Boston Globe
Sunday, February 18, 2007

The logic of keeping Indian mascots is a farce

The debate in "Will some teams be name-droppers?" (Globe South, Feb. 8) has been on the table long before I was a student at Wayland High School from 1989-1993. At one point the Wayland Warriors featured an Indian head as its mascot. While Wayland has long retired the offensive Indian head, they have replaced it with the equally offensive arrow. I do not have any reservations with using the name "Warriors" as long as it is not attached to any one ethnicity or group.

I know that folks on the other side of this debate will tell you the use of the images and names of Indians is a tribute to their fighting spirit that endures through centuries of atrocities and tribulations. It is a powerful and respectful reminder of their will that is honored. However, can these folks tell you about the history of Native Americans in the region or the country? Are they providing student-athletes with an understanding of the names and symbols? The answer is no. The logic behind not changing the names is a farce. While there may be a significant financial impact, I do not accept it as an impediment to changing names or mascots.

While the MIAA may have questions about their legal authority to require schools to change their mascots and or names, they should not question the moral compass which tells them that it is the right thing to and, at a minimum, reprimand schools with offensive mascots or names.

Dustun Ashton
Washington, D.C.