For my entire life, research has consistently shown Indigenous students are challenged and harmed by the use of Native American mascots. In my rural hometown, four of these systemic oppressors exist within a 20-mile radius. I am a Tecumseh graduate and an officer of Oklahoma’s oldest active alumni association; however, I am not a Savage. I am a proud citizen of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.

Slurs should never be used to synthesize identity and pride in our affiliations. We cannot make exceptions for Indigenous people. Tradition cannot conquer conscience. The use of a slur accompanying the depiction of a Native American as a school mascot is a recurring conversation in my hometown. Debates of honor and absent personal offense should not permit de facto racism. We must accurately name the willful sustainment of slurs as mascots.

Individual action and redress are vital at the district level, but diversity of thought and experiences limit rural districts and overlook historically oppressed communities. The districts brandishing racial epitaphs are not governed by the population they seek to embody. Additionally, larger threats present themselves for districts to address: depleting funding revenues, qualified labor shortages and holistic student support.

This does not even broach the growing schism between districts, state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters and the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Statute or state mandates eliminating the use of slurs as mascots would present an opportunity to protect Indigenous children and honor the Native nations that are tokenized in the current system. Districts should not be responsible for implementing common-sense legislation on a case-by-case basis. This is a shortsighted waste of time that divides community, limiting the impact of devoted educators and Oklahoma’s education system. Responsibility lies at a higher level.

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Elected officials should have stepped in earlier. If the state forfeits that responsibility, communities must work together to protect each and every one of our children equitably. District officials, school board members and community leaders must take action now.

Slurs have no place in schools, let alone emblazoned on the masthead. All students are worthy of belonging and unfettered access to education. Change the mascots and resolve to limit obscenities within our children’s lives.

Bobby “Trae” Trousdale (Citizen Potawatomi) is a lifelong Oklahoman and active community member currently residing in the south side of Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City leaders will select from a field of seven architecture firms to design its next nearly billion-dollar arena and the future home of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

On Friday, the city’s MAPS office released the names of the firms that submitted bids but has not yet released the actual bids each firm provided.

AECOM, Gensler, HKS, Overland Partners, Perkins and Will, Populous and Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates all tossed their names in for consideration.

Most recently, AECOM has been recognized for its role in designing the new Intuit Dome, which opened on Thursday and will be home to the LA Clippers.

But within Oklahoma City, Populous is the most recognizable name in consideration. The firm designed the MAPS 3 Convention Center, which is located a block from where the new arena will be built. It is also behind the new fairgrounds arena and is responsible for current improvements and upgrades to the Paycom Center.

AECOM, Populous, and Gensler have each been involved with at least one of the five newest NBA arenas. Populous has an office in Norman and has also worked with the athletics department for the University of Oklahoma.

The city has not yet released which names made its shortlist, which was finalized on August 5, 2024. Interviews with selected firms will be held in the first week of September.

Oklahoma State’s schedule will look different next season, particularly with start times.

OSU will kick off its season on Aug. 31 at 1 p.m. against South Dakota State. Not only is that earlier than any of OSU’s regular season games in 2023, it will follow that with back-to-back 11 a.m. kickoffs.

Last season, OSU’s earliest start time in the regular season was 2:30. OSU’s first and only 11 a.m. kickoff came in the Big 12 Championship against Texas. Although 2023 was a somewhat outlier example of OSU’s lack of early start times, it was a continuation of a years-long trend.

Throughout the past three seasons, OSU has played only three regular-season games with an early kickoff. While OSU is not necessarily accustomed to playing so many early kickoffs, coach Mike Gundy is not concerned about his team’s preparation, despite the early season heat.

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“There will be afternoon kickoffs across the country and that’s a part of it during this time of year,” Gundy said. “I just talked to the team yesterday; you’re going to get about six games that are going to be like this. Used to be two or three, but we play games that are extremely warm all the way up to October now, so guys have to get used to it and be prepared to play in the heat.”

Part of OSU’s transition to earlier start times next season could be attributed to Texas and Oklahoma’s departure to the SEC. As OSU becomes one of the faces of the new Big 12, it also transitions into that time slot.

Last season, OU had seven 11 a.m. kickoffs, a continuation of the scheduling Sooners’ fans have criticized for years. OU has had at least six games kick off at noon or earlier in five of the past six seasons, with the shortened 2020 season being the lone exception.

While OSU has enjoyed the mid-afternoon and evening time slots throughout the past several seasons, a shift to morning kickoffs could become the new normal for the Cowboys.

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