I hear there's a stir all over the Metro East about the threatened loss of High School Mascots named after Native American groups.
I imagine there would be several affected schools around the State of Illinois.
The Warriors, Kahoks and Comanches come to mind.
I have some opinions and will gladly share they way that it really should be, but first I would just step back and invite discussion...and then I'll mill back in for that dose of brilliance you all have been waiting for. Everything I said in my post above. And.... Foxtrot Delta Tango
Re: High School Mascot
Posted by Soccer on April 12, 2025, 10:55 am, in reply to "High School Mascot"
I do have an opinion on this, but it's not set in stone so others opinions might shape mine... wishy washy? maybe, but here are my thoughts.
Names of schools and sports teams based on Native American Tribes or groups are intended to project pride, strength, toughness, sportsmanship and to honor the history of the area where the school exists. Some Teams are named for animals... Tigers, Bulldogs etc and the same holds true as far as the image they project.
I think the problem occurs when mascots are used to demonstrate negative stereotypes, caricatures, behaviors that Native American people might find offensive.
If you read about the details in this law, it's very complicated, there are exceptions.
It seems as though "Warriors" would be permissable, but "Kahoks" would not because that's a recognized Tribe.
There's a lot of community pride and history in these Native American names, maybe I'm not fully aware of the objections. Maybe, take a hard look at activities that might cast a negative stereotype, but leave the names alone.
I have two thoughts.... one practical...and another the way it should be, but never will be, because of the limited scope of our myopic society.
1. The opinion that people will take seriously. WARRIORS....can be any type of warrior. Just touch it up, and be a different kind of Warrior. Who said it had to be a Native American Warrior. I think when North and South came back together, they should have kept the Steeler Moniker, but that's okay....Be Warriors....but not Native American Warriors. There's all kinds of warriors in history. Hell, you can even be a Warrior on Land, Air, Sea and even in space.
2. The Deeistic solution that goes beyond that myopia of mainstream American Thought... --- Get our tax dollars out of the athletic industry and spend our educational dollars on LEARNING.
Then these teams can be anything they want to be because you and I are no longer paying for them. Everything I said in my post above. And.... Foxtrot Delta Tango
As someone who wore the jersey of our school, I can tell you that sports are an extension of the classroom.
Teamwork, dedication, perseverance and life-long friendships were all forged somewhere between the gym and Fehling Road.
It’s easy to say “defund sports”, but it would also be easy to say the same thing about the band & theater.
Keep it funded, keep the kids engaged in representing their community, keep supporting your chosen program after you’ve graduated and take pride in being from Granite City.
We will always be Warriors. Aaaaarggghhh! Chainsaaaaawww!
Two things surprised me so far with this thread. One, the Pillow Guy responded in plain English instead of his usual word soup. Secondly, I agree with Soccer.If you don't read the papers, you're uninformed. If you read the papers, you're misinformed. - Mark Twain
I agree with Soccer and My Pillow also makes good points.
My children played in sports and I think they were important because it teaches them how to win and lose with respect for the other team.
I think that it is important in their adulthood to learn respect for others in the working world.
Sport/band or other clubs help students feel that they are a part of the school and it does give them pride in their school and they make lifelong friendships.
I know my view is way out of convention and probably accounts for 1% of the general public's view, but it is possible to get a topic that isn't divided in the MAGA, non-MAGA world.
I for one see this as a non-issue, as schools should be places for learning and the funding should be used for that purpose.
But hey, if 99% of the taxpayers want to be responsible for kids' social lives too, then that's fine with me.
I would be more liberal on the FEEDING of the kids and things like that.
But I'm just happy to see people rallying around something in the community and not being the Critical thinking people vs. Trump Sycophants all the time.
Everything I said in my post above. And.... Foxtrot Delta Tango
on April 11, 2025, 9:06 pm