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MASCOTS THAT HONOR: NATICK REDMEN

Posted on February 13, 2008 - Filed Under MASCOTS THAT HONOR, Indian Mascots |

About a year ago, on March 5, 2007, the School Committee for Natick High School in Natick, Mass., voted to abandon the “Redmen” mascot because some considered it racist and outdated. A new mascot was supposed to be selected and in place for the 2008-09 school year. However, a group of “Redmen” loyalists presented a petition to the local government demanding that the issue be placed on the March 25, 2008, ballot.

The approximate 1,800 petitioners claim that they are trying to preserve Natick pride and family tradition. The petitioners have the support of arguably their most famous graduate, Heisman trophy winner, Doug Flutie. Mr. Flutie apparently said that people should quit “walking on eggshells.”

Predictably, the Natick Indian mascot loyalist points to tradition, pride and a desire to “honor Indians” as the reasons to keep their Indian icon. They also express contempt and intolerance for Indians who don’t share their deep rooted tradition, pride and honor in their mascot. They accuse us of having nothing better to do but harass them. They say that there are bigger issues facing Indians, and that our time would be better spent addressing those issues.

To the Indian mascot loyalist, I say, “look in the mirror.” Who has spent the better part of a year steaming and stewing because your beloved “Redmen” has been taken from you? How much time, money and energy has been spent in an effort to place this on the ballot. Isn’t there other issues more pressing in your community than trying to preserve a racist icon? At least you aren’t as bad as the University of North Dakota, who spent over $2 million dollars on attorney fees fighting the NCAA in federal court in an attempt to keep their “Fighting Sioux” logo.

To the Natick “Redmen” community, Honor Indians Institute disagrees with your belief that Indian mascots “honor Indians.” We believe that Indian mascots perpetuate ignorance about tribes and tribal members. However, we strongly support your democratic efforts to be heard. Regardless of the outcome, we would politely request that you stop with the hypocrisy stated in your Natick School Mission Statement. As posted on your school website, it reads:

“Our Mission: Natick High School is a community of learners dedicated to helping all students reach their highest academic, physical and social potential. Within a supportive and respectful environment, students are encouraged to be informed, responsible and productive citizens. Recognizing the diversity of our students and the different ways in which they develop, we use a variety of teaching and assessment strategies and offer a range of educational opportunities. Through every aspect of school life, we seek to foster personal responsibility, integrity and honesty in all members of the Natick High School community. The Natick Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.”

Please state how you are creating a “supportive and respectful” environment for your students when local tribal members and leaders tell you that the “Redmen” mascot is racist and offensive, and you disregard their opinion anyway. Please state how “informed and responsible” can you be about tribes and tribal members when you can totally disregard their customs and beliefs to satisfy your misinformed race based traditions. Are you really seeking to “foster personal responsibility, integrity and honesty” when what you are really saying is to hell with what you Indians think, we want OUR Indian back! I believe Mr. Flutie summed up your real pent up feelings by suggesting that you are tired of “walking on eggshells” or caring about what Indians care or feel, it’s all about us, and what we want. Finally, how can you, with a straight face, state that you don’t discriminate on the basis of race, color and sex, when your desired “Redmen” symbol for your educational institution is based on RACE, COLOR and SEX (gender)?

Our primary mission is to educate, and hopefully provide an alternative to Indian mascot imagery. We have developed a couple of alternatives for the Natick High School community to consider.

First, to Mr. Flutie, if you are really tired of walking on eggshells, we suggest throwing caution to the wind, and just stomping on a couple dozen of p/c eggshells. Please consider “honoring” the African American community by adopting the NATICK NEGROES!!!

If you are not prepared to proudly wear this ICON on the front of your uniform, then why an INDIAN?

Our second alternative is offered as a “compromise” to the Redmen. This option is meant to incorporate “Redmen” into a more sensitive, historically correct and regionally acceptable ICON! We offer for your consideration: THE NATICK RedWhitenBlueMen!