approved by Kristen Jaspar, an adult advisor who acts as the cheerleading sponsor on behalf of the school district. No word yet on whether she has been reprimanded.

Nacogdoches is about 175 miles southeast of Dallas and touts itself as the oldest town in Texas. A famous book about Nacogdoches delves into its history of lynching. Nacogdoches is represented on the Board of Education by Barbara Cargill, a former “cheerleader sponsor” like Jaspar. Cargill has not publicly commented on the controversy. We get a glimpse of her world view on her website, where she posts the biblical verse Jeremiah 29:11-12. In this biblical reference, Jeremiah tries to convince a persecuted people that god will rescue them in the end, but in the meantime they ought to be good citizens. It is a lesson lost on the high school cheerleaders, their advisors, and their cheering fans.

Cargill is part of a group of board members that recently promoted the “National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools”, which critics claim inserts a particular conservative view of Christianity into public education.

The board has also been embroiled in controversy about the teaching of evolution after more than 800 Texas scientists signed a statement criticizing current board standards that they claim allow “supernatural explanations into science courses.” Cargill supports the board stance, claiming that discussing both sides of evolution results in a “well-rounded education.”

Cargill is supported by Cathie Adams, President of Texas Eagle Forum, a chapter of Phyllis Schafley’s national group. Schafley’s most recent accomplishment is being a close advisor to Sarah Palin. The Vice Presidential candidate was also a cheerleader in high school, and has been speaking to large, enthusiastic crowds about the value of small town America. Her path – cheerleader, parent volunteer, local city council member, and so on should remind us about the importance of local leadership. Palin claims to be bringing small town values to the White House. She doesn’t represent the values of my small hometown, but she is right about the importance of local leaders like Chaddick and Cargill.