Would a high school choose a Japanese samurai as its mascot and call itself "the Yellowskin"? Maybe a Zulu warrior mascot and the nickname "the Blackskin"? How about a Maori warrior mascot, with the name "the Brownskin"? Or would they have the good sense to realize each of those mascots plays into a racial stereotype based on skin color?
Anderson High School, it seems, still needs a lesson on good sense.
After months of debate, a committee formed to see whether the school would change its Native American "Redskin" mascot, failed to come to a decision. Therefore, the Redskin mascot will stay at Anderson.
Some current and former students say that the name "Redskin" isn't racist. That it celebrates a proud history and warrior and the traditions of the school. What they apparently can't see is that the very term "redskin" is used to point out non-whiteness. Like any other racial slur, the term "redskin" dehumanizes, putting emphasis on a person's melanin, rather than their character or intelligence.
The committee stated that it would cost thousands of dollars in the short term to change the mascot. But continuing to keep and support having a racial stereotype as a mascot could have long-term effects.
Kevin Necessary is the editorial cartoonist for WCPO. His opinion does not reflect that of WCPO.
