Should Massachusetts ban Native American school mascots? – The Boston Globe

As mother and father, lawmakers, and educators, it’s our duty to make sure that each youngster learns in protected, inclusive, and supportive college environments. Colleges should permit all college students to carry their full genuine selves, and provide them alternatives to discover totally different cultures, hear various views, and have their assumptions challenged.

Mascots and logos that scale back complete communities to a single stereotype hinder these targets by educating one-sided narratives and isolating college students who’re falsely represented. That’s the reason I assist the Massachusetts Indigenous Legislative Agenda and co-filed laws with Consultant Nika Elugardo and Senator Joanne Cumerford to ban the usage of Native American mascots in Massachusetts public colleges.

For many years, many Indigenous leaders have cited the adverse psychosocial results that Native American mascots have on college students. Derogatory pictures and nicknames reinforce dangerous stereotypes that demean and ignore modern Native American individuals. Analysis has proven that for Native college students, these racial stereotypes create a dehumanizing setting that may have an effect on their self-image, dignity, and well-being. Our colleges must be locations the place our younger individuals thrive, not really feel disgrace.

Furthermore, Native American mascots perpetuate false representations of Indigenous cultures. For too lengthy, we have now failed to inform the reality about our colonial origins. We have now preserved a system of energy on this nation based mostly in violence, enslavement, and marginalization that erases the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples. We should fight this hate by offering an training rooted in reality and a studying setting that promotes inclusivity and respect. Native mascots undermine our college students’ capability to be taught compassion and reject prejudice.

Indigenous peoples are exhausted by having to retell their struggling. We should hearken to the various tribal leaders, public well being consultants, educators, and college students who’ve referred to as for the retirement of Native American mascots in Massachusetts colleges. This and your complete Massachusetts Indigenous Legislative Agenda presents us a possibility to create a brand new legacy that acknowledges the value and dignity of each scholar.

As a mom, social employee, and physician of public well being, I imagine we should shield the proper of Native American college students to be taught with out feeling misrepresented by imagery plastered on college partitions and group jerseys. The Legislature ought to move this invoice to make sure that our colleges don’t promote archaic and dangerous stereotypes.

NO

Corinne Riley

Member, Saugus Board of Selectmen

As a neighborhood official whose city brand depicts a sachem, I oppose the pending payments banning colleges from utilizing mascots related to Native People. The laws could be a means of eradicating Native People from our native historical past, with the obvious justification that every one references to Native People are dangerous or meant to mock cultural stereotypes. Historic significance of a tradition varies broadly by city, so insurance policies on symbols must be left to every neighborhood to find out.

The “Sachem” goes again at the very least 85 years in Saugus and is greater than a mascot. It’s an homage, the place the Sachem image seems not simply on group uniforms, but additionally our city seal and avenue indicators. It’s greater than a logo; imagery with historic, optimistic descriptions of Montowampate, a Sachem, or chief, of the world comprising present-day Saugus and 7 neighboring communities 400 years in the past, is displayed prominently contained in the entrance door of our new state-of-the-art Center Excessive Faculty.

Some have referred to as the Sachem image racist. Merriam-Webster defines racism as “a perception that race is a elementary determinant of human traits and capacities.” Quite the opposite, the Sachem isn’t celebrated in Saugus due to his race, however somewhat for his power, friendliness, and dedication. Others have referred to as use of the Sachem image a cultural appropriation by a city having few Native People. In my thoughts, it’s a cultural appreciation for the chief of the individuals who got here right here earlier than us and helped create the place we name house.

Like every part, Saugus’ use of the Sachem image has been imperfect, with the Sachem typically depicted as a cartoon, and carrying an traditionally inaccurate headdress, and with inconsistent pictures. I’d welcome dialogue relating to a constant, correct, and respectful Sachem picture.

These payments could be a step in the direction of eradicating Native People from the tradition of Saugus and lots of different Massachusetts communities. There is no such thing as a place for imagery or references that disrespect any tradition, however to drop point out of a tradition so distinguished in Massachusetts historical past could also be even worse.

As an alternative, let’s talk about how we’d enhance our city and group symbols with correct and respectful references. Whereas there’s room for Saugus to enhance, the homage from Saugus is real, and the Sachem must be preserved.

As advised to Globe correspondent John Laidler. To recommend a subject, please contact laidler@globe.com.

This isn’t a scientific survey. Please solely vote as soon as.