The Cardinal Divas are a majorette dance squad similar in nature to those mostly seen on the campuses of our nation’s HBCUs. Part spirit squad, part dance troupe, and always killing the game, these dance squads do something known as “j-setting,” a style of dance popularized by the squad at Jackson State University. Unlike white majorettes, Black majorettes do away with the traditional batons in favor of high kicks and mind-blowing choreography that can be done sitting in the stands as well as on the field.

Why are so many Black people bothered by the new Black majorette squad at USC? 

For theGrio, I discuss all the backlash received by the young Black woman who helped create a majorette squad, similar to those seen at HBCUs, at the University of Southern California, a predominantly white institution.