The student section at the football games—composed of mostly seniors who are loud, rambunctious, high-spirited, colorful, and RUDE. Now, I’m not bashing the entire student section; there are some students who sit back idly and watch while others commit the crime. This year, I’ve been fortunate enough to attend all of the football games so far to take pictures. I’ve also been “fortunate” enough to hear statements like, “You suck number 4!” or “You’re trash number 32!” coming from our student section, directed to the opposing team.

Last year, I don’t remember the student section being this disrespectful. Maybe I was just ignorant; maybe I didn’t care. But to go over to the opposing team’s side of the field and hear the cheerleaders whispering about how disrespectful Rider students are, well…it’s just ridiculous. The worst part of all this is there hasn’t been a single game yet that I’ve not heard comments like, “Go home! We don’t want you here!” or worse  “Go back to Africa!” (Directed to Cedar Hill’s all African-American cheerleaders). When I went to Cedar Hill’s side of the field with the Raider Crew to meet the cheerleaders and their dance team, there was no disrespect. I didn’t hear anyone yelling at us to leave or go away. I didn’t hear any racially charged comments. I wonder what this says about the students that attend our school.

The prejudice that many have had to unfortunately experience in the time span of hundreds of years has been due to the one little mistake of blaming the many instead of the one. Unfortunately, this is exactly what our rival teams do…when they shouldn’t have to do it at all.

The only thing I hope is that the juniors and seniors next year won’t follow our example, but unfortunately, I’m afraid they will.

The hateful and rude comments that are thrown out at the football games are not, sadly, the only problems with the student section. Ice being thrown down at the band as they pass to make their performance is also a recurring problem. What’s even more disturbing—this is toward our very own band.

I’m not calling out anyone. I haven’t given out names or talked about any one person. The most important thing is that you know who you are and you know what you say and do at the football games. Through the opposing teams eyes, you represent more than just yourself. You represent all of Rider high school, and I do not want to be known for that.