Alabama HS stands by decision to send controversial ‘Dixie’ away, away

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Dixie prayer
Opponents of a decision to quit playing “Dixie” as the high school fight song pray before a city school board meeting in Arab, Ala., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. [Photo Credit: AP Photo | Jay Reeves]

Arab High School‘s longtime school’s fight song, “Dixie” was nixed earlier this month after complaints over the controversial song, calling it an anthem of slavery and racism, reached the campus.

Arab City Schools Superintendent John Mullins said the school board decided the song will no longer be allowed to play after touchdowns at football games.

Opponents of the decision crowded the city school board meeting Thursday night voicing their disapproval.

“I truly believe the vast majority of people in this community love ‘Dixie’ for the right reasons, as a school tradition and anthem of Southern heritage,” Arab High School teacher Russ Williams said during the meeting.

But Mullins said the issue has been decided and he’s not bringing ‘Dixie’ back.

He says the school’s band director has yet to decide on a replacement for the fight song.