Oh how the political correctness monster strikes one more time.
How blasphemous can you get with the parade of these cacamaimy
acts?
acts?
This time, it hits Fairfield, CA, specifically Armijo High. In an online
report that surfaced in today’s Fairfield Daily Republic, there was a
unanimous vote Thursday by the Fairfield-Suisun School District board
to accept the mascot committee’s recommendation that the Indian name
be replaced.
report that surfaced in today’s Fairfield Daily Republic, there was a
unanimous vote Thursday by the Fairfield-Suisun School District board
to accept the mascot committee’s recommendation that the Indian name
be replaced.
The Daily Republic also reported that public speakers supported both
sides of the issue with those favoring the change slightly outnumbering
those who wanted to keep the name. The cost of mascot removal and
other branding would range from $250,000-$500,000 with the costs
spanning a 3-5 year period.
sides of the issue with those favoring the change slightly outnumbering
those who wanted to keep the name. The cost of mascot removal and
other branding would range from $250,000-$500,000 with the costs
spanning a 3-5 year period.
Committee chairman Tim Goree told the Daily Republic that the group
sought input from the Yocha Dehe Wintun Tribe, which is the closest to
Fairfield. The tribe’s stance was strong on insisting the mascot removal.
sought input from the Yocha Dehe Wintun Tribe, which is the closest to
Fairfield. The tribe’s stance was strong on insisting the mascot removal.
It is not yet known when the name Indians will be removed and it is
also not decided what the next mascot name will be.
also not decided what the next mascot name will be.
It’s also not the first time we’ve seen events like this, which have become
common nationwide but for this writing, I’ll limit the focus to Northern
California in the interest of space. One year ago, Napa High, which was
the Indians, became the Grizzlies. Vallejo High, which was the Apaches,
became the Redhawks in 2016. Kelseyville High was the Indians and
has since become the Knights. Salesian High (Richmond, CA) has gone
from Chieftans to Pride.
common nationwide but for this writing, I’ll limit the focus to Northern
California in the interest of space. One year ago, Napa High, which was
the Indians, became the Grizzlies. Vallejo High, which was the Apaches,
became the Redhawks in 2016. Kelseyville High was the Indians and
has since become the Knights. Salesian High (Richmond, CA) has gone
from Chieftans to Pride.
Having seen these changes take place and become more common, my
outrage has not waned. I thought it was horrible the first time I saw it,
and I think it is horrible now. Those in favor of such moves normally
make arguments that include but are not limited to using Native
American names and images being offensive and racist to indigenous
people. Supporters of such mascot names insist that the names honor
Native Americans rather than stereotyping them in a negative light.
Such people also lambaste those in favor of the change because of
political correctness.
outrage has not waned. I thought it was horrible the first time I saw it,
and I think it is horrible now. Those in favor of such moves normally
make arguments that include but are not limited to using Native
American names and images being offensive and racist to indigenous
people. Supporters of such mascot names insist that the names honor
Native Americans rather than stereotyping them in a negative light.
Such people also lambaste those in favor of the change because of
political correctness.
The view on mascots and what they represent is in the eye of the beholder.
That said, I am not in favor of changing such mascots but to those who
oppose my view, I’m not going to change them. While I’m a firm
believer in everyone having the right to their point of view, the pitfalls
are that regardless of issue, too many people think their opinion
represents all.
That said, I am not in favor of changing such mascots but to those who
oppose my view, I’m not going to change them. While I’m a firm
believer in everyone having the right to their point of view, the pitfalls
are that regardless of issue, too many people think their opinion
represents all.
It does not, it only represents yours and those who share your point of
view. I have met those with Native American roots say they don’t like
what the mascot depictions represent, which is to be expected. However,
I have met countless others utter things to the effect of “I’m part Choctaw,
Mayan Indian, etc, and I don’t find it offensive.” My point is, if it doesn’t
bother them, why should it bother me?
view. I have met those with Native American roots say they don’t like
what the mascot depictions represent, which is to be expected. However,
I have met countless others utter things to the effect of “I’m part Choctaw,
Mayan Indian, etc, and I don’t find it offensive.” My point is, if it doesn’t
bother them, why should it bother me?
Changes like this appear well-intended on the surface but serve as an
opening to undraw other lines. What’s next, bird lovers don’t want names
like Cardinals or Eagles? Atheists don’t want names like Saints? Can you
say “slippery slope?” I could name countless other examples but in the
interest of space, I won’t.
opening to undraw other lines. What’s next, bird lovers don’t want names
like Cardinals or Eagles? Atheists don’t want names like Saints? Can you
say “slippery slope?” I could name countless other examples but in the
interest of space, I won’t.
As one who graduated from the University of Nebraska, I was there when
the marketing staff began making a push to go from Cornhuskers to
Huskers. The perception was that those on the coastal states thought of
Nebraskans as a bunch of hayseeds. As if changing the mascot name
was going to suddenly change people’s perceptions.
the marketing staff began making a push to go from Cornhuskers to
Huskers. The perception was that those on the coastal states thought of
Nebraskans as a bunch of hayseeds. As if changing the mascot name
was going to suddenly change people’s perceptions.
Another reason for the changes being idiotic is because of the
aforementioned costs. While I am not privy to FUSD’s current financial
temperature, the district is routinely in bad shape. With housing costs
driving families out of the Bay Area as well as California, that situation
is not likely to change any time soon.
aforementioned costs. While I am not privy to FUSD’s current financial
temperature, the district is routinely in bad shape. With housing costs
driving families out of the Bay Area as well as California, that situation
is not likely to change any time soon.
Does the phrase, “putting the cart before the horse” mean anything to
you? While we’re at it, does the phrase of “spending money you don’t
have” mean anything to you?
you? While we’re at it, does the phrase of “spending money you don’t
have” mean anything to you?
This change is also bound to have some other unintended consequences.
Here’s a story that should serve as a cautionary tale. I was talking to the
Vallejo High Athletic Director Josh Ramos two years ago when covering
the American Canyon-Vallejo football game as a freelance writer for the
Napa Valley Register. I covered Ramos at a different point in my career
(early 2000s) when he was a student-athlete at Vallejo while his father
(Tony) was the athletic director at crosstown rival Jesse Bethel. Ramos
told me that Vallejo High lost a lot of alumni support as a result of their
mascot change from Apaches to Redhawks.
Here’s a story that should serve as a cautionary tale. I was talking to the
Vallejo High Athletic Director Josh Ramos two years ago when covering
the American Canyon-Vallejo football game as a freelance writer for the
Napa Valley Register. I covered Ramos at a different point in my career
(early 2000s) when he was a student-athlete at Vallejo while his father
(Tony) was the athletic director at crosstown rival Jesse Bethel. Ramos
told me that Vallejo High lost a lot of alumni support as a result of their
mascot change from Apaches to Redhawks.
It made me think of what we endured here in Napa. As a result, both
schools have seen alumni support diminish, though Napa’s advantage
over Vallejo is that it has a booster club.
schools have seen alumni support diminish, though Napa’s advantage
over Vallejo is that it has a booster club.
Loss of support also adds up to loss of dollars. The lost support could take
multiple decades to regain.
multiple decades to regain.
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