Coordination committee votes to keep nicknames and symbols
New Hampshire Union Leader – January 11, 2007
By SCOTT BROOKS
Union Leader Staff
MANCHESTER – A school board committee voted last night to continue using high school nicknames and symbols that a former student called offensive.
The coordination committee voted, 5-1, in favor of the city schools' nicknames, symbols and logos, including the Central High School "Indian head" and Memorial High's Crusader.
"Political correctness has run amok, and at some point we have to draw the line," said board member Doug Kruse, who proposed the motion.
Recent Central High School graduate Ibrahim Elshamy criticized the symbols before the school board Monday. Elshamy claimed the "Indian head" symbol was racist and that the Crusader invokes the bloody Crusades of the 12th and 13th centuries.
Kruse maintained the symbols represent "pride and strength." Neither is meant to offend, he said.
"They're used responsibly and tastefully, and there's just plain nothing wrong with them," he said.
Bob Leonard, of Ward 2, provided the lone dissenting vote. An attempt to reach him by telephone last night was unsuccessful.
At-large board member Debra Gagnon Langton said she discussed the controversy with many current and former students, as well as parents. None had any objections, she said.
"The whole matter should be put to rest," she said.
The matter will likely be taken up by the full board soon, Kruse said.