Mascots will stay despite objections
New Hampshire Union Leader – February 13, 2007
By RILEY YATES
Union Leader Staff
MANCHESTER – The mascots for Memorial and Central high schools will stay, despite objections that they may be offensive.
The school board overwhelmingly reaffirmed Memorial's Crusaders and Central's Indian head last night, after earlier agreeing to review them when a former student complained they herald an unsavory history.
In its motion, school board members "reaffirm our unwavering belief that our symbols or logos at our schools are not offensive."
Members also "reaffirm our strong support for continuing with the symbols used in the district."
The issue was raised last month by Ibrahim Elshamy, Central's 2005 class president and a Dartmouth student, who said both symbols are hurtful and should be changed.
The two schools' principals stood by the symbols, arguing they have proud roots and are not culturally insensitive.
Last night featured little debate on the motion, which was the product of the school board committee that reviewed the symbols.
"The opinion of Manchester is pretty clear," Doug Kruse of Ward 8 said prior to the vote.
Two members were in opposition, and a former Central High School teacher told the school board he also believes the symbols are inappropriate.
"Many say the Indian symbol is a representative of history," said Will Thomas, who taught at the school for three decades. "Well, so is slavery, segregation and child labor."
Bob Leonard, a Ward 2 board member who is a former coach for Memorial and Central, said wearing a Crusader symbol "is perhaps a little rich" for a student body that includes Muslims.
"I believe if it's offensive to one, it's offensive to all," Leonard said.