Are you offended by Redmen mascot?
MetroWest Daily News
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Some say the PC police are on patrol and others say what has been going on in Natick for decades is beyond explanation and should no longer be tolerated. Metro Editor Rob Haneisen in his column today calls the Natick High School nickname "Redmen" both offensive and historically inaccurate. It's time for a change. [Read the whole column here]. Though Natick does have a history of Indians in its past, the current chief of the Praying Indians, who were originally converted by John Eliot in Natick in the 1600s, says the Redmen nickname must be changed. The Natick School Committee on March 5 will vote on what to do about this controversial nickname. Do you think it should be changed? What would you change it to?
12 Responses to "Are you offended by Redmen mascot?"
Richard Scales Says:
February 21st, 2007 at 1:03 pm
I think that all of this controversy is ridiculous. This is an example of the PC police at their finest. I sometimes wonder if people specifically find something to complain about just because they like others to hear the sound of their voice complaining. The name of a sports team is a form of tribute. It is not derogatory in any way, shape, or form.
My heritage is mostly Scottish but I do have some Irish in the family tree. I think I’m going to start a crusade to change the Boston Celtics team name and logo because I find them offensive. Let’s also address the Notre Dame Fighting Irish while we’re at it. That absolutely has to go as well. Do those sound like good ideas?
Kat Says:
February 21st, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Let's call them the Redmen Collection and see if that sticks.
Paul Rossi Says:
February 21st, 2007 at 1:52 pm
I for one will be greatly disappointed with the citizens of the "home of champions" if they vote pro PC and against their great tradional Redmen nickname.
If we continue to let the PC police try to control our minds, we will become a boring, robotic, and somber society.
Get a life PC people, there are a lot more important issues in our local communities to deal with other than this trivial matter concerning PC nomenclature.
Go Redmen!
Scott Says:
February 21st, 2007 at 4:40 pm
So, why the big stink over Natick?? What about the other Indian referenced nick-names in Metrowest. Millis, Medfield, Lincoln Sudbury….what about Westboro??? You think the Rangers will be upset?? What about Hopkinton?? What is a Hilltopper anyway??
I agree more important issues out there. If you go after Natick, then they should go after everyone.
Rob Haneisen Says:
February 21st, 2007 at 5:28 pm
OK folks, here's the difference between the Natick Redmen and other high schools with nicknames such as Warriors, Braves, Chiefs, etc. "Redmen" is derogatory and a racial slur. There is no way you can interpret Redmen as an homage to Native American culture or in any way honoring the Indian past of MetroWest. One e-mailer brought up the Washington Red Skins which is a good comparison to Natick. Both are equally offensive. As for other high schools (Braves, Warriors, Chiefs, etc.) I don't think those are as offensive but are still questionable as nicknames because they misrepresent Indian culture as whole. When Florida State University uses the Seminoles as its school nickname it is done with honor because it uses the name of the tribe—plus they have the blessing from the Seminole Nation.
As I pointed out in my column, Natick has no great tradition with the Redmen. It was an invention from a sportswriter in 1956—a time when racial slurs like Redmen were tolerated.
This is not about being PC. One could argue this should be about being historically accurate. Certainly Natick has some aspect of its history that would better fit the high school nickname.
Nanci Says:
February 21st, 2007 at 7:23 pm
I wonder why so many people outside of Natick feel it's their obligation to enforce the Political Correctness our nation has decided to adopt. Let's face it, the first person that brought this issue to the School Committee doesn't even live in Natick. The current School Committee members who are arrogant enough to think they can make this decision on their own don't have the same longevity in town as those adamantly opposed to the change…the alumni and current students of Natick Public Schools.
Now, our local paper's editor feels it's his obligation to push his views on us. In the article, Rob, you write, "The potential offensiveness of "Redmen" when it comes to skin color of Indians needs little explanation. What would the feeling be if the teams were named the "Blackmen"? Enough said on that." Actually, no, enough has not been said. I remember during my student teaching when I referred to black people as "African Americans" and a black student said to me, "Why do you always call us African Americans?" I told him it was because that's what the politically correct terms is and he responded with, "What do you call the white people from Africa?" I asked him what he wanted to be called and he said, "Black! That’s what I am!"
Who is making the decision about what is proper to call different races and ethnicities? And why are we such conformists thinking we have to follow what the media tells us is the "right thing to do".
Natick citizens…if you believe we have a tradition as the Redmen, then come out and show yourselves on March 5th and let the School Committee know that they don't have the right to unilaterally decide the nickname and/or mascot of our town! And be sure to go out and vote on March 27th if you believe some of our current School Committee members have personal agendas they are pushing rather than being concerned about the education of all the children in Natick.
Peter Says:
February 21st, 2007 at 9:21 pm
This is not a matter of 'political correctness.'
The NAACP, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, the National Congress of American Indians, the NEA, the National Indian Education Association, the American Indian Movement, and the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs have all called for an end to the practice of using Native American symbols and culture as sports nicknames and logos. Native people have been asking for schools, colleges, and professional sports teams to stop for forty years.
If there are more important issues to address, let's just come up with a new nickname and move on to those "more important" issues. We can start by teaching our children that it's wrong to tolerate racial stereotypes or racism of any kind. Then perhaps we can consider teaching them about real, living Native American people.
"Redmen" is a made-up, offensive nickname.
Michael W. Says:
February 21st, 2007 at 9:29 pm
When will people who have nothing to do all day go get a life. These people are called Alarmist's (tree huggers) (global Warming) (in-coming asteroids) (hyperchondriacs) (Bird flu epidemic) Go crawl in a hole on some mountain and leave traditions alone.
Oh yeah I forgot (Clear cutting) Better stay out of the woods.
They call them the "Mighty Redman" and that would be in "The Home of Champions" can you feel the pride.
Im not saying we americans are perfect but hey leave our long term tradition alone.
If you dont like the name of the team mascot?
Houses in Brockton are going cheap.
Please your killing me………………………………………………_
Dave B. Says:
February 21st, 2007 at 11:52 pm
I have only one real question? Who is offended by this name? Seriously, are native americans all up in arms and picketing outside of Natick High and in downtown Natick? If they are, I haven't seen them. Is the nickname inappropriate? Probably, but if it has made it this long without hurting people then I think we will be ok. Leave the name and go find a real cause to fight for because an offensive school mascot nickname isn't an issue.
Harold Wolfe Says:
February 21st, 2007 at 11:55 pm
Let's allso get rid of those other offensive names like
United Negro Colleges
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The Black Caucus
David Long Says:
February 22nd, 2007 at 9:14 am
As a former Natick High student and athlete I was proud to represent my town. School mascots are not meant to be political statements or anything profond. They are what they are. A silly name to bond students together on the field and in the classroom. It is not meant to demean a group of people but rather to bring a group together. When I played for Natick High I never thought I was representing the Praying Indians, I was a "Natick Redmen". My team was red and blue with the Indian logo. I thas been more than 30 years since I last played for Natick but I still feel that bond with the "Redmen". It was never intended to accurately portray a group of people. Are all Indians warriors? No. Some prayed and others were very passive. Are all Irish "Fighting Irish" or Leprecohns? No. Some are writers and great thinkers. Don't make any more of the name than what it was meant to be, it's just a name .
Jeff Says:
February 22nd, 2007 at 10:01 am
the fact that the name, redmen, in and of itself, is a racist, derogatory, term, should be enough to have it changed…..
the fact that some people aren't offended by it, does not change the above fact
many people aren't offended by the derogatory names used to describe African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians or women, but that doesn't make those names any less disgusting or acceptable