To begin my newest (and essentially my first) foray into the blogosphere, I have decided to write about something that has been on my mind for the last few months. I am a high schooler, attending school in a small, midwestern town. The school I attend has a mascot that has caught quite a bit of negative attention in years past. Other schools in the area have complained about it, members of the community have spoken up, and a former superintendent even campaigned to do away with it. To this day however, the mascot of my school district remains unchanged. The school district's mascot has been "The Savages" with a Native American's face as the emblem for decades.
The problem with the mascot should be quite obvious, but in recent years the opposition has dwindled. Few have taken up the banner of political correctness. This is not surprising, because I believe that many have simply come to accept our mascot for what it is. I myself am guilty of this oversight. I am coming to the end of my high school career, and up until now I barely gave the moniker of "Savages" a second thought. Now though, I realize just what the term "Savages" implies and I cannot help but be offended by when used to describe a Native American.
The mascot should be changed. There can be no doubt about that. It is blatantly offensive to an ethnic minority, which is something that ought not be tolerated. I recognize, however, that my small town has a long way to go. Many people love our mascot and rally quickly behind the mantra of "Savage Pride!" when its appropriateness is called into question. There's nothing wrong with taking pride in your school or in your community, but sometimes you have to give up what is popular, and simply do what is right for the sake of others, if not yourself. I hope that in time, my community will learn this and change its mascot to something less insulting towards Native Americans.
Good point, Theo! A lot of us have allowed ourselves to "get used to" familiar usages or symbols that may be offensive or denigrating to others. Sometimes, we don't even realize it, until someone else points it out. Other times, it may only need a leader to point it out. Change is hard. But it happens constantly. Sometimes fought for and celebrated (or derided) when it comes; sometimes quietly, almost as a surprise.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work. You benefit by practicing to be a thinking man (and by so doing, becoming more thoughtful). We need more people like that.