Spaulding High School's "Red Raider" symbol debated
BOSTON GLOBE
Saturday, November 25, 2006
ROCHESTER, N.H. — School officials are debating the future of Spaulding High School's Native American mascot.
Superintendent Mike Hopkins worries the "Red Raider"—depicting an American Indian man's face in profile—is a simmering problem that needs to be dealt with.
"We don't know if five years from now it will be a civil rights issue," he said.
But the board is divided over whether to keep the symbol, which appears on sports uniforms and other school attire.
Board members Peggy Parker and Bob Watson say it's time to retire the Red Raider, but the majority of the board disagrees, noting the community's pride for the symbol, as well as the cost of removing it from sports uniforms, the community center floor and a granite sign outside the school.
Board member John Connelly doesn't see a problem with using the Red Raider, so long as it is done respectfully.
"I think the community does want to keep it, but the question is now how to use it respectfully," he said. "I'm OK with the emblem, but we don't need it all over the place."
Board member Jae Duntley said she knows Spaulding's logo is being discussed by local tribes and wants to get their view on the matter. The board hopes to hold a public forum on the Red Raider's future within a year.
"We don't need to be emotional about it, but we do need to talk about it," said Connelly. "And the board still needs to think ahead and be strategic."
Complaints about the Red Raider also surfaced in April, when 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 then. "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."
Then, board members sided with students, alumni, teachers, city councilors, and other residents who wanted to keep the Red Raider.
Spaulding High School plans to offer a class on Native American studies next year.
___
Information from Foster's Daily Democrat
This Associated Press story also appeared in the:
Union Leader
Portsmouth Herald
Concord Monitor
Conway Daily Sun
Rutland Herald
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
WHDH-TV
