Why not a White Raider logo?
To the Editor:
According to the 2000 census, Rochester, New Hampshire, is over 97% white. In contrast, the same census shows that those declaring themselves as Native American compose less than one-quarter of one-percent of Rochester's population.
Considering that it was the white immigrants who decimated the indigenous population with their chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction, such as alcohol, smallpox, and measles, it seems a revision is in order for Spaulding High School's ethnic "Red Raider" sports team token.
After all, wasn't it the white invaders who stole the indigenous peoples' land and cheated them and put bounties on their scalps? Wasn't it the white terrorists who, with unrestrained religious fervor, gave thanks to their God for endowing them with the means of slaughtering indigenous men, women, and children they deemed as "uncivilized savages?"
Judging from the census figures, history, and the attitudes now displayed by those who advocate retaining Spaulding’s institutionalized "Indian" sports team icon, it is unmistakable who the "raiders" are, both past and present.
Therefore, in the interest of historical accuracy, equal opportunity, balance, and fairness, Spaulding should change its current "Red Raiders" nickname to the "White Raiders."
Such a fitting tribute and gesture of "honor" and "respect" to the historical European thieves and their contemporary descendents should rightly include a "White Raider" logo consisting of a filthy, bloated, mottle-faced drunkard with bulbous nose, stringy hair, rotting teeth, and black "pilgrim’s hat." After all, truthfulness is important and, besides, it’s "only" a nickname and "only" a logo, right?
Thanks to its spineless school board and certain rabid white isolationists, Rochester, New Hampshire, is fast gaining a national reputation as being as unfriendly and ignorant a place as it is backward and unenlightened. However, it is not too late for the mounting damage and bad publicity to be undone.
Understanding that an institutionalized "Indian" sports team token is no longer appropriate in a publicly funded school of the 21st century and taking steps to remedy that disgraceful, antiquated practice is a good place to start.
Robert Eurich
American Indian Sports Team Mascots
