The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    We are not Hammond, America

    female headshot

    Over the past few years, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend at our university. At football games and other events, people proudly declare that “Hammond, America” has more spirit than anywhere else. To that I have one thing to say: we are not “Hammond, America.”

    We live in the metropolitan area of Hammond, Louisiana, which has thrived in part thanks to the university. It’s fantastic to see a college town growing into a bigger, better city for the future generation. However, I can’t stand the thought of that generation picking up something so silly. 

    You see, there are at least 14 states that have a town or city named Hammond. That’s right, we are not the only Hammond in America.  

    I take pride in being from Louisiana, and I think that when people brush over the name of our state to call us “Hammond, America” they are making themselves look as uneducated as the rest of the country already thinks we are due to the media. When you say “Hammond, America,” you are disrespecting our state, and I feel personally disrespected for the use of such an incorrect label for this city.

    Sure, it may have been a joke the first few times someone said it, but things are starting to get out of hand. When students around the university start to say it as if they’re saying Hollywood, California, there’s a problem. Adding “America” doesn’t make it any more glamorous, so why make yourself sound ignorant?

    I would dare say people in Hammond, California, or Hammond, Illinois or Hammond, Kentucky would be offended. Those are just some of the Hammonds located in America. If any of them should claim the title “Hammond, America,” I would give it to Hammond, Indiana, the largest U.S. city bearing that name. 

    Now that I’ve laid down some facts, I’d like to encourage everyone to proudly declare their love for Hammond, Louisiana. We live in a great state. We attend a great university. Let’s all speak as if we’ve received a proper English education and show some respect to the city we live in. 

    I live in Hammond, Louisiana, home of the Southeastern Louisiana University Lions, and I do not believe in calling ourselves “Hammond, America” because we are not the only Hammond out there. We are one of a kind, because being in south Louisiana is what makes us so unique. 

    View Comments (4)
    Donate to The Lion's Roar
    $600
    $1000
    Contributed
    Our Goal

    Your donation will support The Lion's Roar student journalists at Southeastern Louisiana University.
    In addition, your contribution will allow us to cover our annual website hosting costs.
    No gift is too small.

    Donate to The Lion's Roar
    $600
    $1000
    Contributed
    Our Goal

    Comments (4)

    Comments and other submissions are encouraged but are subject to The Lion's Roar Comments and Moderation Policy. All views expressed are those of the author and should not be interpreted as the views of The Lion's Roar, the administration, faculty, staff, or students of Southeastern Louisiana University.
    All The Lion's Roar Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    • Y

      YasminNov 1, 2023 at 8:05 pm

      I was just thinking about this!!

      Reply
    • S

      SydneyAug 29, 2023 at 8:52 pm

      Agreed!

      Reply
    • H

      HammondMar 26, 2022 at 12:45 pm

      What a weird hill to take a stand on hahah

      Reply
      • J

        Jesse LohseApr 20, 2022 at 6:23 am

        Considering the first comment to the article took 7 years to come, I don’t think she made it to the hill before bowing out…

        Reply