November 13,3
ksday, November 13, 2001
THE BATTALION
Page 11
et off the warpath
exas school districts should change offensive mascot names
• 'j
-C.0GERS • THE BA'
■»<ltte Texas M;:
J diversity Friday
■ Jimed from ft
■s.They haveai
t scheme."
* Sooners cameo
^gies. They mi
veekend.
►ened this wed
► art of." Baberi
f'ter [Texas], Wt
et
BRIEANNE
PORTER
I n an era when it is hip to be political
ly correct, correctness lacks in many
parts of the nation, especially Texas.
The American Indian Resource Council
is working to get schools in the San
Antonio area to change the
names of their mascots.
While it may seem to be
a part of American cul
ture to have names like
“Braves” and “Redskins” as school
mascots, these names not only offend
many Native Americans, they also
encourage stereotypes. This encour
agement is wrong, and these
schools should consider changing
• their mascots.
In the San Antonio area
alone, there are at least 20
schools that have Indian-relat-
V.; 5 | .. ed names. While the names
were not meant to offend
Native Americans originally,
they have continued to pro
mote the idea of the ‘noble
savage’ that H.D. Thoreau
once wrote about. In a Houston
Chronicle article, Jonathan
Hook, president of the
American Indian Resource
Council, said these names por
tray Native Americans as “sav
age, war-like people.”
Anyone who has had a history
class beyond the fifth grade will
^ r know that Native Americans were no
wm more savage or war-like than the settlers.
While settlers were moving westward and
claiming all land for themselves. Native
Americans had to fight to keep the land that
they had lived on for centuries before the set
tlers appeared. Yet, the most common picture
of a Native American is one riding a horse with
a tomahawk in hand, chasing down a poor,
innocent settler.
This image is the one that Hollywood and
grade-school history classes have used to brain
washed America. To say that Native Americans
are savage is to disregard a greater truth. When
the settlers landed here, they did not understand
the Native Americans anymore than the the
JOE PEDEN • THE BATTALION
Native Americans understood them. But it seems that the
only history lessons that are given are ones on how the
Native Americans were savages. These mascot names
just perpetuate these images of false history.
When schools have mascot names like “Warriors” or
“Braves”, inevitably head dresses and war dances are
used in celebrations. Even though the students and
schools may not mean any disrespect to Native
Americans, head dresses are religious objects, and using
them is an insult to Native Americans. Hook said, “They
will wear feather bonnets, and that’s a religious object to
us. It’s like using a cross to boost spirit at a football
game.” The mock dances are offensive and make a
mockery of time-honored celebrations for Native
Americans. Schools should be conscience of respecting
all cultures including that of the Native Americans.
Another problem that needs to be addressed in Texas
is the use of offensive Native American words for the
names of places. The use of the word “squaw” particu
larly is offensive to Native-American women.
According to Hook, “Most modern American Indian
groups now consider ‘squaw’ an obscene reference to a
These names not only offend
many Native Americans, they
also encourage stereotypes.
woman’s body part.” Yet in Texas there are 21 places
that have the word in their names.
It is disrespectful for the state to continue using a
name that is obscene and degrading to a group of
American citizens. While one may argue that these
names are not a sign of disrespect, but a part of
American culture, that is ignorant and wrong. These
names may be a part of the past culture, but today they
only show a lack of respect and understanding for
groups that are not the majority. These names do not add
anything to American culture unless it is to show how
Americans are content with stereotyping and disregard
ing a part of their society.
These names must be removed and replaced with
names that Lise native languages or honoring a person or
group of people. It is inconceivable to believe that today,
not only in Texas but in many parts of the nation,
America has let such obvious disrespectful and stereo
typical names to remain.
Brieanne Porter is a junior
political science major.
As America faces security issues,
some pranks are just not funny
lear Academy)
■ms
i
Happy Hot!
8:00 p.m.-lMSf
Every Nijki
All Nielli Lon? s
Thursday!
dl on a
Si 7 UniversityP 1
979-84^
res on LivcMiii 1
■dIORS
rements
inting
-tov. 30 ,h
st you ready to
ne week
-design
miss i( • see
mbrance Displa'i
■duate Notepads
inling.com
Station I
ad & Hollemanl I
*-5:30 J
T wo Clear Brook High School
seniors were arrested recently
after dropping rolls of toilet
paper and paper towels from an air
plane on two high school football
fields in Houston. They were charged
on Oct. 31 with
deadly conduct and
released on a
$30,000 bail. Deadly
conduct is classified
as a Class A misde
meanor, and is pun-
RUBY ishable by up to
i ff one year in jail
and/or a $4,000
Fine if convicted.
Many in the community believe
that this act, classified as deadly con
duct, is ridiculous, and an overreac
tion to the Sept. 1 1 terrorist attacks.
But the 17-year-old boys made a poor
choice, and must accept their punish
ment. As the country is on high alert
for security reasons, would-be
pranksters must realize that joking in
such a way cannot be tolerated.
The seriousness of irresponsible
pranks was even present at Texas A&M
recently. A white powder spilled in a
hallway in Dunn Hall shows that even
college students are not above the
temptation to act stupid. Those respon
sible for the Dunn Hall prank should
be punished to the extent of the law.
In the aftermath of Sept. 11, people
are now exerting more caution than
ever, and are still frightened more than
normal by unusual sightings and
objects being dropped from the air.
About 200 people called in that day to
report the plane flying unusually low
and dropping unknown objects from
the plane. While officials agree that
there was no threat in the prank, this
must be used as an example to show
that no actions with even a remote
chance of being a threat to citizens
will be dealt with lightly. Especially in
a time of heightened sensitivity to
such ideas, all concerns must be han
dled with more caution than under dif
ferent circumstances. These two stu
dents were likely aware of the state of
the nation and chose nonetheless to
commit an act which obviously over
rode their better judgment, and as a
result must be forced to take conse
quences for their actions. Ignorance
and immaturity are not excuses for
thoughtless, irresponsible pranks.
These untimely pranks are compara
ble with the numerous school shootings
across the nation. After the tragedies,
many lawmakers have righty pushed
for a zero-tolerance policy, ranging
from a year suspension for a bomb
threat to putting 14-year-olds on a
$100,000 bail, with the possibility of
life in prison, for a mass killing threat.
Many people argue that this is
uncalled for, that the public is just over
reacting. Perhaps it is, but whether it is
in line with what is acceptable or not, it
is absolutely necessary.
The statement will be made through
this decision that no threat to the public
will be tolerated, regardless of the
threat, whether it was merely intended
as a prank or not. Any threat to the
well-being and safety of the public must
be dealt with severely in order to
enforce the idea that terrorizing citizens
is not acceptable.
Still, in the case of the two young
men, some people think that the bail
was too high, that perhaps the punish
ment and classification too extreme.
However, one thing is certain; these
boys will never forget this. And as a
result, will hopefully learn from this
experience, and realize that it is not
only dangerous to pull a stunt like that
but it is also morally wrong, as they
have infringed upon the rights of the
unsuspecting people who were fright
ened into thinking something terrible
was happening. And through this pun
ishment and harsh classification of the
act, it is demonstrated law enforce
ment is serious about protecting our
citizens.
Ruby Lee is a sophomore
computer science major.
MAIL CALL
War Hymn should remain like it is
In response to Richard Bray's Nov. 12 column:
There are several things wrong with this suggestion and
resolution. The first should be obvious, and that is tradition.
This a university that prides itself on tradition. Since the induc
tion of the War Hymn, Aggies always have repeated the sec
ond verse, because, as Bray stated, "Aggies decided that the
first verse sounded too much like the Ivy-League fight songs."
When you have RHA passing a resolution on this, and then
passing a resolution in support of Bonfire, they are picking and
choosing which traditions they believe we should keep. What's
next, will we start singing "We are the Aggies, the Aggies so
true, we're from Texas A.M.U." when we sing “The Spirit?"
I do not see where visitors do not take A&M seriously
because of our War Hymn. Bray also makes it sound as if we
are the only school that attacks another school in their fight
song. The UT fight song, Texas Fight’ states, "Texas Fight!
Texas Fight! / and it's good-bye to A&M. / Texas Fight! Texas
Fight! / and we'll put over one more win."
I encourage all Aggies to join together to sing the second
verse twice, not only when we play UT but anytime we sing
the War Hymn.
Justin Williamson
Class of 2005
The tradition for excellence
When I earned my degree from Texas A&M, I looked at that
diploma as one might look at owning a blue chip stock. It was
a good investment and one that, when presented as a cre
dential, is valued by those who judge accomplishments.
However, countless other Aggies around the world and
myself, who have worked hard to earn this degree, have
turned over a tremendous challenge to those coming from
behind — increase the value of my stock.
Much has been made recently about traditions at A&M. But
I was proud with the way the current crop of Aggies stood to
the adversity of the Bonfire. I was proud at the Oklahoma
State football game, too. It was my son's birthday, and I
bought the tickets as a present to him. I did not know that the
game held any significance, and we showed up, struggling to
find a parking place and fighting the crowds and wondering
where the heck was the traditional maroon.
I was overwhelmed with a pride of where I attended school
and that my children and wife were there to witness this accom
plishment. That a handful of students could accomplish what
was accomplished that day is truly amazing. And once you get
out into the real world, away from the protected campus, you
will find that it is accomplishment that you will be judged on,
not whether you allowed cheerleaders at football games.
My degree, earned with a lot of pain and determination on
my part and the support and love of those close to me, means
as much to me as it means to my wife, my mother, father and
my children. It means accomplishment. Because of my pride,
I do not want A&M to be like any other school in the world.
This is a selfish sentiment. I want A&M to be the tradition
for excellence.
There needs to be a new spirit in Aggieland: a spirit of
excellence. We need a new sense of where we are going, to
what heights we should attain. Not if, but when. With future
leadership of the campus administration should come a new
desire to be the best the world has to offer. Let's not set our
sights on UT Let's not set our sights so low that our accom
plishments are dwarfed by our desires. We truly are unique
and truly inspired. Our deeds are our words, and we need
direction to mold our deeds.
I ask all students and former students to stand united
against mediocrity. Demand excellence. Do not set the bar too
low, but raise it so all can prosper. Each dean of a college
should be asking themselves, "What can I do to make my col
lege the best the world has to offer?" Each professor must ask,
"What more can I teach my students?" Each student should
demand from themselves and their leadership excellence.
A&M should stand for the best we can offer. It should be the
home of excellence and it can be if you continue to achieve.
Focus there, and everything else will take care of itself.
Fred B. Hink
Class of 1985
The Battalion encourages letters to the editor. Letters must be
300 words or less and include the author’s name, class and
phone number.
The opinion editor reserves the right to edit letters for length,
style and accuracy. Letters may be submitted in person at 014
Reed McDonald with a valid student ID. Letters also may be
mailed to:
014 Reed McDonald • MS 1111
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX
77843-1111
Fax: (979) 845-2647
Mail Call: mailcall@thebatt.com
Email: opinion@thebatt.com