UCO in process of revising fight song amid backlash over some of the lyrics
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Updated: 8:17 PM CDT Jul 6, 2021
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Updated: 8:17 PM CDT Jul 6, 2021
The University of Central Oklahoma is revising its fight song after recent backlash over some of the lyrics.The Rev. Harry Gatewood III, a former UCO football player who graduated in 2008, said he had a thought when he happened to be looking at the college's Instagram post last month with the school mascot."And while looking at that same post about the mascot, I proceeded to go to the UCO history page. And it was the coming together of the UCO fight song being intertwined with Pride Month and Black Music Month," Gatewood said.He told KOCO 5 that, among other things, the song isn't inclusive. He also has issues with the word "boy," which he'd like to be removed from the college's fight song."As you may know, the word 'boy' back in the more ancient past was used as a derogatory word against Black men," Gatewood said. "And some individuals might not see the word 'boy' as incriminating or harmful. But when you have Black athletes actually over the age of 18, who are actually men, and you're telling those 'boys to fight,' it could be a bit demeaning or even more so if you're a female athlete. I was like, that probably needs to be changed because, as you know, UCO is doing great in regards to women's athletics."Gatewood said he sent an email to UCO's Diversity and Inclusion Office and learned university officials were already taking steps to address his concerns."A group of students and administrators are currently working together to make revisions to the university fight song that reflect an inclusive community, and that the process had started prior to receiving Mr. Gatewood’s concerns," UCO officials said in a statement to KOCO 5. "The goal is to have it ready to unveil at the beginning of the fall semester, just in time for fall sports. We’re heartened to have so many members of our Central community – students, faculty, staff and alumni – in alliance on enhancing inclusivity on campus."