‘REBELS’ NO MORE?
T.F. South alumni weigh in on possibility of retiring high school’s longtime nickname
As a Black man, Chris Clopton experienced racial strife long before the police killing of George Floyd brought race relations back to the forefront in this country.
On two occasions, the T.F. South and Purdue graduate said he was racially profiled by police officers.
“My junior year in high school, I was driving and picking up some food with my three (Black) friends at the McDonald’s on Torrence (Avenue) when our car got surrounded by cops with their guns pointed at me,” Clopton said. “I was told to get out of the car, and that I fit a description of a recent robbery.
“More recently, I was pulled over in Indiana for driving 3 miles per hour over the speed limit. The police officer asked why I was so nervous? I didn’t believe I did anything to get pulled over. Do I believe I was racially profiled? Yes. Does it upset me? Yes.
“But I don’t think every cop is racist or out to get me. What’s important is how you handle these types of situations.”
That brings us to Clopton’s alma mater, T.F. South, and the situation surrounding the school’s nickname, the Rebels.
A majority of the District 215 board supports change after a survey revealed 70% of current students favor retiring Rebels, a term applied to Confederate soldiers and their supporters during the Civil War.
The nickname was chosen in 1958 after the Thornton Fractional district was divided into North and South high schools.
South students saw themselves as breaking away from what became T.F. North.
Up until 1993, T.F. South had a Confederate flag waving on the top of its school. So there’s a bit of an ugly history.
While there has yet to be a formal announcement or approval of the nickname’s retirement, District 215 board president Michael Bolz and four other members are on record supporting the measure.
Clopton, who rushed for more than 3,600 yards and 47 touchdowns at T.F. South, asked thoughtful questions regarding the removal of the Rebels nickname.
“Are we doing this because of the heightened emotions in the country right now?” Clopton asked. “Will removing the Rebels name make a difference in the lives of the boys and girls of T.F. South? There are so many more important issues regarding race to discuss with students than changing the name.
“To me, removing the name sounds more like a political ploy than trying to make a difference in these kids’ lives.”
Pierre Thomas, a 2003 T.F. South graduate who went on to star at Illinois and won a Super Bowl during an eight-year NFL career, had a slightly different take on the topic.
“I can see why these kids want to change the name,” Thomas said. “They have a right to make a stand and let their voices be heard. But if you look up the word ‘rebels’ in the dictionary, it’s also an individual who fights for his beliefs. There’s something admirable about that.
“Maybe they can still use ‘Rebels,’ but change the colors of the school or bring a different meaning to it. When I was at T.F. South, the word ‘Rebels’ was never discussed in a way connected to racism. T.F. South, the teachers and the people at the school helped me become the man I am today.”
Michael Holba and his four siblings graduated from T.F. South. His father and stepmom still live in Lansing.
T.F. South had such a positive impact on the Holba family, they award a $1,200 scholarship in the family name every year to a student who best exemplifies leadership and academic excellence and who makes a difference in the community.
Holba, who is white, was a three-sport star who played baseball at Notre Dame.
“We never gave the Confederate imagery tied to the Rebels a second thought when I was a student at T.F. South,” he said. “I had a diverse mix of teammates. It was never a problem.
“But these are different times, and I can see where the imagery might be an issue. I believe the students, faculty and citizens in the community need to have their voices heard. I’m not there anymore. I don’t think I have a say. But I do want this to be well thought out and not rushed.” So would Clopton.
He wants the administration to open up the dialogue to others before making a final decision.
My first phone call would be to T.F. South graduate Curtis Granderson, who hit more than 300 home runs in a star-studded Major League Baseball career. Granderson wore his baseball pants to his knees throughout his career to honor the Negro Leagues.
This is a teachable moment, one that impressionable teenagers at T.F. South can certainly benefit from as they shape the future.
Clopton, Thomas and Holba made it clear, however, they will always be Rebels.
“I don’t think it should be up to the students to change the name,” Clopton said. “Let’s pump the brakes, take emotion out of it and have some conversations about changing the name. Then make a decision.
“Let’s work this out together as a community and treat each other with respect. Let’s roll up our sleeves, get dirty and help a brother and sister out. Changing the name will not change the heart of people or their perspectives.”