Current Staff Blogs
Cast Your Vote
Featured Video
AP Top Stories
Today's Crossword
Bookmark Us
Clinton mascot protest continues
Native Americans continue protesting Clinton Community School’s, as pictured Monday night, for use of the Redskin mascot.
By CRISTINA TRAPANI-SCOTT
CLINTON — Clinton High School alumni Kylista and Elspeth Geiger and their supporters are well past a year of attending regular Clinton School Board meetings in protest of the use of the Redskins as the school’s mascot. Still, the group continues to meet curbside at the school’s entrance and speak during the public comment portion of the meetings. This month’s regular meeting held Monday night was no exception.
“This word is so damaging to us,” Elspeth told board members, adding that she sees that the school district cares about the students but keeping the mascot puts all students at risk of being influenced by negative stereotypes.
The women began the initiative to have the mascot changed in November of 2008 when they were asked to circulate a petition to measure community interest in the issue before bringing the issue to the board. Not enough signatures in support of the change were collected, so the board declined to put the issue on the regular board meeting agenda.
Each month since that time the Geigers and many supporters have protested and spoken at meetings, talking about the racist nature of the word Redskin and reiterating the number of groups that oppose the use of such a mascot. Monday, the girls’ mother Cynthia read a statement from the United Church of Christ, which is listed, along with the United Methodist Church, as a supporter of change in the use of Native American mascots. Each month, supporters are becoming more visual in their protests. Last month, Linda Cypret-Kilbourne, also known as Zhaawanong Nimkii Kwew, dressed in Christian spiritual garb and performed cheers. Monday night she brought in a plate depicting a Christian cross and a plate depicting a Native American and asked the board to envision those as pictures on a gymnasium floor, driving home the point that it’s spiritually offensive to her to see a Native American depicted on a gymnasium floor.
In the meantime, the women have filed a claim with the Michigan civil rights commission. They met with Clinton Community Schools representatives in mediation in August and no agreement was reached. Kylista said she and her supporters are waiting for the Civil Rights Commission to come to a decision. According to her, there is a case pending in Kalamazoo, which could set the precedent for what they decide in Clinton.
“We knew this wasn’t going to be popular going in, but we’ve had people stop and support our protest. There have been members of the community who have come forward even out front and said it’s about time it changed,” said Kylista
See What You're Missing...
Subscribe to Print Edition
Subscribe to Online Edition
Businessman at Farm Bureau office
Auditions set for dinner theater
Voice of ‘Phantom’ coming to the TCA
Redskin Mascot
These idiots need to get a job!
The kids in the school are proud to be "Redskins"! I have children in the school who are athletes and use the "Redskin" name as a word of pride! They say I am a Redskin! I hope the Clinton School Board stays the course and these very few crazy women dry up and blow away.
Ladies, leave these board members to take care of our children's education and go get a job! You are making the board dedicate funds to fight your ludicrous ACLU allegations in these financial times. Our kids need educations not your model of lunacy!!!
Mascot
Agree with Ed 100 percent! I have nothing to add, you said it all.
clinton mascot
These are well educated women who work as well as persue advance degrees past a university bachlors. They take care of their familys, do much volunteer work and contribute to society in many ways. I agree that no matter how people feel this mascot started this derogatory term must now be taken out of use.
By the way - I was there observing. These were a group of polite and respectful individuals. By your tone and some of the phrases you have used - I am asking if you were the individual who yelled obscenities and made the middle finger gesture out the window as you drove away? That seems to back up their point.
No I wasn't the one in the Jeep
I am just the one tired of this wasteful effort of time and money. If they/you want to stand on a street corner have at it, let people assume what they want about you on a street corner.
But leave my school board to their business of educating kids and not listening to polite, yet extremely ludicrous rhetoric!!
EVERYONE IS IGNORANT EVEN THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE NATIVE
DOES ANYONE KNOW THE REAL MEANING BEHIND REDSKIN? I WORK AT A LOCAL NATIVE AMERICAN AGENCY AND I AM FULL NATIVE AMERICAN, CURRENTLY THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN TAKEN UP FEDERALLY THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT, MOSTLY TO CHANGE THE REDSKIN NAME FROM WASHINGTON STATE NFL TEAM, AND LOCALLY TO EVERY RACIST TOWN IN AMERICA. THE MEANING OF REDSKIN CAME FROM DURING THE TIME OF THE CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH. BACK THEN WHITE PEOPLE OF THE CALIFORNIA GOVN WANTED TO GET RID OF THE NATIVE AMERICANS TO GET TO THE GOLD, SO IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN LOCAL PAPERS (1800'S) THAT ANY "WHITE PERSON" THAT COULD BRING IN A REDSKIN (YES, THE SKIN OF A NATIVE PERSON) PROOF THAT THEY KILLED OFF A NATIVE PERSON THEY WOULD EITHER RECEIVE $ OR GOLD. BACK THEN ALOT OF NATIVE PEOPLE GOT WORD AND FAUGHT FOR THERE RIGHTS AND LIVES. BUT THERE WERE MANY CHILDREN, WOMAN, AND MEN THAT WERE KILLED FOR $$ AND GOLD (HENCE: nO DIFF. FROM HITLER) WHEN WHITE PEOPLE COULDNT FIND A NATIVE PERSON THEY WOULD BRING IN THE SKINS OF MEXICANS THAT TOO, LIVED AMONGST THE NATIVE PEOPLE. NOW IF THE PEOPLE OF CLINTON CAN GET A REAL EDUCATION AND A LIFE OF UNDERSTANDING "HUMAN KIND" MAYBE JUST MAYBE RACISM AND IGNORANCE WILL SLOWLY DWINDLE. BUT THAT TAKES SOMEONE TO GET A REAL EDUCATION TO LEARN THE TRUE HISTORY OF WHAT THEY "NOW" CALL THEIR OWN HOMELAND. WE WERE A PEACEFUL PEOPLE THAT OPENED OUR DOORS TO SAVE WHITE PEOPLE WHEN THEY CAME TO THIS LAND, NOW ACTIVISTS AND NATIVE PEOPLE ARE STILL BEING TREATED AS IF WE ARE THE FOREIGNERS.
Redskin Mascot
OK I am a "REDSKIN" born and raised and am even raising my children who are also proud to be a REDSKIN! My grandparents were proud REDSKINS and everyone that I went to High School with is proud to be a Clinton REDSKIN alumni. Why must you keep going on about this. We all said we do NOT want to change our mascot. We are not the only school with that Mascot either, so why are you not going after them. Is it because you are a GRADUATE from Clinton? Get over it and leave the school alone to take care of our children's education. Nobody that I know of in school with my children are ashamed of their mascot. We wear our name PROUDLY!!!!!! Get a life and leave this alone. We have followed all the steps that you wanted us to and we still come out on top everytime.
Proud Redskin, HUH?? To: Clinton Alumnist
If you were a PROUD Redskin...than you must be outta your mind. Thats like a black person saying there a proud Nigger.....comeon are you serious.
Anyone who CLAIMS to be an Original person of this country MUST BE FAKE!!! Cause No Original Native person of North America would ever make that remark.
Where is your lineage, status card proving who you are? If you dont have one then your NOT ONE....and if you do than your a sorry excuse of a Native American living in North America!!!! In the meantime I'll pray for your sorry ***
wow.
Okay, first of all, you said "Thats like a black person saying there a proud Nigger", um, have you heard ANY song on the radio recently? EVERY rap song contains lyrics calling themselves, and others, niggers. So obviously, they're proud. SECOND of all, you don't know that person, so stop making assumptions that that person is a fake American. How about you grow up and act your age, and maybe check your grammar every once in a while.
I have a joh
I'm one of those that find the Redsk-- mascot objectionable and I have a job. I pay taxes and I'll be darned if I should sit back and let public monies support racism. I've made the trip down to Clinton a couple times and one time I spoke at the board meeting. Besides me eight other spoke to the board, all in the most respectful and poignant manner that I thought they, the board, would surely agree on a vote to retire the Redsk-- mascot then and there. Not one person spoke on the merits of keeping a mascot so provocatively reprehensible. I think the board should skip the committees and deliberations and just change that unspeakable logo
women are models of resolve
and commitment that I consider admirable. I'm sure there were many times that they bristled when they saw the stereotypical western-style Indian and didn't say anything making Ed believe that nothing was wrong. Or hearing that sick word. 'Reds--- day after day while they're just trying to go to school or seeing people with psuedo war paint or tomahawk chopping or whooping like banshees and realizing there is something wrong. Maybe they didn't say anything because they knew they'd be attacked at a personal level but they are speaking now and we should respect their words by listening to them, not just with our ears but with our hearts and support their struggle to change a logo that is just wrong.
ITS A
ITS A MASCOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! is someone going to go to Manchester High School and say "Hey, Im Dutch! I don't fly! Change your school name!" Ill answer this for you, NO! they wont. Because of the simple fact that they have been the Flying Dutchmen for YEARS. As have we, the Clinton REDSKINS!!!!!!!!!!! And protesting with signs that say "Caution Racisim Ahead", all i have to say for that is wow. Your on some pretty horses, and you need to get off them. Someone tell me this, why werent the graduating classes of '08, '07, '06, '05, etc. Racist? What is it thats so terriable about the grad classes of '09 and above that you feel the need to protest at school events and GRADUATION days?!?! Hogwash is what i call all this crap. Your beyond rediculous. Go yell at Tecumseh for being the Indians! You have Royal blood in you, OH GEEZE! Lets go freak out on Blissfield. Was you GREAT GREAT GREAT GRADMAS SISTER a Viking? OH BOYY! Dundee you have heck coming your way.. For real people, lets leave it as it is. We're proud to be Redskins, cant you just swallow reality and accept it?
Flying Dutch
Being a Flying Dutchman is NO WAY Near as derogatory as being called a Redskin....you need to get educated and find out why REDSKIN is a negative statement / word, etc.....
You need to swallow some knowledge puulll your head outta your rear, and find out what the real reasons why Native people are upset. REMEMBER YOUR THE FOREIGNER HERE, if YOU DONT LIKE US MAKING A FUSS ABOUT IT....WHY DONT YOU AND ALL THE REST OF THE IGNORANT FOREIGN PEOPLE MOVE BACK TO YOUR so called HOMELANDS thats where you belong anyway!!!
geez
oh god! so what now? we are foreighners? what the heck! you sir, need to settle down, pull off you crabby pants and nake a nap!
listen here..
i was born and raised in Michigan. Lived in Brooklyn/Clinton my whole life. I was born on these grounds just as you were. Dont tell me what i should do, cause your opinion means very little to me. I dont need your schooling, my SCHOOL does that for me. HOW ABOUT YOU SWALLOW REALITY? Theres a start. Your invading our territory by coming to OUR SCHOOL and calling us racist. Grow up, were not the KKK. Were not out to kill, we do not seek blood. Redskin to us, is important and warrior like. Stop turning things around and making them negative. STOP TRYING TO RUIN OUR SCHOOL! I dont care if im offending any of you one bit, because youve offended me by bringing it to graduation last year where many of MY GOOD FRIENDS were graduating.
:)
Agreed Misha. Well said :) I'm a proud Tecumseh Indian, I would LOVE to see these idiots come to my school and say something about our name. It wouldn't end well for them haha.
Ed needs a life
DOES ANYONE KNOW THE REAL MEANING BEHIND REDSKIN? I WORK AT A LOCAL NATIVE AMERICAN AGENCY AND I AM FULL NATIVE AMERICAN, CURRENTLY THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN TAKEN UP FEDERALLY THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT, MOSTLY TO CHANGE THE REDSKIN NAME FROM WASHINGTON STATE NFL TEAM, AND LOCALLY TO EVERY RACIST TOWN IN AMERICA. THE MEANING OF REDSKIN CAME FROM DURING THE TIME OF THE CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH. BACK THEN WHITE PEOPLE OF THE CALIFORNIA GOVN WANTED TO GET RID OF THE NATIVE AMERICANS TO GET TO THE GOLD, SO IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN LOCAL PAPERS (1800'S) THAT ANY "WHITE PERSON" THAT COULD BRING IN A REDSKIN (YES, THE SKIN OF A NATIVE PERSON) PROOF THAT THEY KILLED OFF A NATIVE PERSON THEY WOULD EITHER RECEIVE $ OR GOLD. BACK THEN ALOT OF NATIVE PEOPLE GOT WORD AND FAUGHT FOR THERE RIGHTS AND LIVES. BUT THERE WERE MANY CHILDREN, WOMAN, AND MEN THAT WERE KILLED FOR $$ AND GOLD (HENCE: nO DIFF. FROM HITLER) WHEN WHITE PEOPLE COULDNT FIND A NATIVE PERSON THEY WOULD BRING IN THE SKINS OF MEXICANS THAT TOO, LIVED AMONGST THE NATIVE PEOPLE. NOW IF THE PEOPLE OF CLINTON CAN GET A REAL EDUCATION AND A LIFE OF UNDERSTANDING "HUMAN KIND" MAYBE JUST MAYBE RACISM AND IGNORANCE WILL SLOWLY DWINDLE. BUT THAT TAKES SOMEONE TO GET A REAL EDUCATION TO LEARN THE TRUE HISTORY OF WHAT THEY "NOW" CALL THEIR OWN HOMELAND. WE WERE A PEACEFUL PEOPLE THAT OPENED OUR DOORS TO SAVE WHITE PEOPLE WHEN THEY CAME TO THIS LAND, NOW ACTIVISTS AND NATIVE PEOPLE ARE STILL BEING TREATED AS IF WE ARE THE FOREIGNERS.
Sounds like EDs dried up.....Get a real clue on reality buddy
You need to swallow some knowledge puulll your head outta your rear, and find out what the real reasons why Native people are upset. REMEMBER YOUR THE FOREIGNER HERE, if YOU DONT LIKE US MAKING A FUSS ABOUT IT....WHY DONT YOU AND ALL THE REST OF THE IGNORANT FOREIGN PEOPLE MOVE BACK TO YOUR so called HOMELANDS thats where you belong anyway!!!
Problem is
To you guys the name Redskin does not mean anything! To Native Americans it means Dead Indians! It is a reminder of the things that happened to them.
I support these peoples actions and wish them the best because when we educate our selves on these types of thing we can understand what the meaning is of the word. We would certainly not open a new school and name it the "N" word would we? No because it is offensive to people and not right!
They are proud to be Redskins because that is what they know, it a name. They can be just as proud being called anything more appropriate also. Sit down with a Native American and listen to the pain in their voice when they speak about this topic. Just because some people do not care about the name does not make it right to use it! I will be happy when it's changed.
Get a life!
While your at it ... the name Clinton means nothing to you guys either .. but it reminds me of a former president I hate. Change that name too, because "I" am offended and "I" live here and "I" have the same rights as these people. "Clinton" makes me think about blue dresses and cigars, yecchh. Make it the "No Town - No Names" Paint the floor Black, oh wait, that could be considered racial ... hmmm ... white ... nooo ... okay teal.
Now, falling leaves offends me. To me, falling leaves mean fire, which smokes and stinks. Fire has killed people. My third cousing DIED while raking leaves. That is GENOCIDE too! I hereby DEMAND the National Hockey League no longer allow the Toronto franchise to be called the Maple Leafs. Now dammit, it is MY right.
Bulldogs crap in my yard. They bite people. THAT is offensive. Contact Adrian College. Time for a name change.
Tigers, Lions, Bears (oh, my) those are CARNIVORES. No sports team in their right mind should be named after something that KILLS other creatures BAN THEM NOW! The Detroit Parakeets should be sufficient.
YOU PEOPLE ARE INSANE!!!!!
This Post
Doses not even deserve a reply. Really come on! A Tad Bit Over The Top! Their is a vast difference with what you have said and a Name that is Truly Offensive to people because what it represents.
If you do not care, than that is your right, but so is it the right for many to not like it and take it as a constant reminder of what happened to their people. It's not just the name but also schools dressing up as Indians, with head dresses and feathers that represent special things to Native Americans. Many of these people doing this have no relation to Native Americans and to them is offensive.
So because it is not offensive to you, or you feel well lets just change everything! Does not change the fact that it is offensive to many and their are laws against it.
Perhaps to get more in site on the Native Americans you could contact:
Leh Nah Weh Native American
Organization
Abel Cool Wind Bear Cooper
President/Director of Schools & Communities
Phone# (517) 263-3233 Fax# (517) 265-4949
or E-MAIL us at lehnahweh@msn.com
This Post
No, my statements hold every ounce of validity as those of the Name Changers.
All sarcasm aside, you small-select few are tying up our court systems, our town councils, our kids ... all in the name of 'offensiveness'. I find what YOU are doing to be offensive and I have every right to demand that YOU cease and desist.
What happened 150 years ago is done. Get over it. That name now represents pride, a concept most, if not all of these protesters are completely unaware of, simply because they want to lay around and wallow in the sadness of the past. Losing the names like these will mean you will be forgotten instead of recognized as the proud people you once were.
I am sick to death of the American Court systems bowing to these self-righteous, special interest groups with no real motive other than to cause mayhem. I am tired of the spineless community leaders giving in to these absurd demands out of fear they might be labeled 'racists'. I commend Clinton for standing firm.
What YOU don't understand is every time you force these stupid name change issues, you set yourselves back. You isolate yourselves. You preach that you want knowledge and understanding of your history, yet you don't make the slightest effort to understand ours or the overall picture. If you did, you would know that name represents pride and not some obscure reference to genocide. Absurd.
i agree with SickOfYouAll
This is such crap! i am a REDSKIN in the 10th grade and i love this school and the name. ive been going to clinton schools since i was in pre-school and its so stupid that you take offense to our mascot. its just name, its just a mascot. the people protesting seem about 1/16 Native American and they say that they are offended just to throw a fit and make a big deal out of somethings that isnt even worth a little fuss. we are a small school, we mind our own bussiness so leave us alone. if who ever idiot does make us change our name doesnt mean that they will make us throw away all out redskin attire! repaint our gym, or make everyone get new class rings becasue ....oh no they say REDSKINS!
Spoken like a true ignorant person
Please read my comment above..... Im sure you would not like your children to be slaughtered over their WHITE SKIN and years later it being celebrated in every racist town in North America. You are a very simple minded ignorant person.
yeah okay. you keep
yeah okay. you keep thinking that.
IGNORANCE
Whether voting changes anything or doesnt....it will change in Washington DC then lil Simple minded people of Clinton will THEN get a slap in the face, cause it will then be a MANDATORY change.
yea right
oh nooo im shaking in my little redskin boots
ha ha
lets just wait and see how the voting goes next thursday...
GO RED, GO BLACK! REDSKIN TEAM ATTACK!
Calling a 16 year old ignorant is the way to be! As a Sophomore here at Clinton High Schoool, HOME OF THE REDSKINS! i can say in full honosty, that we wear our colors and school name with pride, not racisim. you guys can stand outside all you want and say that we are racist but that dosent mean we are. We are NOT going to change our school mascot, just because you cant take a compliment. We use the Redskin as a symbol, not as a slander. Stop with the nonsense. besides how do half of you feel being told off my mear children? This SHOULD be publicaly humiliuating for you. Word to the wise, just STOP. Jeeze, its almost like you people are 2 years old. Dont think were going to go down without a fight. If we were 'RACIST' as you say, dont you think we would WANT to change our school name to something a little more KKK friendly? Thanks for my time being wasted on your stupidity,
Misha May Taylor, Grad Class of 2012. CLINTON REDSKINS:)
IGNORANCE IS IN ALL AGES MISHA, you need a better education
DOES ANYONE KNOW THE REAL MEANING BEHIND REDSKIN? I WORK AT A LOCAL NATIVE AMERICAN AGENCY AND I AM FULL NATIVE AMERICAN, CURRENTLY THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN TAKEN UP FEDERALLY THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT, MOSTLY TO CHANGE THE REDSKIN NAME FROM WASHINGTON STATE NFL TEAM, AND LOCALLY TO EVERY RACIST TOWN IN AMERICA. THE MEANING OF REDSKIN CAME FROM DURING THE TIME OF THE CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH. BACK THEN WHITE PEOPLE OF THE CALIFORNIA GOVN WANTED TO GET RID OF THE NATIVE AMERICANS TO GET TO THE GOLD, SO IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN LOCAL PAPERS (1800'S) THAT ANY "WHITE PERSON" THAT COULD BRING IN A REDSKIN (YES, THE SKIN OF A NATIVE PERSON) PROOF THAT THEY KILLED OFF A NATIVE PERSON THEY WOULD EITHER RECEIVE $ OR GOLD. BACK THEN ALOT OF NATIVE PEOPLE GOT WORD AND FAUGHT FOR THERE RIGHTS AND LIVES. BUT THERE WERE MANY CHILDREN, WOMAN, AND MEN THAT WERE KILLED FOR $$ AND GOLD (HENCE: nO DIFF. FROM HITLER) WHEN WHITE PEOPLE COULDNT FIND A NATIVE PERSON THEY WOULD BRING IN THE SKINS OF MEXICANS THAT TOO, LIVED AMONGST THE NATIVE PEOPLE. NOW IF THE PEOPLE OF CLINTON CAN GET A REAL EDUCATION AND A LIFE OF UNDERSTANDING "HUMAN KIND" MAYBE JUST MAYBE RACISM AND IGNORANCE WILL SLOWLY DWINDLE. BUT THAT TAKES SOMEONE TO GET A REAL EDUCATION TO LEARN THE TRUE HISTORY OF WHAT THEY "NOW" CALL THEIR OWN HOMELAND. WE WERE A PEACEFUL PEOPLE THAT OPENED OUR DOORS TO SAVE WHITE PEOPLE WHEN THEY CAME TO THIS LAND, NOW ACTIVISTS AND NATIVE PEOPLE ARE STILL BEING TREATED AS IF WE ARE THE FOREIGNERS.
dude!
stop copy and pasting the same oh i work with and indian angency..... no one cares
WOW! ARE ALL CAPS NECESSARY???
My education is just fine very much. MY POINT IS YOUR TRYING TO CHANGE THE WAY LIFE HAS BEEN FOR YEARS. Your making a mountain out of a molehil. Youve ruined peoples graduations. Do you not see youve destroyed peoples last memories of high school? How would you feel if that was your childs graduation? of you have a problem, take it up with the adults. How would you feel as a parent if your childs graduation was protested. The graduating class felt attacked to say the least. you started a protest on THEIR graduation. Sickening, have some respect. Whoever declaired Clinton High School as Home of the Redskins, wasnt being racist. When we think of Redskin, we think of a mighty warrior and a winner. Hence the MIGHTY Redskins. They called Indians in Disneys Peter Pan, Redmen. Are you going to flip out about that too?
AND!!!!!!!......
YOU NEVER WRITE ANYTHING ORIGINAL! CARLYS RIGHT, STOP COPYING AND PASTING! If you were really soooooooooooo offended you would tell people what you think like big girl/boy and be realll. not click click and you have the website you got info froms knowledge. (In Peter Pan, they call Indians, Redmen. And the Redman is always asking "How?" Implying that he wants information, and knowledge. Sue Disney, leave CHS aone.) Weve had the name Redskins for around about 60 years. Why make it a point now? Why not 60 years ago, when they declaired it the Home of the Redskins? Please, and were the ignorant ones.
To the person that is "Sick of you ALL"
DOES ANYONE KNOW THE REAL MEANING BEHIND REDSKIN? I WORK AT A LOCAL NATIVE AMERICAN AGENCY AND I AM FULL NATIVE AMERICAN, CURRENTLY THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN TAKEN UP FEDERALLY THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT, MOSTLY TO CHANGE THE REDSKIN NAME FROM WASHINGTON STATE NFL TEAM, AND LOCALLY TO EVERY RACIST TOWN IN AMERICA. THE MEANING OF REDSKIN CAME FROM DURING THE TIME OF THE CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH. BACK THEN WHITE PEOPLE OF THE CALIFORNIA GOVN WANTED TO GET RID OF THE NATIVE AMERICANS TO GET TO THE GOLD, SO IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN LOCAL PAPERS (1800'S) THAT ANY "WHITE PERSON" THAT COULD BRING IN A REDSKIN (YES, THE SKIN OF A NATIVE PERSON) PROOF THAT THEY KILLED OFF A NATIVE PERSON THEY WOULD EITHER RECEIVE $ OR GOLD. BACK THEN ALOT OF NATIVE PEOPLE GOT WORD AND FAUGHT FOR THERE RIGHTS AND LIVES. BUT THERE WERE MANY CHILDREN, WOMAN, AND MEN THAT WERE KILLED FOR $$ AND GOLD (HENCE: nO DIFF. FROM HITLER) WHEN WHITE PEOPLE COULDNT FIND A NATIVE PERSON THEY WOULD BRING IN THE SKINS OF MEXICANS THAT TOO, LIVED AMONGST THE NATIVE PEOPLE. NOW IF THE PEOPLE OF CLINTON CAN GET A REAL EDUCATION AND A LIFE OF UNDERSTANDING "HUMAN KIND" MAYBE JUST MAYBE RACISM AND IGNORANCE WILL SLOWLY DWINDLE. BUT THAT TAKES SOMEONE TO GET A REAL EDUCATION TO LEARN THE TRUE HISTORY OF WHAT THEY "NOW" CALL THEIR OWN HOMELAND. WE WERE A PEACEFUL PEOPLE THAT OPENED OUR DOORS TO SAVE WHITE PEOPLE WHEN THEY CAME TO THIS LAND, NOW ACTIVISTS AND NATIVE PEOPLE ARE STILL BEING TREATED AS IF WE ARE THE FOREIGNERS.
:P
haha we won
There are alot of RUDE and IGNORANT PEOPLE IN CLINTON
DOES ANYONE KNOW THE REAL MEANING BEHIND REDSKIN? I WORK AT A LOCAL NATIVE AMERICAN AGENCY AND I AM FULL NATIVE AMERICAN, CURRENTLY THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN TAKEN UP FEDERALLY THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT, MOSTLY TO CHANGE THE REDSKIN NAME FROM WASHINGTON STATE NFL TEAM, AND LOCALLY TO EVERY RACIST TOWN IN AMERICA. THE MEANING OF REDSKIN CAME FROM DURING THE TIME OF THE CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH. BACK THEN WHITE PEOPLE OF THE CALIFORNIA GOVN WANTED TO GET RID OF THE NATIVE AMERICANS TO GET TO THE GOLD, SO IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN LOCAL PAPERS (1800'S) THAT ANY "WHITE PERSON" THAT COULD BRING IN A REDSKIN (YES, THE SKIN OF A NATIVE PERSON) PROOF THAT THEY KILLED OFF A NATIVE PERSON THEY WOULD EITHER RECEIVE $ OR GOLD. BACK THEN ALOT OF NATIVE PEOPLE GOT WORD AND FAUGHT FOR THERE RIGHTS AND LIVES. BUT THERE WERE MANY CHILDREN, WOMAN, AND MEN THAT WERE KILLED FOR $$ AND GOLD (HENCE: nO DIFF. FROM HITLER) WHEN WHITE PEOPLE COULDNT FIND A NATIVE PERSON THEY WOULD BRING IN THE SKINS OF MEXICANS THAT TOO, LIVED AMONGST THE NATIVE PEOPLE. NOW IF THE PEOPLE OF CLINTON CAN GET A REAL EDUCATION AND A LIFE OF UNDERSTANDING "HUMAN KIND" MAYBE JUST MAYBE RACISM AND IGNORANCE WILL SLOWLY DWINDLE. BUT THAT TAKES SOMEONE TO GET A REAL EDUCATION TO LEARN THE TRUE HISTORY OF WHAT THEY "NOW" CALL THEIR OWN HOMELAND. WE WERE A PEACEFUL PEOPLE THAT OPENED OUR DOORS TO SAVE WHITE PEOPLE WHEN THEY CAME TO THIS LAND, NOW ACTIVISTS AND NATIVE PEOPLE ARE STILL BEING TREATED AS IF WE ARE THE FOREIGNERS.
TO: Sick of you all and YOUR get a life statement.....
According to this statement ........u made...."Tigers, Lions, Bears (oh, my) those are CARNIVORES. No sports team in their right mind should be named after something that KILLS other creatures BAN THEM NOW! The Detroit Parakeets should be sufficient. "...
White People who created the "Redskins" remark were murderers, it was all about the California Gold Rush....WHITE PEOPLE paid other WHITE PEOPLE to KILL Native People for there REDSKINS.....in order to move them out of Gold Rush territory......HELLO so we should consider the source no matter what names are used. So it shows how REALLY ignorant the WHITE PEOPLE of CLINTON really ARE!!!
Very simple minded people you are there in CLINTON!! Its kinda funny how much of the hillbilly lifestyle you still try to live, maybe go to school and get an education!!!
ooo its a native american student!
its not like everyone in clinton picked the name redskins. so not ALL people of clinton are ignorant. and the gold rush was a hell of along time ago. its in the past so you shouldnt get so hyped up about it. seriously grow some balls and accept it.
I really do think that the
I really do think that the school board has bigger things to worry about rite now. The mascot has been this for how long, and with in the last 2 years people now have a problem? There was a pettition passed, people are obviously fine with that name, move on. The bigger problem is that they did not get their way and are now going to have a hissy fit, and get the ACLU involoved (this is not violating their civil rights) and cost the school district thousands of dollars. Dollars that can be used for our children's educations!
I don't get it...
If they are Native Americans and they find it offensive, it is their right to be upset and try to change things. Who are we to tell them to get lost? I graduated from Eastern Michigan when they were forced to change their name from the Hurons to the Eagles. Guess what, everyone survived. I understand that the mascot and name is dear to everyone's heart. People obviously want to keep the name and mascot around and that's ok, but don't slam these people for standing up for what they believe in.
To: Hmmm
Thank you for the Comment...and of coarse you went to EASTERN your only a few intelligent people who understand. Takes an educated person to understand all perspectives and not be simple minded.
mascot
What I do get is that the citizens and taxpayers of the village of Clinton consider this a done issue and these women don't get it. The citizens spoke their piece. This insanity comes at a time when being politically correct in an unfriendly time of financial stress has to be put aside. Throwing money at a done issue when tax dollars are becoming scarce is insane. The money at issue to change a nickname would be large in scope(i.e. logo development, scheme makeup, paperwork, etc.) to submit to the MHSAA. I also recall when EMU changed their name, that the Huron tribal council was upset with EMU. For one the council was upset it wasn't consulted on it and two, it took away publicity for the tribe. Hopefully an easy name change might be to "Chiefs" without adding to the cost expense of changing the logo.
Redskin Mascot
The biggest problem with these women is that they are not standing up for what they believe in..........they are standing up for a cause to get them noticed. (Watch the video they were on cloud 9 with that camera in their face.
They say they are grads from Clinton, now that they are professional students (not in the real world, yet) they want to find a cause for their 15 minutes in the spot light. If they want to take time away from the school board I voted in then they should be charged for the appropriate time. Why do I and all the other Clinton residents have to pay for these camera seeking womens efforts to distract the board from their primary mission...educating my kids!
Go away! start paying property taxes! those of us that do pay taxes have spoken and told you/them to go away!
And........no one in Clinton that I know of have killed any "Redskins" as one commentor wrote. If Redskin at one point was a derogatory term it has morphed into a positive prideful term for those of us that are PROUD TO BE A REDSKIN AND REDSKIN PARENT!
Now PLEASE go away and let the board do their job, budget cuts are coming and the board having to endure the self serving rhetoric repeatedly only makes their job of EDUCATING KIDS more arduous.
More important things
I thought this was over also...I am not sure what agenda these girls have against Clinton ..Did someone from the administration or one of the teachers not give in to your little fits while attending CHS???
I am guessing you didn't get your way back then and are hoping to by trying to get your way now. The Village has spoken as a whole that we don't want the name changed..So why are you just after the school? A petition was filed and the people spoke,,so I guess whatever cause you are looking to next should be addressed now..you said you walked the halls of the school and felt nothing,,then don't walk the halls or streets of Clinton..you don't live here anymore so just go where you live and start your next cause.. because we as a community have better things to worry about right now..like how to make sure our REDSKIN students get a better education,,we love our REDSKIN name and mean no disrespect to anyone..actually I have Indian blood in my veins as do a lot of us but we are not bothered by a name. There are far better things to worry about right now,,like take some of your time and help the homeless ,,take them to dinner or buy a child with no coat a coat..now that is something worth doing. or make sure they know where their next meal is coming from.
Totally agree
What ever happened to the old saying; "Sticks and Stones My Break My Bones But Names Will Never Hurt Me". Come on now people, it's just a name. And it is nothing like using the "N" word as previously stated. The mascot name Redskins is not used in a derogatory manner to offend anyone. If anyone was to go back and check the history books maybe we can find why the name was used as the Clinton mascot. Maybe because it is so close to Tecumseh and they wanted to be included in the heritage of the Native Americans in the area also? Humm?
This town, county, state and country has too many other real issues that need to be protested for the good of the people, than to worry about something as trival as this that only a few are truely interested. Not to say they that they can't peacefully protest. That's there constitutional right. And if they want to stand out in the cold to do so, more power to them. But to think that so many should shell out more money to change things that only effect a few is wishful thinking.
The community has aready spoken about thier willingness to change, but I guess if the Clinton board is like the Tecumseh board, they wouldn't really care what the people wanted and they would do whatever they wanted anyways.
community
The Clinton Community does NOT want the name changed,,,the board is doing what the people said..they are following the people's voice,,we do not want it changed..
The history of the Redskins goes back many years to when the football team wore red shirts and a man that followed the team and loved them started calling them redskins,,because of their red shirts,,,so nothing to do with Indians or blood or killing or anything..just the color of a shirt...
This has been explained to these girls and they choose to just dishonor this man that loved his football team and hence started the name REDSKINS.. I would love his family to tell them how they feel about them dishonoring their Grandpa, father, great grandfather,,he didn't mean anything bad...
I would be upset to think that something so small that my grandpa did would cause this kind of a reaction,, when he was honoring a beloved team.
red shirt?
Then why the clipart Indian for a mascot? Why not gramps with a red shirt for a mascot?
To Rdsk Gma: The WHOLE City needs an Education!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DOES ANYONE KNOW THE REAL MEANING BEHIND REDSKIN? I WORK AT A LOCAL NATIVE AMERICAN AGENCY AND I AM FULL NATIVE AMERICAN, CURRENTLY THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN TAKEN UP FEDERALLY THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT, MOSTLY TO CHANGE THE REDSKIN NAME FROM WASHINGTON STATE NFL TEAM, AND LOCALLY TO EVERY RACIST TOWN IN AMERICA. THE MEANING OF REDSKIN CAME FROM DURING THE TIME OF THE CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH. BACK THEN WHITE PEOPLE OF THE CALIFORNIA GOVN WANTED TO GET RID OF THE NATIVE AMERICANS TO GET TO THE GOLD, SO IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN LOCAL PAPERS (1800'S) THAT ANY "WHITE PERSON" THAT COULD BRING IN A REDSKIN (YES, THE SKIN OF A NATIVE PERSON) PROOF THAT THEY KILLED OFF A NATIVE PERSON THEY WOULD EITHER RECEIVE $ OR GOLD. BACK THEN ALOT OF NATIVE PEOPLE GOT WORD AND FAUGHT FOR THERE RIGHTS AND LIVES. BUT THERE WERE MANY CHILDREN, WOMAN, AND MEN THAT WERE KILLED FOR $$ AND GOLD (HENCE: nO DIFF. FROM HITLER) WHEN WHITE PEOPLE COULDNT FIND A NATIVE PERSON THEY WOULD BRING IN THE SKINS OF MEXICANS THAT TOO, LIVED AMONGST THE NATIVE PEOPLE. NOW IF THE PEOPLE OF CLINTON CAN GET A REAL EDUCATION AND A LIFE OF UNDERSTANDING "HUMAN KIND" MAYBE JUST MAYBE RACISM AND IGNORANCE WILL SLOWLY DWINDLE. BUT THAT TAKES SOMEONE TO GET A REAL EDUCATION TO LEARN THE TRUE HISTORY OF WHAT THEY "NOW" CALL THEIR OWN HOMELAND. WE WERE A PEACEFUL PEOPLE THAT OPENED OUR DOORS TO SAVE WHITE PEOPLE WHEN THEY CAME TO THIS LAND, NOW ACTIVISTS AND NATIVE PEOPLE ARE STILL BEING TREATED AS IF WE ARE THE FOREIGNERS.
hideous walls
With changing the logo some much needed redecorating would be in order. Firstly the school should paint all the hideous displays of names and lame attempts at psuedo Indian art on the walls. The names could be transfered to one of those large flap displays you see in other schools near an entrance and a light pastel coating could really brighten the place up. Id'd contribute to a paint fund if the need arises.
Excuse Me.
What? Hideous displays of names????? You need to check yourself, cause those "hideous displays of names" happen to be some of my friends. Your belligerent, stop insulting a school you obviously dont know a thing about. Check your facts before you just start typing useless crap. Your pathetic.
ED, Regarding kids needing a Education HELL parents need it 2
DOES ANYONE KNOW THE REAL MEANING BEHIND REDSKIN? I WORK AT A LOCAL NATIVE AMERICAN AGENCY AND I AM FULL NATIVE AMERICAN, CURRENTLY THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN TAKEN UP FEDERALLY THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT, MOSTLY TO CHANGE THE REDSKIN NAME FROM WASHINGTON STATE NFL TEAM, AND LOCALLY TO EVERY RACIST TOWN IN AMERICA. THE MEANING OF REDSKIN CAME FROM DURING THE TIME OF THE CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH. BACK THEN WHITE PEOPLE OF THE CALIFORNIA GOVN WANTED TO GET RID OF THE NATIVE AMERICANS TO GET TO THE GOLD, SO IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN LOCAL PAPERS (1800'S) THAT ANY "WHITE PERSON" THAT COULD BRING IN A REDSKIN (YES, THE SKIN OF A NATIVE PERSON) PROOF THAT THEY KILLED OFF A NATIVE PERSON THEY WOULD EITHER RECEIVE $ OR GOLD. BACK THEN ALOT OF NATIVE PEOPLE GOT WORD AND FAUGHT FOR THERE RIGHTS AND LIVES. BUT THERE WERE MANY CHILDREN, WOMAN, AND MEN THAT WERE KILLED FOR $$ AND GOLD (HENCE: nO DIFF. FROM HITLER) WHEN WHITE PEOPLE COULDNT FIND A NATIVE PERSON THEY WOULD BRING IN THE SKINS OF MEXICANS THAT TOO, LIVED AMONGST THE NATIVE PEOPLE. NOW IF THE PEOPLE OF CLINTON CAN GET A REAL EDUCATION AND A LIFE OF UNDERSTANDING "HUMAN KIND" MAYBE JUST MAYBE RACISM AND IGNORANCE WILL SLOWLY DWINDLE. BUT THAT TAKES SOMEONE TO GET A REAL EDUCATION TO LEARN THE TRUE HISTORY OF WHAT THEY "NOW" CALL THEIR OWN HOMELAND. WE WERE A PEACEFUL PEOPLE THAT OPENED OUR DOORS TO SAVE WHITE PEOPLE WHEN THEY CAME TO THIS LAND, NOW ACTIVISTS AND NATIVE PEOPLE ARE STILL BEING TREATED AS IF WE ARE THE FOREIGNERS.
Post new comment