NATICK REDMEN: A RETURN TO RACISM
HONOR INDIANS INSTITUTE
May 7, 2008
The Natick School Committee is having a public forum tonight, May 7, 2008, for the purpose of giving the community an opportunity to share their thoughts on whether or not to keep the Natick "Redmen" mascot. The School Committee is hiring a "neutral person" to run the forum. School officials have also decided to hire an attorney to see if keeping the "Redmen" name violates any discrimination or civil rights laws. The School Committee is hoping to make a decision about the future of the "Redmen" name by June 16, 2008.In March of 2007, the Natick School Committee voted to retire the "Redmen" mascot, stating that the name was offensive to area tribes and tribal members. The School Committee initially selected a new Natick "Hawks" mascot. The Natick community and alumni, encouraged by alumni Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie, were not happy with the change and mounted a challenge to the School Committee decision to retire the "Redmen" mascot. A petition drive followed, and the matter was put on the March 25, 2008, election ballot. In a non-binding ballot, the residents of Natick voted by nearly 2 to 1 to reverse the School Committee decision to retire the "Redmen" mascot. Shortly after the election, the School Committee seemed content with their decision, and said that the "Redmen" would remain retired. The School Committee abandoned the "Hawks" mascot in favor of the original Natick "Red and Blue" nickname in hopes of gaining public support.
It appears now that the School Committee is prepared to give in to the will of the Natick residents and restore the racist "Redmen" mascot. A Public Forum at this point is a waste of time and money. If the point is getting public input on the matter, the voters spoke on March 25th by nearly a 2 to 1 margin that they want the "Redmen" mascot restored. Why hire a "neutral person" to preside at a return the "Redmen" feeding frenzy?
Although I am not offering legal advice, I would suggest saving the money to be spent on an attorney. I have been legal counsel to two tribal governments, a tribal court judge, and I have taught Native Studies classes at the University of Nebraska – Omaha for over 14 years. To the best of my knowledge, it is not illegal to display racial ignorance towards Indians by using Indian mascots. If using Indian mascots were a crime, we would have to convert hundreds of high schools and a few colleges into prisons to hold all of the violators.
If, by some miracle, you are successful at convincing the "Redmen" supporters to adopt the original "Red & Blue" mascot, we offer a new mascot. The new "RED & BLUE" mascot incorporates the likeness of Natick's own Heisman Trophy winner. The new mascot should make your heart swell with pride and make you forget all about the old racist "Redmen" mascot. We introduce "FLOOTY THE MASCOT."
However, if the masses win out and you decide to retain the racist "Redmen” mascot, we only request that you change your Natick High School Mission Statement to reflect your selfish and intolerant attitude. Please delete the part about your school being "…dedicated to helping all students reach their highest academic, physical and social potential." Also remove the section that references creating a "supportive and respectful environment," and being a place where "…students are encouraged to be informed, responsible and productive citizens." Finally, your Mission Statement should not reflect that you are a place that seeks to "…foster personal responsibility, integrity and honesty in all members of the Natick High School Community." It would probably be easier to just include the following disclaimer: "NATICK HIGH SCHOOL, WE JUST DON'T CARE ABOUT INDIANS AND THEIR PC FEELINGS! SHUT UP AND BE HONORED, REDMAN!"
Honor Indians Institute will then adopt an "unofficial" new Natick mascot, and forever to us, you will be known as the NATICK REDNECK MEN!
