Opinion: Righting a wrong with change in Indian mascot

Tuesday, May 31, 2011  

"For years, Colusa High has been the Redskins. This puts it somewhere between Maggie Gyllenhaal's face and the Los Angeles Dodgers on my Offensive Things List, and I'm pretty difficult to offend.

Nobody needs to try to be cute here and argue that the Redskin isn't a completely insensitive nickname — just because Washington's NFL franchise does it, with a depiction of an American Indian in its logo, doesn't mean it's right (in fact, I'd argue that it makes it even more wrong). The Chicago Blackhawks, Florida State Seminoles and Utah Utes are among other Native American-themed sports programs that all have tribal pride and representation at the heart of their selections. There's not a Redskin tribe. It's just a racist jab. I'm not Native American, but I know a few people who are, and I can assure you based on conversations with them that the majority of them don't find Cleveland's "Chief Wahoo" or Atlanta's "tomahawk chop" charming or endearing.

Per our friends at the Marysville Appeal-Democrat, we've learned that the movement to change the school's nickname — as we recall, it's been several years in the making — is finally underway, and 2011 is going to be the last class that has to answer to "the Redskins." Henceforth, they'll be known as the Redhawks, which is actually pretty cool. I've seen the logo, and it looks awesome; the best part is, I don't feel the need to shake my head in disdain when I see it."

Get the Story:
Travis Souders: Colusa name change the right choice (The Chico Enterprise-Record 5/29)