Sat Jun 9, 2007 8:54 AM
Subject: WLC 'warrior' mascot
Dear Mr. Sanfaçon,
The WLC school board would like to thank you for the thoughts and concerns expressed in your May 4 letter to SAU 63 Superintendent Francine Fullam, which she shared with the Wilton Lyndeborough Cooperative School board at our last meeting.
We would like to assure you that the Warriors logo used at WLC reflects no intentional bias against any ethnic group or individual, and is intended to imply nothing about the behavior or characteristics of Indian peoples.
The WLC school board does not and would not tolerate demeaning actions toward any individual based on his or her membership or identity.
We can see from the information you provided how strongly opposed you are to Indian mascots of any type, with little or no moderation evident based on the actual logo, or on a school's history or intent. We will not try to sway your opinion. We would like to think we understand where you are coming from, but surely will never have the perspective of someone from a culture that was unconscionably destroyed.
We hope that you can understand, though, that longstanding traditions and self-identification do not change overnight. We're open to the idea of raising the issue at an assembly next year. It could spark a discussion that might bring about desire for change from within.
In the long run, board members believe, such an approach would be socially and educationally rewarding, no matter the outcome.
Sincerely,
Jean Scagel
WLC board chair
Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:46 AM
Subject: Re: WLC 'warrior' mascot
Dear Ms. Scagel,
Thank you for your considerate response to my recent letter regarding the Warriors logo at WLC. I appreciated the comments you'd made during the school board meeting, which were quoted in the June 7 Cabinet Press: "If someone finds it offensive, that could be reason enough to get rid of those things ... If it's the right thing to do, we're supposed to provide some leadership." I believe it is the right thing to do and providing leadership is precisely what the N.H. Board of Education intended when they unanimously adopted their resolution in 2002 calling for all school districts to examine this issue and eliminate these nicknames and logos. They've left the responsibility for providing leadership to those at the district level. Well now it's up to those at the district level to step up and make some important decisions with respect to diversity education in our public schools.
We at the New England Anti-Mascot Coalition understand that most of the high schools using Native American-themed logos and nicknames for their sports teams (95 of them in New England alone) had only honorable intentions when these traditions were begun so many years ago. We also understand that these traditions are woven into the fabric of each community. Change can be difficult for those who have fond memories of their high school days. But these changes are being made across the country and New Hampshire played a significant role more than 30 years ago. The sports teams at Dartmouth College in Hanover had been known as the "Indians" until protests from Native American students on campus led to a change to "Big Green" in the early 1970s. More recently high schools in Goffstown, Lebanon, Northwood, and Penacook have made similar changes. Each of these schools, no doubt, still takes great pride in their students' achievements on the athletic field and in the classroom.
The "Warriors" nickname is not an issue, in and of itself, but the stereotypical depiction of a Native American man in full Plains-style headdress in the context of sports activities is a serious concern. Surely there are other depictions of warriors one could illustrate that don't disrespect any ethnic or racial group.
Two documents that cannot be negated when discussing this issue is the 2001 statement by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the 1993 statement by the National Congress of American Indians. Both organizations call for the end of this practice. Copies of these documents can be found on the Internet at the links below.
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
National Congress of American Indians
Another issue that arises during discussions such as these is the cost of implementing changes. We are not advocating wholesale changes to every sports team's uniforms or school stationery or building facilities all at once. These changes can be implemented when new uniforms are ordered according to the district's regular schedule and according to the athletic department's budget. Other materials and facilities can be redone, repainted, and refurbished using volunteers and donated materials.
Superintendent Fullam had quoted a segment of commentary from my website in which I was critical of those who opposed change at Rochester's Spaulding High School. I was born and raised in Rochester and graduated from Spaulding in the 1970s. The meeting that prompted those remarks took place in April 2006 and was an event attended by about 60 citizens who didn't want their "Red Raiders" nickname changed, despite the State Board's 2002 resolution. Since that day Rochester school officials have been working with the NEAMC and they have formed a community committee to continue discussions on the mascot issue. The most encouraging development is Spaulding's Fall 2007 introduction of the first course in "Native American Indian Studies" in the school's 68-year history. How many New England high schools using "Indian" sports mascots, nicknames, and logos are actually teaching their students about real, living American Indian people?
The New England Anti-Mascot Coalition supports efforts to bring Native American Studies programs to every high school throughout New England. We believe that Dee Brown's "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" should be required reading at every high school. We support efforts to end the teaching of "westward expansion" and "Manifest Destiny" from the Euro-American perspective in favor of teaching about dispossession, ethnocentrism, forced assimilation, and genocide, and how these factors also played a role in the formation of the United States of America. It is my hope that opening a dialogue (whether it personally includes me or not) within the Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School District will lead to a higher quality of education for all students.
I appreciate your enduring this very long email and I thank you again for your respectful and professional correspondence. I look forward to meeting you one day and perhaps discussing this issue in person.
Sincerely,
Peter Sanfaçon
New England Anti-Mascot Coalition