An Inclusive Litany

3/25/96

Penthouse, March 1996:
A New Jersey high school principal suspended three students after they uttered the word "oi" (a British punk-rock expression) during a talent competition. The principal said two persons had complained to him that the students, in fact, said "oy," a Yiddish expression that, loosely translated, means "Oh my." Although it is unclear how merely saying the word can possibly be construed as anti-Semitic, the principal said, "When it comes to racism and anti-Semitism, we're certainly going to come down on the side of caution." Police were called to investigate a possible bias crime, but declared the incident "utter confusion," which also happens to be the name of the band.