Allegations of Racist and Homophobic Remarks Mar High School Marching Band Event

The Wildkits marching band made a striking entrance at Evanston Township High School’s auditorium on Monday night. Their vibrant orange and blue uniforms dominated the scene during the annual Band Day event, showcasing performances from the high school marching band, wind symphony, jazz ensemble, and the Evanston/Skokie School District 65’s eighth-grade band.

This event offered some relief for attendees, as three nights prior, the marching band and color guard allegedly faced racist and homophobic comments at a football game against New Trier High School. The game took place at the new $875 million New Ryan Field in Evanston, intended to celebrate camaraderie and diversity. However, the experience turned sour for some.

Paula Lieberman, whose daughter is captain of the ETHS color guard, recounted that her daughter and fellow bandmates were subjected to derogatory comments from New Trier fans. Chanting included racial slurs and vitriolic remarks like “go kill yourselves.” Lieberman expressed her distress, stating, “It’s consumed me since my daughter came home Friday night. The team was really shook up.”

Isaac Rochon, a sophomore saxophone player, described hearing racial and homophobic slurs from the New Trier student section in the end zone. Despite the offensive remarks, the band maintained professionalism, focusing on their performance. Rochon witnessed a peer being spit on by a New Trier student. He emphasized, “We continue to speak out because the band wasn’t the only group affected, and this isn’t a first occurrence.”

Jenima Lyon’s daughter, a senior in the marching band, heard slurs and “disturbing” comments too. Lyon lamented the lack of support and consequences for the offenders. She noted that many students couldn’t document the event as they were performing without phones. “The performance was significant for them, but prejudiced actions overshadowed their enthusiasm,” she said.

The superintendents of the two school districts, Marcus Campbell and Peter Tragos, acknowledged in a joint statement that the ETHS Marching Band experienced racist and homophobic comments from New Trier fans. They assured stakeholders that both administrations are actively investigating and seeking information from witnesses.

Niki Dizon, New Trier’s Chief Communications Officer, highlighted the ongoing investigation and reiterated the district’s intolerance for discrimination. She mentioned plans to collaborate with staff and the student Belonging Council to reinforce the school’s values.

ETHS alum Jamie Deutch Noll attended the Band Day showcase, reflecting on similar experiences from her time as a student. She underscored Evanston’s diverse community and the importance of preserving its values despite challenges. “That occasion was a celebration for both teams, but fans’ actions marred the spirit,” she remarked.

Raechel Alexander, a parent of a percussionist in the marching band, condemned the behavior as appalling. She stressed the need for awareness and action, especially from those not directly targeted by hateful speech. “We must teach our children to stand up against such negativity,” Alexander insisted.