Replace Algood's Racist School Mascots
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Almost 4000 people have signed the petition to replace the Algood school mascots, the Redskins and Braves. https://www.change.org/p/the-school-board-change-the-algood-middle-school-mascot With your support, we will be able to start a postcard campaign, purchase T-shirts, buttons, and billboards to raise awareness for the cause. We will not give up until our goal is achieved.
We want our children to learn why mascots depicting Native Americans are not honorable, but harmful and demeaning to Indigenous people.
Algood Middle School’s mascot is a Native American caricature that has been controversial for decades. In fact, it is the most demeaning representation of the indigenous Native American identity. The word Redskin has never had a positive connotation. The use of the word has been condemned by the National Congress of American Indians, to which virtually all tribes belong.
The R-word is the moral equivalent of the N-word. It packs the same level of bigotry and insensitivity for Native Americans as any other racial slur. Additionally, it refers to the horrifying practice of skinning Native People.
Mascots and names of local schools have been changed in the past, and for less offensive reasons. For example, the Northeast Trojans are now the Eagles, allegedly because a (white) father did not want his son’s school to be associated with a condom brand. Parkview’s Rockets are now the Pandas. Sycamore were the Scorpions and now they are the Stars. Prescott, when it was the building close to TTU, was initially Prescott Middle School, abbreviated to P.M.S., thus the addition of Central, making it P.C.M.S; now we know the school as Prescott South.
In an effort to put an end to stereotyping and racism, we ask that Algood Middle School remove the Redskin as the school’s mascot and all associated images. Changing the Algood Elementary School’s mascot - the Braves - which, though not as offensive, is also perceived as disrespectful by the Native Indian community, should also be considered.
We want our children to learn why mascots depicting Native Americans are not honorable, but harmful and demeaning to Indigenous people.
Algood Middle School’s mascot is a Native American caricature that has been controversial for decades. In fact, it is the most demeaning representation of the indigenous Native American identity. The word Redskin has never had a positive connotation. The use of the word has been condemned by the National Congress of American Indians, to which virtually all tribes belong.
The R-word is the moral equivalent of the N-word. It packs the same level of bigotry and insensitivity for Native Americans as any other racial slur. Additionally, it refers to the horrifying practice of skinning Native People.
Mascots and names of local schools have been changed in the past, and for less offensive reasons. For example, the Northeast Trojans are now the Eagles, allegedly because a (white) father did not want his son’s school to be associated with a condom brand. Parkview’s Rockets are now the Pandas. Sycamore were the Scorpions and now they are the Stars. Prescott, when it was the building close to TTU, was initially Prescott Middle School, abbreviated to P.M.S., thus the addition of Central, making it P.C.M.S; now we know the school as Prescott South.
In an effort to put an end to stereotyping and racism, we ask that Algood Middle School remove the Redskin as the school’s mascot and all associated images. Changing the Algood Elementary School’s mascot - the Braves - which, though not as offensive, is also perceived as disrespectful by the Native Indian community, should also be considered.
Organizer
Julia Karen Gruber
Organizer
Cookeville, TN
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