I grew up playing sports in a league in which the mascots
included the Arabs, the Aztecs, and the Rajahs. I myself was an Indian at Palm
Springs High School and a Viking at La Jolla High School. Never was there any
animosity towards the mascot from either of the groups represented by it.
I found it
interesting that Pres. Hennessy was a very strong proponent of not bringing the
Indian mascot back any time soon unless the Indian/Native American students and
faculty give the okay. However, I have a hunch that their approval hasn’t even
been really sought out, so I doubt that it will even happen. I think it was
wrong to change the mascot in the first place because it went against the
tradition of the school that started in 1930. Until 1970 it wasn’t an issue.
Interesting how the Native American started to have issues with it and find it
offensive during the whole activism, counterculture time period sweeping across
college campuses. Why not before?
I went
through many of the archives of the Stanford Daily last year and I remember
reading editorial after editorial arguing to keep the Indian mascot. And I
would have to say that I would have written one myself if I were around during
that time. I would have voiced sympathies with the Native Americans for taking
offense by it, but contended that it wasn’t meant as an insult, but merely a
symbol of school pride. I think it should be taken as a compliment to the
Native Americans that the Indian is the face of a major university.
It’s a
bummer for the alumni who no longer have a mascot to associate their time at
Stanford with.
But at the
same time I understand that it can be construed as dehumanizing. I just grew up
with it not being a big deal and so to me, it is just another mascot. Florida
still remains the Seminoles, right? But I realize this will probably never be
open to a vote any time soon.
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