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NAACP Representatives speaking at March 2010 Clinton School Board meeting VIDEO
The following story appeared in the March 18, 2010, issue of the Tecumseh Herald:
By CRISTINA TRAPANI-SCOTT
CLINTON — Members of the Lenawee County NAACP were among those who attended the regular meeting of the Clinton Communities Schools Board of Education Monday night in protest of the Redskin mascot.
Tecumseh resident Jeanette Henagan, president of the NAACP in Lenawee County, addressed the board during the public comment portion of the meeting.
“I’ve lived in Lenawee County most of my life and raised my children here, so that gives me the responsibility and obligation when something’s wrong to step up and say something’s wrong,” said Henagan before reading a resolution adopted by the National NAACP calling for its members to discontinue the purchase of items and support of organizations that use Native American logos.
Monday was the first time representatives of the NAACP have come to a Clinton School Board meeting since sisters Kylista and Elspeth Geiger, Clinton Community Schools alumni first began speaking out about the issue more than a year ago. The two have attended every school board meeting since then and have organized members of the Native American community in the area for monthly protests.
The women attempted to have the issue put on the school agenda in November of last year, but the matter was put to community vote via a petition. Henagan refered to the petition drive in her address.
“Issues involving racism or civil rights should not depend on a majority vote,” Henagan said just before her three minutes speaking time ended. Fellow NAACP member Patricia Gray reiterated what Henagan said.
“What I wanted to impress upon you that whether you change the use of a derogatory or racist name for a school mascot, it shouldn’t be a situation where there is a majority vote and that’s considered…that dictates to the minority how things are going to be. It should be a situation where the right thing is done, even if it’s not the most popular opinion,” Gray said.
The Geigers, along with others, continue to offer pleas for change. Linda Cypret-Kilbourne, who has supported the Geiger’s efforts since the start of the initiative, presented newspaper clippings that showed another community that switched mascots from Redskins to Redhawks.
“As you can see from these photos,” she said. “These people are not distressed. They’re happy. The kids did great. The community’s doing good.”
Two members of the community voiced support for the school district. Joyce Cook said she took offense to nonresidents coming to the meetings and telling her what should be done in her community. Larry Sanborn spoke on another issue, but mentioned after his comments that he was in support of keeping the mascot.
No board action was taken on the issue.
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I would like to publicly applaud the comments shared by Linda Cypret-Kilbourne and the NAACP members that attended and spoke at the Clinton Board of Education meeting.
Again, civil rights issues should NOT be determined by majority rule, that's just absurd!
Kylista and Elspeth Geiger I am proud of your efforts and look forward to a time when Clinton moves forward as other communities have.
Clinton Redskins
Interesting how individuals with political agendas want to portray this as a "Civil Rights" issue, which is at the very least ridiculous. The use of Redskins as a mascot name has absolutely no "racist" connotation, and further violates no "Civil Rights" of any individual or race. Just because a few individuals call the Redskin mascot name racist or a civil right issue does not make it such. If fact, no such claim can be substantiated because it is neither racist, in intent or content, and aqbsolutely no rights have been violated. Misguided political correctness prapaganda, so yes the majority rule has spoken and the right in a true democracy has been expressed. Its also interesting how some of these same individuals resort to name calling when they can not support their position. I guess it gets lonely up on a pedestal. Regardless of the outcome, which hopefully the will of the community will prevail, it will always be the Clinton Redskins, a long honored name and tradition. In the end this is nothing more than two opposing opinions, one held by the vast majority, and the other by a few, and noones life will be changed one way or the other in the end.
Let's just call them the BLACKSKINS...why not..its NOT about me!
I have a child of many colors who is 14 years old who is not only offended by the mascot, but puzzled at the intractable lack of sensitivity that folks label and elevate to the level of tradition. His life is changed every time he hears the name Redskin. He is righteously offended at the co-opting of an image of a people who have long been pawns to the white man. People who look like him. How could you possibly debate that? Do you think that is OVER? Do you not see the use of this name and image as an extension of the original and ongoing offense of exploitation? If the expressiion of a true democracy is limited to majority opinion, then you Mr, Ingersoll, and the rest of us are prey to demagoguery and the thrall of the mob. Why would calling them the Darkies or the Spearchuckers any less offensive to anyone? In the end, this blatant RACISM (and do not pretend to call it anything else) hurts ALL children..whichever color. It perpetuates white entitlement and insulates children from really understanding what is in the hearts and minds of those of color.
Break it down, Clinton. Break it all down. Don't hide behind the school tradition and spirit thing, because it doesn't really work on an intellectual, social or political level. It is hopeful that Tecumseh, where I live will have a similar wake-up call.
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