New England Anti-Mascot Coalition

Spaulding High to keep Red Raiders mascot

BOSTON GLOBE—ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, April 12, 2006

ROCHESTER — Rochester residents like their Red Raiders.

Spaulding High School students, alumni, teachers, city councilors and other residents told the School Board on Tuesday night they don't want their high school mascot name changed. They said the symbol is a deeply ingrained emblem of school pride.

So the board will keep the Native American logo for its school and teams.

An alumnus, Peter Sanfaçon of Framingham, Mass., asked the board to consider changing the mascot, saying it's racist.

"The issue is one of education," he said. "What are we teaching our children about racial tolerance and what are we teaching them about real Native Americans? Our schools must prepare our children to live in a diverse society. In a city that is 97 percent white, it is imperative that racism is recognized and addressed, and the issues resolved, rather than continuing to ignore it. Pretending this is not racism is completely missing the point."

Residents thanked Sanfaçon for reigniting the debate, but did not agree that the issue was about racism. The Red Raider represents the spirit and solidarity of the school and community, they said.

"In my nine years on the board I've never heard anyone was offended by the mascot, and believe me we hear about (complaints) on the board," School Board Chair Nancy Warren said.

Many people spoke in favor of the mascot on Tuesday, and more than 300 signatures were collected at the high school.

The origin of the Red Raider logo is unclear. School officials believe it had originated sometime in the 1920s and was referenced in the literary magazine, "Red and White." The Red Raider has not made appearances at ball games since the 1970s. School officials also learned that the Red Raider was never used in reference with American Indians until the 1950s.

Roland Jerome, a Micmac Indian and chief and founder of the United Native American Cultural Center in Devens, Mass., said at the hearing that his people are more concerned with pep rallies and half-time entertainment that could use American Indian mascots in a derogatory manner. Jerome said people from various American Indian nations at the center did not find anything wrong with the logo or the name Red Raider.

"As long as it is used right, we are honored to have it used by the hockey and football teams," Jerome said. "The feeling of the native people is that it is not offensive."