Adults Clinging To Traditions, Kids Just Want To Play Sports

Changers at the February 28 board meeting in Skowhegan. (my photo)

In the run up to Thursday's meeting on the Skowhegan mascot -- billed as an occasion for board members to speak, but which also may very well see a vote -- I am excited to share this guest post by health educator Karyn Bussell.

Her recent email to the board is excellent. Notice how she puts students first. Bussell is a former Civil Rights Team adviser in a neighboring school district, and they are lucky to have her. 

I expect I'll see her March 7 at 7pm in the Skowhegan Area High School cafeteria.

From: KARYN BUSSELL
Date: Sat, Mar 2, 2019 at 3:45 PM
Subject: mascot/nickname
To: MSAD 54 board and administrators

Good afternoon,

I have attached a copy of the Maine Department of Education's Priority Notice concerning the use of Native American mascots, nicknames, imagery, etc..  I can't even find the words to describe how I feel about this letter being directed at our community... we are the lone holdout.  We have a mark on us that will take time to erase.  I truly wish we could turn back the clock and address this change proactively as other communities in Maine have done.  

I am a taxpaying resident of Skowhegan.  I am also a teacher at Madison Area Memorial High School.  It is FUN to participate in school events as a Bulldog. (Never thought I'd say that as a student at Skowhegan Area High School in the 1980s!!!)  I have even worn the bulldog costume at a football game and truly been part of the spirt of school pride.  Madison High School and Carrabec High School are working hard together to combine athletic teams in the best interest of our student athletes.  It is my observation that the change is most difficult for the adults in the community that are holding on to memories and tradition.  The students I have talked to sincerely just want to play their sport at the highest competitive level possible.  Some Madison student athletes wear Carrabec uniforms, some Carrabec student athletes wear Madison uniforms, and some sports are combining with a new team nickname, mascot, and uniform.  The student athletes have easily embraced these changes.  I share this with you to refocus the Indian nickname/mascot issue on the students.  I am confident they will embrace a new team nickname and mascot with relative ease.

There is a lot of commentary right now that SAHS does not have a mascot.... the mascot has been retired and all imagery removed from team uniforms.  How sad for current and future students... they do not have a mascot as every other high school in Maine does.  A few weeks ago I went to the Class C State Cheering competition to support my students.  A few of the other teams had their mascots present to cheer on their cheerleaders.  My thoughts were.... this can't happen for Skowhegan.  We don't have a mascot to represent us, a costume to dress up in, a fun way to participate in school pride.

While you may have retired the mascot and all imagery, the nickname Indian has not changed.  Regardless of how you feel about the use of Indians as a team nickname, I implore you to consider retiring the Indian name.  Let's choose a nickname and mascot that everyone can support and have fun with... a mascot that the students can dress up as without controversy and we all can be proud of.

As I have said before.... this is Skowhegan AREA High School, comprised of Skowhegan, Canaan, Cornville, Norridgewock, Mercer, and Smithfield.  Please choose to guide us in choosing a school nickname and mascot that represents ALL of these communities and ALL can be proud of.

Thank you for your time and commitment to the students, staff, and communities of RSU 54 / MSAD 54.

Karyn Bussell

Maine Department of Education Provides Position on School Mascots and Logos Because our schools must provide safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environments, and because schools teach many lessons by example, DOE urges schools to refrain from using mascots and logos that depict Native American tribes, individuals, customs, or traditions. For information about the negative impact of using such mascots/logos: https://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/indian-mascots http://www.changethemascot.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/DrFriedmanReport.pdf While we recognize that DOE does not have jurisdiction over local decisions like these, we encourage schools and communities to consider the impact of promoting symbols and stereotypes that marginalize individuals or groups of people. The DOE is working to enhance our office of Student Supports with additional staff and resources to assist Maine schools and districts in the development and strengthening of practices that promote cultural competence and reduce bias and inequity.

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