I am American Indian, specifically from one of the nations in the Wabanaki Confederacy, a group to which the Abenaki people belong. Abenaki are our cousins. I grew up in CT as a result of our diaspora, but I have now come to live in VT as an adult. I want my children to grow up in a community where American Indians are not perceived as inherently threatening so that they are not killed by police. American Indians are killed by police at a higher rate than African Americans are, according to the CDC, but the news outlets never cover it. These Indian mascots teach people to think of us as threatening. All we want to do is live our lives like anybody else. I understand that graduates of this school are proud of the mascot they have worn for so long, but the mascot should not be the reason to be proud of your school. If the mascot is the only thing this school has going for it, let's work on that. Let's improve the academics. Let's improve career and personal development. Let's improve the culture of social responsibility. I suspect that this school has already been offering many of these things, and I want us to emphasize those things, not the mascot. In fact, having the wisdom and social consciousness to change the mascot will and should be a reason to be very proud of your school.
Sarah yake - 4 years ago
As a GM alumni member, I am proud of our Green Mountain Chieftain. From my great great Grandfather Cloakey, I am of Northern Huron native American decent. Our beautiful Chieftain symbolizing what we stand for at our high school. PRIDE Shame on anyone who used the word "racist" while referencing the symbol of our school. I think it's beautiful and revered to this day by so many as beautiful pride.
I am American Indian, specifically from one of the nations in the Wabanaki Confederacy, a group to which the Abenaki people belong. Abenaki are our cousins. I grew up in CT as a result of our diaspora, but I have now come to live in VT as an adult. I want my children to grow up in a community where American Indians are not perceived as inherently threatening so that they are not killed by police. American Indians are killed by police at a higher rate than African Americans are, according to the CDC, but the news outlets never cover it. These Indian mascots teach people to think of us as threatening. All we want to do is live our lives like anybody else. I understand that graduates of this school are proud of the mascot they have worn for so long, but the mascot should not be the reason to be proud of your school. If the mascot is the only thing this school has going for it, let's work on that. Let's improve the academics. Let's improve career and personal development. Let's improve the culture of social responsibility. I suspect that this school has already been offering many of these things, and I want us to emphasize those things, not the mascot. In fact, having the wisdom and social consciousness to change the mascot will and should be a reason to be very proud of your school.
As a GM alumni member, I am proud of our Green Mountain Chieftain. From my great great Grandfather Cloakey, I am of Northern Huron native American decent. Our beautiful Chieftain symbolizing what we stand for at our high school. PRIDE Shame on anyone who used the word "racist" while referencing the symbol of our school. I think it's beautiful and revered to this day by so many as beautiful pride.