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MONDAY, JULY 15, 2002

"When the Seattle School Board voted to get rid of the Indians mascot for West Seattle High, a battle was won.

But not the war -- not by a long shot.

I'll tell you why later.

This week's board decision gave the heave-ho to a symbol deemed offensive by some Native American students, as well as some members of local and regional tribes.

They felt linking "Indians" to sports teams and school spirit was a blow to a culture's psyche -- the continued dehumanization of people who have suffered genocide and subjugation.

So the board was right, although some readers told me they hated the vote -- and, even more, my way of thinking. . ."

Get the Story:
Robert L. Jamieson Jr: The mascot victory is a triumph to build on (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 7/13)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Mascots do not honor Indians (7/12)
Schools differ on mascot solution (7/11)