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 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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The 2024 Oklahoma high school football season is almost upon us, but until teams kick off in late August, we’re asking readers to vote on the top teams and players in the state.

Each summer The Oklahoman ranks the top college football 30 recruits in the state for the upcoming recruiting class. We rank our Super 30 series based on recruiting value, but which player would be the best on the field in 2024?

For this exercise we take our Super 30 selections and give the power to the people to vote.

(NOTE: This poll does not include the fifth-ranked player in the Super 30 rankings, Jaden Nickens. The former Douglass and Millwood standout recently transferred out of state to Sierra Canyon in California.)

Voting will remain open until noon Friday, Aug. 30.

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Oklahoma high school football top players

Top-10 player rankings in Oklahoma high school football: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends | Offensive linemen | Defensive linemen | Linebackers | Defensive backs | Special teams