Education | Opinion

Editorial: Mascot reflects history of violence and discrimination






Supporters of a racist mascot in Lancaster, New York, brought in two allies: Mark One Wolf Yancey, whose Indian heritage is in question, and Joe Milk, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe who lives in South Dakota and was flown in by an anonymous donor. Photo by WBEN NewsRadio 930AM / Twitter

Student newspaper at the University of Buffalo in New York calls for the elimination of a public high school's racist mascot:
The celebration of racism can never be justified – not by tradition and certainly not by pride.

And yet, the Lancaster School District continues to use the term “Redskin” as its mascot, deeming the nickname to be a more pressing matter than the marginalization and stereotyping of an entire ethnic group.

Students at Lancaster are told to “Protect a tradition and leave a legacy.” They’re also told “Once a Redskin, always Redskin.”

Lancaster High School has a lot of pride – our editor in chief, who graduated from the school in 2011, can attest to that. There’s nothing wrong with being proud of your school, but there is something unnerving about kindergarteners through 12th grade students sporting a racial slur on T-Shits, sweatpants and sports uniforms.

There is simply no justification for the continued use of this racist symbol. It’s not to say the people of Lancaster are ignorant bigots – but they’re too shrouded in their own “legacy” to realize their mascot is hurting and offending other people.

Get the Story:
Editorial: ‘Redskins’ reflects a history of violence and discrimination – a practice to be mourned, not promoted (The Spectrum 3/4)

Also Today:
Debate Over ‘Redskins’ as Nickname Trickles Down to Buffalo Suburb (The New York Times 3/4)
Pro-Redskins group brings in out-of-town Native Americans who support Redskins mascot (The Buffalo News 3/4)
Not all Native Americans find "Redskins" offensive (WKBW 3/2)

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