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Geiger sisters make final plea to the Clinton School Board for mascot change at Clinton High School
Elspeth Geiger addresses the Clinton School Board regarding the Redskins mascot.
By CRISTINA TRAPANI-SCOTT
CLINTON — Clinton High School graduates Elspeth and Kylista Geiger gave a final plea to Clinton Board of Education members to change the school’s mascot during the public comment portion of the regular meeting held Monday. “I want to focus specifically on how it creates disrespect for the people it’s supposed to be honoring,” Elspeth told the board as she read to them of how the origin of the adoption of Native American names as mascots was not done to honor Native Americans, but came as a result of stereotypical images propagated from movies and stories of non-native origin. Kylista followed her sister in making a final argument, saying the use of the mascot is discriminatory and over-simplifies the meaning behind the names.
Both women, who are of Native-American descent, began a petition drive in early October in hopes of getting the mascot issue before the board. Supt. David Pray gave the Geiger sisters the petition stipulating that 40 percent of the signatures needed to be in favor of changing the mascot name in order for it to be placed on the board agenda at the November regular meeting. The petition signatures, tallied earlier this month, showed more than 90 percent in favor of keeping Redskin as Clinton Community Schools mascot.
The Geigers were not alone in their plea, however. Several members of various tribes attended the meeting to speak out on how the name disrespects their heritage. Marsha Traxler was the first to speak, telling the board members that Native Americans were forced out of the area at one time, long ago, and those who stayed were forced to mask their identity fearing for their lives. “My guess is the people who signed the petition don’t understand that these people live among us,” she said. She also told listeners of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, adopted in 1978, and how that marked the start of when Native Americans could pray openly in this country, a country founded on principles of religious freedom, she reminded board members.
Christine Herdman, who is Mohawk, referred to Indian mascots when she said, “These things keep us stuck in the past. Our kids look at these and think, ‘Jeepers, this is what they think of us, of our ancestors.’” She said that the term Redskin, which she added is a term she prefers not to use, has historically been associated with death and violence and urged the board to take another look at changing the name.
North American Indian Association of Detroit Vice President Andrea Pierce commented, stating 12 Michigan tribes have passed resolutions that consider the use of Indian names by schools and professional sports teams as discriminatory and promoting stereotypes rather than honoring the history of Native Americans in Michigan. She was followed by former Eastern Michigan University sociology professor Karen Sherman who noted several resolutions adopted by governmental bodies that condemn the use of Native American names as mascots, but she highlighted the 2003 State of Michigan Board of Education self-study made in 2003 that looked at all of the schools that use Native American names for logos. The result of the study was a resolution urging schools to eliminate culturally associated logos or mascots. This also was the resolution the Geiger sisters cited as a reason for initiating the petition drive at Clinton. “It is time for Clinton schools to do a self-assessment and a checklist,” said Sherman. “Schools should not use their influence to perpetuate stereotypes of any group.”
Rose Johnson, a Comanche, Aztec and Apache, urged the board members to listen not with their ears but with their hearts. “You choose to honor my people with a funny looking Indian guy. At least use a true representation,” she said. She said she did not feel honored by the name Redskin. “I’m just saying if you are going to honor us, pray for us. Don’t make fun of us.”
Linda Crypet-Kilbourne, of Marshall, addressed the board using her Native American name Zhaawanong Nimkii Kwew (Southern Thunder Woman). She told board members that the district will never qualify for Michigan’s Blue Ribbon Exemplary Schools Program, even with its many academic accomplishments, strictly because it chooses to keep the name Redskin. Beyond the practical aspect of the school’s choice, she noted, as did others, the hurtful nature of the mascot name and hoped the board members would use education as a tool for honoring the Native American people. “Education is the way. We all need to be educated on many different levels with many different people,” she said.
One parent, Troy Bevier, did note his support of the Redskin name and in support of the way that Pray has handled the controversy after commenting on the school’s advance placement program. 1989 Clinton High School graduate Shawn Phillips, a Chippewa, chose not to speak during public comment, although, he and his brother, Jeremy, who could not make the meeting because of recent surgery, have supported the district’s decision to keep the name. “I’m not offended at all by it. I did do a lot of research. I’ve mentioned it to other Indians in conversations and haven’t found any who take offense to it,” he said following the meeting.
Not present at the meeting were representatives from the local organization Leh-Nah-Weh Native American Organization based in Lenawee County.
The school board did not take action, but Pray remained firm on putting the issue to rest, stating that petitions show the community supports keeping the mascot and logo. “The reason why we issued the petition is because in 2003 the school board made a decision to say they were not going change the mascot without input from the community. Community members came forward later saying they would have liked input. Our community is very strong on the issue,” he said. He added that he under
stood the view of the people who spoke, but the community supports keeping the name.
Elspeth Geiger said, however, that the issue is not over. “We really need to all get together and discuss where we go from here. I can tell you that this is not going to be the end, but I don’t know where we go from here,” she said.
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Mascot Issue
I would like to state my respect and support for the people that came together and to address this matter of the Redskin name and the mascot. It is truley unfortunate that there was not a response from the school board to work on this matter. You would think the people with a basic intelligence and insight would be able to see what the issues are in this matter. It is also unfortunate that the leadership of the school, especially Mr. Pray and educator could not see himself in a role to provide educational leadership not only to just this board, but, to the students of the school and district. This could have been and could still be a great teaching moment and a very postive way to bring a community together to learn not only about this mascot issues, but, in many respects about themselves. However, now it will always be known that Clinton had to be pushed into an considerations regarding racial behavior that they appear to condone, sad for the community, children and youth.
Steretypical mascot - continued
BS"D
I am sorry that Supt. David Pray chose to bow to popular consensus on this issue of using the racially charged stereotype "Redskins" for their sports mascot. It is kind of a non-action because the very REASON that the mascot remains is BECAUSE of popular acceptance. The point should be educating the public about a negative stereotype of Native Americans being used for sport purposes in an educational institution, which use is unethical and counter to the mandate of the public school to educate its youth. Hopefully some responsible partys on the school board can take some action on this before it becomes a legal battle which would give the school unwanted national media coverage and cause undue embarassment for its staff and students. The Schoolboard should do the right thing on their own and should not force a legal battle by inaction.
National media coverage? Are
National media coverage? Are you kidding?! There hundreds of schools using Native American mascots in this country, and several high profile sports teams (i.e. Washington Redskins www DOT redskins DOT com) That have not changed their names and have already set precedents in lawsuits. The way a mascot is used it not disparaging. The fact is that any symbol that is chosen will probably offend someone somewhere, where will it end?
mascot
Until this mascot changes image of your little school will have a black eye of racial intolerance. We are the face of racial insensittivity and the more you defend it with polls and utterly inappropropriate comments defending this terrible practice, we remain the purveyors of American Apartied.
Native people are abused in greater numbers than any other racial group. Part of the problem is the continued objectification of our people through negative sterotypes.
Let us go.
Louis Gray
President of the Tulsa Indian Coalition Against Racism.
Mascot
Let's be rid of historical representation; I honestly can't wait for a few more generations to pass to let the young adults of this world who truly understand equality to be in charge. Going forward is the only way. Today's Indians have had no such experience nor personal recollection of the prior horrors inflicted. The name is just a name. Heck, I bet most students didn't even know its origin until this whole matter came up. Therefore, there was no negative stereotype being that you'd have to have a negative perception of it in order to even have one! If anything, your raving about the problem only hurt your own people. Please, let's talk about being intelligent here.
The Clinton use of Redskins isn't even rooted in an Indian purpose (but I realize the mascot has since become a symbol of Indians). I think if anything nowadays, the fact that schools think of Indians as strong people to continue to be proud to use the mascot name is rewarding to the Indian people. Plus, there are many past horrors, but we don't dredge them up too.
I'm tired of Indians still receiving reparation money from our government when they haven't had any discrimination from their practices in the last few decades. Especially since the US is such a melting pot where the same person has blood that killed the same blood in them. To single out a race is to say there is a need to. Why? Everyone is equal here and as such let's move forward and act that way. Please, we are all adults here and times are tough enough to start a movement that would be expensive to correct for the school district as well as unnecessary for its intent. Drop the subject already - you've lost this battle, now let it go.
Melissa Owen, one of the 90%
Response Melissa Owen
First, of all Ms. Owen
The United States Constitution gives the Indians the right that they have. So as I have said before if you are tired of what the Native people are getting, blame that one on the Forefathers of this country. OH! Boy do you know nothing about Native American (Indians). I had a friend just a few years ago, who almost was send to jail for 15 years and charged with $50, 000.00 per feather , WHY? for practicing his own Native American religion, by having Eagle feathers in his possesion. He was the first person not to go to jail, because the clan mothers recogized him, but the Judge ordered him to do a huge amount of community services. Ms. Owen this is happening today>>>> not hundred years ago. This is not equal. I bet you go to Church or where ever you go and you do not have to be afraid of going to jail , for carrying a cross with you.
Boarding Schools were still open in the 1990's. I have friends that went to them and can tell you bad stories of things that happened to them. Not equal here.
Do not talk to me about equal. Until you have lived in the shoes of a Native American Traditional person, do not think you know.
I could say alot more, but Iam not going to right now, because your statement is to , will just to much.
We need education on this issue for more than one reason.
Respectfully,
Linda L. Cypret-Kilbourne
mascot debate
There is a simple way of looking at this; if in the defense of a obviously racially insensitive practice the supporters make racially harmful remarks it is time for the mascot to go. No other debate or polls are neccessary.
In truth the Reds*&^@ is by far the most harmful and degrading of all mascot names. For reasons passing reason it also one of the most hotly defended names in the sports world. One writer said the Washington Red*&^#@ has defeated the trademark lawsuit. As a member of that lawsuit, let me assure you that legal challenge is far from over and is in fact prepared to proceed on its merits. The pro team temporarily dodged the court room when a judge decided the harmed should have brought the suit sooner. With younger plantiffs filing suit it will get around the challlenge. The point here is that no one is going unchallenged all across this country. The Union Reds&^%$ have been the subject of large demonstrations at their ballgames.
I urge the community to work toward forming a task force which will trully study the mascot issue for your community. Make sure it has a well balanced group of leaders for and against the current mascot. If the school board lacks the political courage and insight develope one outside the school and study it yourself.
Communication and talking is the way into the light.
Good luck.
Louis Gray
President of TICAR
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