“You mad bro?” meme stirs racial tension at Ohio football game
By Andrew Couts
Digital Trends
September 5, 2011
Internet humor crossed over into the realm of the real world, and immediately started causing trouble this weekend, after a group of high schoolers held up a giant sign reading “You mad bro?” during a football game in Painesville, Ohio, on Friday night.
For the uninitiated, the phrase “you mad bro?” is a meme used primarily to incite anger in someone who’s already red in the face. It’s a classic troll tactic that’s been around for ages, at least online….
Of course, anyone who’s spent much time commenting on any number of websites knows that the “You mad bro?” meme, or any of its variations, has nothing to do with race, whatsoever. Is it insensitive and unsportsmanlike? Absolutely. Trolls are, by their very nature, insensitive. That’s what makes them trolls, online or off.
Should there be an investigation? Sure — especially since it’s likely to end with stuffy school administrators having to sift through the hilarious filth of 4chan, which would make this whole saga possibly the greatest troll ever concocted.
Sign Ignites Controversy After High School Football Game
By Emily Valdez
Fox 8
10:27 p.m. EDT, September 3, 2011
PAINESVILLE, Ohio—
Kirtland crushed Painesville Harvey during Friday night's high school football game, but it was what happened after the game that has people talking.
"At the conclusion of the game, some of their students and parents put up a sign that we believe was racial intimidation, ethnic intimidation," said Roderick Coffee, president of the Lake County chapter of the NAACP, who was also at the game.
"For them to put it up there that was bad sportsmanship, too," Painesville Harvey football player, Jerome Becks said.
The big sign read: 'You Mad Bro.'
"I think the reference to 'bro' in the sign definitely has a racial connection to it," said Michael Hanlon, superintendent for Painesville City Schools.
No doubt, the sign offended people.
But some don't believe it was meant to be racist.
"I really don't I think the kids were just trying to say, 'Are you mad?' But you still don't need to put a sign up like that, and there's so many parents that felt the same way I did," Kirtland parent, Edie Cymbal said.
According to the Urban Dictionary, which is basically the online Wikipedia of slang, the phrase 'you mad bro?' means "To make a ragin [sic] person rage even more by asking the most ironic question."
To use an older slang phrase, kicking someone when they are down.
Kirtland High School Principal Lynn Campbell says there will be a thorough investigation.
"Any mal-intent at any game no matter where, is not supported, you know, the lack of sportsmanship, from taunting to insensitivity," Campbell said.
[Thanks to The Man at Nation of Cowards, and asdf2277.]
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