Poll: We love our school symbols
Manchester Union Leader – January 11, 2007
By JOHN WHITSON
Union Leader Staff
MANCHESTER – Readers participating in an online poll overwhelmingly rejected the idea that two city high schools have offensive symbols.
The response to UnionLeader.com was immediate and heavy, and readers spoke with nearly one voice.
More than 86 percent of people responding to the poll asking whether Central High's Little Green Indian logo is an appropriate symbol for the school's sports teams said "yes." Support for the Memorial High Crusader hit 89 percent.
By late-afternoon yesterday, more than 750 people had responded. The issue touched a nerve across the demographic spectrum, with the most responses from people in their 40s. A higher percentage of people 70 or over responded to the poll than did people under 20.
The issue became fodder for debate this week when Central's 2005 class president denounced the symbols at a school board meeting. Ibrahim Elshamy wants the schools to drop the images and has established a Web site called HateMascot.com.
Discussion of the issue at that Web site was somewhat heated yesterday, with supporters and detractors of Elshamy's stance sending comments back and forth.
The school board, after hearing Elshamy's concerns, asked a committee to review the two symbols. The principals of both schools said they have no problem with their school's respective image.
Reader comments to UnionLeader.com were largely dismissive, with people saying school officials shouldn't be so quick to respond to the protests of one person.
"Stop enabling this young man's cause," wrote Shelby Phillips-Goupil, a 1980 Central graduate. "The more press he receives the more of a 'crusade' he will be on."
Chris Morin of Manchester wrote, "It's time we stopped worrying about things like this and started worrying about things that matter. As a taxpayer, I want the school board working on things that are constructive ... not deciding if the logos are offensive."
Although a distinct minority, there was scattered support for changing the symbols.
"Central is the oldest and most culturally diverse public high school in N.H. and it should set an example for the state. A culturally insensitive mascot that is potentially offensive and divisive is inappropriate for 2006," wrote Leslie Hall, 1997 Central class president.
But the sentiments of 1981 Central graduate Thom Lavoie reflected the majority view. "Central's Native American profile depicts a positive image not a cartoon savage. I would agree with demeaning pictures, such as the Cleveland Indians' Chief Yahoo, may be offensive, but the Little Green's image is respectful to the minority's ancestry."
Dozens of respondents from outside the city wondered whether their own high school symbol and nickname would be the next targeted for change, and plenty of West High graduates pondered the future of the Blue Knights.
"I'm sure that even if Bambi was a school symbol that someone would find it offensive," wrote West graduate James Flynn of Waltham, Mass. "Does this also mean that the West High Blue Knight is also in jeopardy?"
Central is the state's oldest public high school, but it was Memorial's history that drew many readers to defend the Crusader.
"Memorial High School was erected in tribute to those men and women of Manchester who participated in WWII in all the theaters of war ..." wrote Guy Plante of Manchester, adding he taught at Memorial for 27 years and never heard a complaint about the Crusader symbol. "For your information, a 'crusader' is also used to refer to one who fights for ANY cause, not merely a religious one."
Kathy (Brassard) Upham, a 1965 Memorial graduate, wrote: "I watched that building go up as a seventh-grader. I remember my father's pride at the reminders of the American armed forces outside of, and in the lobby of the high school."
People who praised the Little Green Indian as a source of pride far outnumbered those who saw it as a source for shame.
"I am a full-blooded Mi'kmaq Indian, born and raised on an Indian reservation," wrote Joseph Francis of Manchester. He said four of his children are Central graduates, and two of them were athletes who competed while wearing the Indian logo.
"The symbol represents dignity, honor and camaraderie and pride," said Francis. "The symbol also allows our culture to never be forgotten, but remembered in a positive way."
"As a descendant of American Indians and of Europeans," wrote Kevin Finefrock of Manchester, "I believe that this history is often oversimplified by those involved in the mascot debate. ... Frankly, I think that there are many issues within the American Indian community that are more important than eliminating school mascots around the country."
Many responded with brief, anonymous comments: "Lighten up!" "Just more political correctness run amok." "When does the madness stop?!?" "It's offensive that someone would find this offensive."
Still, some people wrote to say the time is right to make changes.
"Society used to accept cultural stereotypes that were demeaning to women, African-Americans, and people of all ethnicities, until we learned better," wrote Sheila Evans of Chelsea, Maine.
"The same situation is present here: Native Americans have long been discriminated against, stereotyped, and joked about; just ask yourself how you would like your children to see your cultural heritage and ethnic traditions made fun off in an official capacity?"