Opinion

Old Town Massacres Mascot

Native American mascots going the way of buffalo

By Riley Donovans

Posted on Nov. 17, 2005, at 12:00 a.m.

Old Town High School joined a growing list of Maine schools that have changed their mascot. The school overwhelmingly decided to get rid of the Indian mascot that had represented the school since its beginning.

The Scarborough Redskins changed their name a couple of years ago to the Red Storm. What the heck is a Red Storm? Most people thought that Old Town would never end its reign as the Indians. After all, the majority of the residents of Indian Island, who are Old Town residents and send their kids to Old Town schools, did not support the name change in the school’s mascot.

Apparently their say in the matter does not mean much to those who have taken it upon themselves to rid Maine of any honor that may have been given to an American Indian or tribe. For example, the suggested name change in several Maine mountains and towns that were given Indian names or named after an Indian tribe, is another means for argument.

Perhaps those who have decided to push for name changes are prejudiced. Maybe they are prejudiced against American Indians. It’s a good thing, I guess, that they are only prejudiced against American Indians, because, say for example, they were prejudiced against Irish people. Maybe they would “take offense” to the Fighting Irish mascot of Notre Dame.

Several sports leagues have banned names that are “derogatory” toward Americans Indians. This leaves the team no choice but to change their mascot. So what, then, will Old Town be? The Islanders? There is an entire list of possible names, but for the time being Old Town High School and Middle School Braves will go without mascots.

There are only a few towns that still have their Warrior, Redskin or Indian nicknames. Perhaps they are the next to go. But then who? The Cleveland Indians? The Atlanta Braves?

For the time being Indian school nicknames will continue to be changed. But, it may even spread beyond that. Take for example the Brewer Witches. This must be offensive to someone, right? What about the Caribou Vikings? The Central Devils? John Bapst Crusaders? There must be someone out there who will take offense to these.

If we keep getting rid of names like these, we then get names like the Texans, the Jaguars, or the Panthers, or even better, the Red Storm.

Orrington just changed its mascot to the “Riley Donovans.”

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 17th, 2005, 12:00 am. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.