When it comes to national pride, California isn't on your side.

Officials at Vista Del Lago High School have warned students not to chant “USA” at sporting events because it could be considered offensive and divisive.







Folsom Cordova Unified Communications Director Daniel Thigpen said:

“To practice empathy, to practice kindness and to practice patriotism. You can do both.”

California Interscholastic Federation Commissioner Mike Garrison told CBS, “There’s a time and a place to yell that and cheer that.”



The concerns apparently come from the chant being used in “derogatory ways” against students of a different ethnicity.



Parents think the school's opinion on the chant is ridiculous. Mother Natalie Woodbury told CBS:

“I want to chant USA because I want us to pull together and help, not because I want anybody to feel left out or not a part of our country.”

Senior Ryan Bernal told the station, “To say USA, you know, we’re all the same. We’re all American. It doesn’t matter what your skin tone is or where you’re from.”



What's next? Banning American flags in California schools? Oh wait...