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COAIM BLOG CO AIM LATEST NEWS MEDIA
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Mr. Pete Golden,Principal Dear Mr. Golden, May 24, 1993 As a follow-up to a recent, brief conversation with you I would like to remind you that I find the continued use of the mascot "Braves" and the caricature logo that your school uses to be highly demeaning and offensive to native peoples. I am a long time parent in Adams County School District #50 and have had children, off and on, in Hodgkins Middle School since the early 1970's. Currently, I have two children enrolled there. As a parent, I try to instill a sense of self-esteem and self-pride in my children, knowing how critical this is to their future. Each and every school-day, my children are required to view the cartoon "brave" that is so prominently displayed in the front entrance hall of the school. They are to understand from this how their race is viewed by the majority culture. Throughout the school building there are other silly drawings and paintings supposedly representing native peoples, so that my children's minds are inundated throughout the school day with this negative and insulting view of themselves. During this crucial developmental stage of their lives, they face all day every day, this subliminal assault to their of sense pride in who they are and where they came from. I believe about one percent of the student population at Hodgkins Middle School is Native American children. This is, however, beside the point. Even if there were no native children in attendance the continued use of the words and pictures perpetuates stereotypes, subtly teaches racial prejudice, and degrades an entire race of people. I am asking now that you stop the use of the name "Braves" as the school mascot and discontinue the use of all inaccurate and degrading drawn representations of native peoples, specifically that you remove the caricature logo on the floor of the front entrance. Since the school year is nearly over, I would appreciate your immediate response. I would not like the 1993-94 school session to begin with no changes having been made. Thank you very much for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, |
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