RED RAIDER LOGO IN JEOPARDY
Spaulding High mascot viewed as insensitive to American Indians JPEG version
FOSTER'S DAILY DEMOCRAT (Dover, NH)
Friday, March 24, 2006
Amanda Dumond — Democrat Staff Writer
ROCHESTER — Administrators are on a fact-finding mission to learn more about the creation of Spaulding High School's mascot and logo after an alumnus asked that the Red Raider emblem be changed.
In a letter sent to the superintendent's office earlier this month, Peter Sanfaçon, Class of 1977 and now of Framingham, Mass., said the mascot and logo that depicts an American Indian is inappropriate and insensitive.
He quoted a resolution passed in August 2002 by the New Hampshire Board of Education calling for local school districts to stop using American Indian sports mascots as well as a similar resolution adopted by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in 2001.
"Several years have gone by since these resolutions were issued and Spaulding High School's 'Red Raider' is still here," he wrote. "School representatives claim that the name and logo are 'honoring' Native Americans. Do we honor Native Americans by calling them 'Red' and then using that color in our sports teams' uniforms? Do we honor Native Americans by referring to them as 'Raiders'? What honor is there in depicting an entire race of people as aggressive and violent? The name 'Red Raiders' honors no one."
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| Portion of granite sign at the front of the school |
Sanfaçon also suggested that a comprehensive course in Native American studies be part of the history and social studies curriculum for juniors and seniors and noted Northwood, Goffstown, Lebanon, Kingston and Penacook have changed their American Indian mascots.
The debate over whether to change the mascot has been ongoing. About six years ago an open forum of educators and community members was held but no changes were made, Athletic Director David Colson said.
The discussion has started again with Sanfaçon's letter, and Spaulding's alumni association has posted a poll asking alumni whether the mascot should be changed. At the March 16 Special Services Committee's meeting, School Board members directed administration to look into the matter further.
Colson said he has spoken with alumni and will speak with the historical society about when the mascot came into existence to figure out why the Red Raider was chosen. He and others believe it may have been around the time Rochester High School opened its doors in the early 1900s. Community members are encouraged to give their input.
At the Special Services Committee meeting, all sides of the argument were heard. Dorothy "Dot" Callaghan, who teaches at School Street School, shared her experience working summers on an Arizona American Indian reservation for 16 years. The tribes she worked with celebrated the recognition and were not offended by the use of the Red Raider representing Rochester schools, she said.
Sanfaçon shared the position of many other American Indians in opposition to such a mascot and the issue of racial discrimination because of the red face.
Colson said the reason the mascot has not yet been changed is that there are community members and alumni who associate it with good memories at the high school.
"Our mascot is deeply rooted in our community," he said. "There's a lot of tradition and pride there. There are a lot of alumni who are very proud of the mascot because it's a big piece of their experiences."
Anyone with information or concerns about the mascot should contact Assistant Superintendent Kent Hemingway at 332-3678 or Colson at 332-0757 ext. 243.
