Jan 21 Meeting

Public Comments from Current Students 1.21.22

• I think the mascot should be changed to Storm

• I think the mascot should not be changed because the mascot of the Indian is part of the school's history

• I think that keeping the mascot is a good idea. I think that some of the things that people do are wrong. For example, wearing a head dress is a bad idea. But wearing an Edgewood T-shirt should be found. But I think that we should keep the mascot but there should be changes in how we represent our school.

• The mascot shouldn’t change because it is not offensive nor racist to the indigenous people. It is supporting them. For example, we have tribe classes that help people communicate with each other and create peace amongst them.

• the mascot should be changed. our current mascot is insensitive to Native American culture and should not be normalized. It's very offensive and should be changed.

• If most school mascots are animals or inanimate objects, having a whole culture as our mascot has certain connotations and could suggest that we think of Native Americans as less than human. Also they are not “Indians”, they are Native Americans.

• Honestly, I just have to say most of the people who are upholding keeping the mascot are most likely white and privileged. We live in in area where a lot of people benefit from their privilege and we go to a school where white privilege is rewarded. (Seriously, look at the student demographics and tell me I'm wrong.) You, as people benefiting from privilege, should re-examine how you're using your privilege and whether or not you're harming minority groups by upholding racist iconography. The mascot and the things we do for "spirit" is continued European white supremacy at work because we trivialize incredible diverse cultures, and makes me embarrassed to even go here. We have to do better, and we have to change.

• While I understand people's concerns over the mascot, I do not believe it should be changed, and this can be shown with the precedent previously set with professional sports teams. The Washington Redskins chose to change their name, due to the fact that the name itself clearly had a racist meaning behind it. However, the Cleveland Indians did not change their name, and we should follow this precedent and keep our mascot that the Edgewood community has grown accustomed to love and represent over the years.

• It shouldn’t be changed because it’s not that big of a deal. The same people who want it changed say that thanksgiving is bad to celebrate. of course they didn’t want to say it’s bad that past WHILE. Of course they have to make a big deal about it in 2020 because in 2020, if your mad about something you have to make a big deal about it.

• To be honest it’s weird that we have an Indian for our mascot, it’s like having a Nigerian man as a mascot in Alaska, but worse because we claim it somehow has a connection to us, which it doesn’t. First off, having a man, a person as a mascot not only is it no fun it’s also feeds into the stereotype of native Americans.

• I’m pretty sure there is a general consensus among the upper class at edgewood that the mascot should not be changed. This mascot has been a school tradition for a long time and the upperclassmen would not want a mascot change in their final year at edgewood. We want to graduate as the Indians and I recommend that if there is a change in mascot it happens in a couple years from now where the class that wants it changed can have it. We do not see it as offensive and want to keep the tradition standing.

• I support the changing of the mascot. 'Indian' is not the most respectful term to use towards the Native American community and we do not honor Natives the way the school used to as a middle school. If we are not doing anything to honor them or learn about them, I do not think we should use them as a mascot. Additionally, the fact that it is so controversial is a reason to change it. Whether you agree or disagree with it changing, no school mascot should cause this much division.

• I do not believe that the school mascot should be changed. The mascot itself is not making fun of or disrespecting Native Americans. If anything, it is in fact honoring them. The mascot is not ridiculed or made fun of, so there is no dishonor in the mascot. Many people seem to believe that most American Indians are offended by the name "Indians", but this is contrary to what I have truly seen. As a student body we are honoring the Native American tribes which once settled in this area, and using the mascot to show this honor. As long as we believe that it is a good thing, and we are proud to be an Edgewood Indian, the term is not being used in an offensive way either. I have even been told that there were multiple Native Americans present at the opening of the school, to show support, which makes it ridiculous that people are putting words in their mouths, saying that they do not support the mascot and the school. I personally feel that the whole movement to remove the mascot is driven by a cancel culture which has continually been arising in the past few years.

• the mascot should not be changed

• i do not support the mascot change there is no point in changing the mascot people just want to complain about something and most of the time it’s a white savior complex

• Do not change the mascot.

• We shouldn't change the mascot, it's been around for years and it symbolizes our school and all the hardworking children and staff there.

• I strongly support the changing of the Edgewood mascot.

• While I understand the arguments to keep the mascot, I really believe it should be changed. This would not even be a question if our mascot was any other race. Think about how angry people would be if we were "The Edgewood Asians" or "The Edgewood African Americans." Why should it be any different with the Indians? They are a race of people, just like any other. Besides, we're not even supposed to use that term any more. The proper term is Native American.

• This is outrageous even thinking to change the name. We have a culture that you are trying to change. People say well “oh it’s 2020 and I should get what I want.” It has been like that since the school was created. If you change it it’s on you and all the people you upset

• The mascot should absolutely be changed. The NCAI, the nation's oldest and most representative Native American advocacy organization, has a clear position against the derogatory stereotype against Native American people. In 2005, the NCAA banned teams from using quote, "hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin mascots, nicknames, or imagery." The term "Indian" is considered extremely offensive to the native community, with the words "Native" and "Indigenous" being preferred. Based on a study done by Yale, they found that institutional norms (such as an offensive mascot being in place) plays a huge role in normalised prejudice. "As such, stereotypic mascots have the capacity to reinforce harmful stereotypes of indigenous populations in ways that constrain the representation of these peoples in contemporary society, and regulate them as artifacts of the past." There are many other studies I could talk about but there is a final point that is most important. We should be asking the 0.5% Native population on our campus what their opinion on this is. Why haven't we asked any tribes what they think? The tribe we are based on (Ais tribe) disappear from area records after 1760, so we can't ask them. They were slaughtered by colonizers and their history practically erased, only to be turned into a caricature, with white kids wearing ceremonial headdresses meant for elites and stereotyped to no end. How would people feel if our mascot was the "Edgewood N-Words" or the "Edgewood Beaners"? It would obviously be shut down immediately because those words remind those ethnic groups of their violent past fighting with colonizers. Native Americans weren't called "Indians" until Columbus colonized America and slaughtered the indigenous people there for their resources. Therefore, it should be fairly easy to understand why the term "Indian" can be harmful to Natives, as it reminds them of their violent past fighting with colonizers. I hope the SAC will keep all of these reasons in mind when discussing the mascot change. Please also consider that it is fairly obvious to see in these comments who has done research and who has not, and I would encourage you to prioritise the comments that actually have good reasons to why the mascot should or should not be changed.

• I'm currently a senior at Edgewood, and I believe the Edgewood mascot should be changed. It is beyond me how anyone can argue otherwise. As many comments have already stated, having the mascot as an Indian is racist. Some may argue that it's not, but it's clear that the majority of the student body believe it is. First of all, why is our mascot someone's culture? People argue that we are "honoring" Native American culture, but in what way? By appropriating it? We surely haven't asked the Ais tribe for permission. The school barely teaches about Native culture and curriculum, especially not about the Ais people. Are we honoring the Ais people with our name, the Edgewood Indians, a name that doesn't even properly reflect them? Indians is a big group of people, and the proper term would be Native Americans anyway. Are we honoring them with the painting of our mascot, one that consists of a stereotypical caricature painted in red? Maybe Indians isn't inherently racist, but redskins is, and that's the way we've been portraying our mascot for years. People have also been arguing that the cost is too high and that money could be used elsewhere. I personally believe that this is a small price to pay for something that should've been done a long time ago. If some parents don't want to donate to help cover costs, that's fine. I'm sure the students, faculty, and parents who oppose the current mascot will be glad to help. If it's decided that the mascot shouldn't be changed, we need to be more proactive about learning about their culture. We need to teach students about the Ais tribe and their traditions, and about the ways Native Americans throughout history have been subjected to many horrors. We need to stop using headdresses and the spirit stick. However, I am firm in my position that the mascot should be changed. When I look back at my high school years, I want to look back fondly. I don't want to see a school that opposes progress, that opposes listening to its students, and opposes doing the right thing. Thank you.

• Changing the mascot is the only right option. I will personally get a bucket of paint and paint over any Indian memorabilia for all of you worried about cost. I promise changing the mascot is not as big of a deal as it seems. If I wake up tomorrow and I'm an Edgewood Eagle instead of an Edgewood Indian it will literally have zero impact on my life whatsoever and I doubt it is that serious for anybody else. Also, just because it is tradition does not mean it's not racist. After spending nearly six years at this school and dealing with an administration who rarely cares about injustice or racism, hearing that they finally want to change the mascot is refreshing and long overdue. I've spent my entire high school career hearing racial slurs and being forced to be around students who would probably hate crime me if given the chance, so I am 100% in support of the school finally taking a step in the right direction. Also, let me say it again, just because it is tradition does not mean it's not racist.

• I do believe that the mascot should be changed, but I don't think that right now is the time to do it. Changing a mascot costs a lot of money that Edgewood doesn't currently have, especially during a global pandemic where budgets are being cut left and right. If we were to change it, I suggest the Edgewood Egrets because we can stay with the E and the feathers etc.

• I think the mascot should be changed. I see a big argument here of "it honors Native Americans" or "My husbands great grandma was Native American and I'm not offended so the name should stay". Firstly, I can tell you that from a students point of view(as I am graduating this year), there has never been any teaching of Native Americans that honors our school's mascot. If there was monthly or yearly teaching of Native American culture maybe I would think differently. Unless your definition of "honoring" Native Americans is white kids appropriating their culture through headdresses and painted faces, then there is no culture appreciation going on at this school. Secondly, even if it doesn't offend 100% of Native Americans, many are still offended and according to the APA have expressed that they feel as if using their culture as a mascot is offensive. I will never understand how people lack so much empathy. If it makes members of the Native American community uncomfortable, it should be changed. I would never want to be apart of something that contributes to someone feeling hurt or offended. Lastly, there is the argument of the history of Edgewood and how it would be erased by the changing of the name. If you are a graduate of Edgewood no matter how many years ago, an inhabitant of MI for however many years, a former teacher, etc. , and you believe changing the mascot is erasing history, I want to ask you this: Why are you so attached to the name? Why are you so attached to the mascot of the school to the point where you are willing to make others feel uncomfortable by preserving its name? What would YOU truly lose from the change of the name, and is that more important than the comfortability of Native Americans across the country? Even if the mascot does not get changed, I am so happy that it is even being considered and this is a step in the right direction regardless.

• I have been at Edgewood for six years. I'm currently a senior. I will be proud knowing that I will graduate an Edgewood Indian. Current community members and a small portion of students may fear that this name and mascot is racist, and inappropriate. Yet, they fail to recognize the dangers of erasing history simply for the sake of feeling good. In the letter to announce the retiring of the mascot, Edgewood described that it had been "honored" to use this mascot and name, to represent this group of people. Yet, they are also "honored" to change the mascot. You can't have both. The students and staff at Edgewood have been honored to be allowed to represent the American Indian, that much is true. During Spirit Week, there is nothing but honor and respect from the students. No one mocks Native Americans, no one makes fun of them or, or intentionally tries to disrespect their culture. We all try to honor them, dressed in our school colors, knowing that we are the Edgewood Indians, a fact that fills us with pride. However, the only people would would be "honored" to change the mascot, would be the 30% of Edgewood students who believed it should be, among with a handful of other community members. The students and staff at Edgewood would not be honored to change the name. Years ago, I sat in a classroom of a teacher who is Native American. He talked about how his family had lived on a reservation, and even though he had more than enough Indian blood in him to choose to do so as well, he decided not to. The talks about changing the Indian mascot have always been in the air for many years. This teacher strongly believed they shouldn't change it, that it would be disrespectful to change it. He didn't understand why everyone was so offended by the name, when they themselves were not Indian. Instead of changing the mascot in fear of political tensions, Edgewood should embrace the identity that we have been bestowed. We should do more to learn about the people that we have been honored to take their name. We should spread the history of their culture, how they lived, instead of erasing their history, their past, simply for those (who do not belong to such group) feel that it is necessary. We were given this name, with permission, and it would be a disgrace to change the mascot and name due to outsider opinions.

• Keep the mascot the same

• I am a student of Edgewood, We should not change the mascot or the name, because the Edgewood Indians is a tradition. 1.it is not racist to have the name "Indian". 2. Indians founded America before anyone else did, "Years before Christopher Columbus stepped foot on what would come to be known as the America, the expansive territory was inhabited by Native Americans. Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, as more explorers sought to colonize their land, Native Americans responded in various stages (History.com Editors, Native American History Timeline 2018)." The way I see it Indians founded America and we are just kicking them to the curb and just looking past them and saying that Christopher Columbus, Juan Ponce de León founded America and Florida when there is evidence that supports that the Indians founded not only the state that we live in but America too. 3.The people that are saying it is racist, and disrespectful should take hear their own words coming out of their mouth they are basically kicking Indians to the curb just like all the explorers did when the claim they founded America and Florida! The way I see it the mascot and the name is showing respect to the Indians that founded this land. If you change the name and the mascot you are just disrespecting the people who founded this land.

• I think the mascot should be changed. The current mascot can come off as racist; however, we are also known as the Indians so it will be difficult to find something that people will accept and like the sound of as much.

• The mascot should not be changed as it honors our Native Americans. We should be proud that we are represented by people with such an interesting background.

• We shouldn't change the mascot. The whole cancel trend is such craziness because why do we have to cancel our past. Not only did we ruin a culture but now we are erasing them from everything, from butter sticks to sports teams, its all being erased. I've read through the parent and community responses on this topic and the ones claiming to have native heritage all say that it isn't offensive and in a way it is paying homage to their culture. I've been in contact with people who grew up in Merritt island that moved to Oklahoma to get in touch with their native culture. They agreed with me that there is no need for there to be a mascot change if the people with native blood isnt offended. Also why is it that white people are the ones deciding whats offensive and what isnt, its up to the people of that nationality to come up to you and say "hey i dont like that take it down" and it would have to be more than just one person. Stop cancelling stuff because your little snowflake heart thinks it might offend someone, someone will always be offended by something and you cant please everyone. After all the majority of the student body wants to keep the mascot as it is, so why change it because you think it "might" offend someone. KEEP THE EDGEWOOD INDIANS!!

• I disagree with the mascot change. Changing the mascot will also be very costly, and currently the district is having trouble providing textbooks for our classes. I'm sorry if some people may believe the mascot is offensive. I bet they didn't mind it when they accepted their spot at Edgewood. Why would anyone accept a spot if they believe the school mascot is racist. People opposing the matter have a voice too. I do not find the mascot offensive and I am a minority. People are not defined by their ancestry, they are defined by the people they are currently. Covid-19 has affected us enough already, and I don't think stirring the pot again with a mascot change is a good idea. Why should Edgewood change the mascot when we are representing a historical symbolism, and erasing the history. If anything we should embrace the mascot. Some people in society are saying that having a Native American mascot is racist, but I believe it's a tribute to the minority. People only think about the minorities when they think about racism, but people fail to look at the bigger picture. No matter who we are, Black, White, Native American, Hispanic, Pilipino, etc. We are all people in the end, and it shouldn't be a problem to keep this mascot's full history.

• As a student that has been going to Edgewood since 2017, I've questioned the idea of having an "Indian" to represent our academically rigorous, fun environment of a school. Many think that since other high schools have people such as Minutemen and Raiders as mascots, what's the harm in having an Indian mascot? The minutemen and raiders are both historically known as courageous, brave soliders. They are depicted as white men, wearing solider/pirate uniforms. Those depictions are historically accurate and represented correctly. The Edgewood "Indian" is historically known as the people indigenous to North America, mass murdered and tortured in the worst of ways by foreigners, in their own home. They are depicted as a red man, wearing face paint and something that resembles a Native American headdress. There is no such thing as a human with bright red skin. The europeans that came to North America (way back when) originally referred to Natives as "Redskins" because they were very tan compared to the europeans pale skin. The Edgewood mascot is the exact same thing as the former Washington "Redskins" mascot, just a different racist name. The reason Natives were called "Indians" in the first place is because Columbus came here and mistakenly thought it was India. But, this is not India. It is America. So why are we STILL referring to the real Americans as if they are people from India? Having an Indian as a mascot is mocking the culture of Native Americans. If I was a Native American person who participated in the culture, especially knowing the history their people have had in this country, I would be disgusted to know that there are people walking around in the same cultural attire my family holds so dear to them as a costume or for 'school spirit'. The Edgewood "Indian" is not only historically incorrect, it is blatantly disrespectful to Native Americans and their culture. Our sports teams refuse to put the face of a stereotypical Native on their team shirts, instead of the face of that "Indian" in our parking lot, it has been replaced with the letter "E". The racist depiction of Natives makes staff and students feel uncomfortable about Edgewood. We want to be known as a school of academically successful students, not as a school with an old racist mascot.

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• haha snowflake say "eee racist mascot is no no, need permission from Indan people! grr all people are immediately racist based on the fact that they like a certain mascoot! sorry my feelings cant handle going to school with different beleifs than me, msut eradicate those facts ahhh scary!" no need to change mascot, people are ignorant.

• It is wrong for a school mascot to be an ethic group. That is why the mascot should be changed.

• Dont change the mascot.

• Don’t change the mascot

• I don’t think we should have this mascot because it is an ethnic group. And it would be better if we had something like an animal.

• I don’t want to change the mascot because it doesn’t seem worth changing everything in the school to a different mascot.

• I would not like the Mascot to change as I do not see it as offensive. If anything, I see it as honoring the Indians or Native Americans. And from what I’ve been talking about with my Native American friends they aren’t offended by the mascot either. It’s not like we are making a caricature of the Native Americans. So I do not think we should change the Edgewood Mascot

• we should be the hurricanes

• I think our mascot should be a wolf or an alligator

• i dont know what we are supposed to right but hi hows your day going.

• I don’t care I prefer to keep the mascot though

• I do not agree with the mascot as it is right now. I believe a mascot change is in the best interest of our school. The term "Indians" does not correctly represent Native Americans as our mascot represents Native Americans, not Indians. As for the feathers we currently have for many of our team shirts and our letters, we could use a bird as our mascot as we will not have to change as much of our branding.

• I think that the Edgewood mascot should be changed.

• The term "Indians" is a derogatory term referring to Native Americans. They are not Indians, they are Native Americans, they were here first, they deserve to be recognized as such.

• I think it's weird that the school board is focusing on Edgewood, who's name is not as offensive as maybe, the Madison Mohawks, a specific Indian, or the Cocoa Beach Minutemen, who were slave owners. Why focus on the name of an Indian, a part of our history, and not the names that could be more offensive.

• The Mascot should NOT be changed. It has been an Edgewood tradition for many years so there is no reason to get rid of it just because some people are “offended”.

• I think we should change the mascot, it isn't right if other people are getting offened by it. So I support it!

• I want the mascot to stay as the Indian

• I want to keep the Indian as our mascot because it honors the indians.

• I believe Edgewood should keep their mascot as "The Edgewood Indians". It would cost WAY too much money to paint over multiple areas of the school, plus reflooring the entire gym. The school signed a contract for the logo for this school, to honor the grounds this school was built on. Changing the mascot would dishonor the history of Merritt Island and the Native Americans who originally lived here.

• no because we have had it for a long time and its not worth changing it .

• The mascot should not be changed. Although the SAC can claim that Edgewood students had made an uniformed decision; that is far from the truth. All the banter over online social media’s and between students proves to us that we have heard everyone’s point of view and that the majority had ruled that it should not be changed. Trying to give a false sense of choice amongst students in forming a vote which will only go through once the SAC gets their way only gives a worse reputation to an already unjust organization. There is also no disrespect intended with Edgewood’s mascot. It is a symbol of pride and we use the mascot as a symbol of heritage; not as a racist symbol of hate. To continue on with another vote would show how schools have no regard to what students have to say about the controversy of the Indian mascot change.

• I think that the mascot should stay the same. There are many schools out there with a similar mascot and they don't have to change it so why do we.

• I definitely do not want our mascot to be changed. I think our school would be strange without the mascot we have now. When I think of an Indian I think of a warrior and I believe that represents us well.

• I am not for or against the changing of our mascot. However, I think that if we are voting on changing it, then you should give us options on what the mascot could be changed to. With that being said, if the majority votes to change it, I would like our mascot to be the Islanders for three reasons. The first being the obvious which is that our school is located on an island. And my second reason is that many of the other common high school mascots are taken and overused. The Islanders is a cool nickname and not used very often, and it will not offend anyone.

• I feel like the mascot should not be changed. I don’t know why just now this is coming to the surface after 60 years. Keep the Edgewood tradition! I understand how the NFL team “Redskins” is racist, but I don’t think Indians is. If it has to be changed, I would recommend the Edgewood Chiefs. The Chiefs aren’t under fire for their team name, so why couldn’t our school be called it!

• I believe we should change the mascot if it insults anyone. Edgewood is a school where people listen and set considerate examples to each other. Shouldn't the school mascot do the same?

• The mascot shouldn't be changed. With a change in mascot many other things would change about the school such as paintings and other items already made such as T-Shirts that represent the Edgewood Indians. Ultimately with new paintings it would cause the school money and in this COVID crises this is not what we should be worrying about right now.

• I am strongly against changing the edgewood mascot for it is a significant part of this school and its history. If you concede to changing this mascot a huge part of this schools history will be erased. For these reasons I urge you to not change this mascot.

• I do not see the need to change Edgewood’s mascot. For years, we have proudly called ourselves the Edgewood Indians. Why change now? Not to mentions the costs for new uniforms and changes to the school. Our mascot is part of our history, and I believe we should keep it that way.

• I believe the mascot should be changed because it's racial insensitive. It's legit like having the "Edgewood Whites" or the "Edgewood Asians", all in all its just really embarrassing for Edgewood as a whole.

• We should not change the Edgewood mascot. It would be too expensive. I don’t see how the term “Indian” is a racist name.

• I don't think you should change the mascot. I don't find it offensive that we are the Indians, it isn't necessary to change every thing and spend all that money changing everything. If you named the school after them to honor them.

• I do not want to change the mascot. The school has had it for much time and the cost will be high to design a new logo and apply it in multiple aspects of the school. I feel like we should focus the schools money and attention to quality of education and increasing our school's ranking. Therefore, I feel like we should just stay with our current mascot.

• Not only is using an "indian" person as a mascot plainly offensive, it's extremely unoriginal. Something like a bat would be a way cooler mascot.

• I think the mascot should change because the Indians might be insulting to people. Some people might not wants to be called the Edgewood Indians because it could mean the real type. Maybe other people from other schools might think Indians are not smart.

• I don't understand why we should change it. It has been the same for many years, why change it now?

• I personally don't think that the mascot should be changed from what it is now. One reason why I think it shouldn't be changed is because it been the mascot for the school a long time and most people loved the mascot. The second reason it shouldn't be changed is because how many people have already associated the mascot with Edgewood. The final reason why I think the mascot should not be changed is people that went to Edgewood and already graduated will look at the school and they would feel like it changed a lot in the wrong direction.

• It doesn't actually matter. Social Justice is kinda stupid. It's JUST A MASCOT. ACTUAL NATIVES AREN'T DYING OR GETTING PHYSICALLY INJURED BECAUSE OF A SILLY LITTLE MASCOT.

• The mascot should not be changed. The mascot came from a local tribe themselves. It is what makes up our identity at the school. There has never been a problem with the mascot until now, which shows that people are being to critical and just want to find something to complain about. If they truly cared about cultural appropriation and insensitivity, the would focus more on the cultural APPRECIATION aspect of this issue. Just changing the mascot is almost like they are just trying to bury the problem, and nothing beneficial will come from it. Instead, keep the mascot but have more of an initiative to focus on the appreciation of native american culture and education of the issues they face.

• I do not think that there should be a mascot change because it would be too much work to change everything. Also, the Indian mascot represents the fact that we work to hard to achieve great things as they did when they were the first people in the country.

• I do not support changing the mascot.

• No, waste of money and resources. The mascot is ok just the way it is. People who have a problem with this is should just leave the island.

• Honestly, as a privileged white man, I do not think I should be consulted. I personally think we should change it because having an entire race as a mascot is extremely generalized and racist, but you shouldn't ask me. I've heard that Indians, as in people from India, not Native Americans, are upset about the misnaming of the mascot. They feel as if they are being confused. I have yet to hear the opinion of any descendants of the original Native Americans, so I am not sure about their opinion. Consult a member of the NCAI, (National Congress of American Indians), to see if they should change the mascot.

• I do not think that the mascot should be changed because it would cost a lot of money, time, and end up not really changing much. Changing the mascot would cost a lot of money because of things like the gym floor or jerseys. It would also take a long time to change the mascot because of all the design and such that would go into changing it. One of the biggest issues I have with it is that all that money and time would go into changing a single image into something else; in other words, what would it change? No matter what it is changed to, somebody somewhere is going to find it offensive, whether it be some person saying "Oh, eagles are evil in my culture, so being called an eagle is offensive!" or "Oh, Owls are sacred to my culture so being called an owl is offensive!". We spend the time and money to change it for what? So that one single group is appeased, but most of the other students here have to get forced through it and suffer? I don't find that to be morally correct.

• I don't care I'm good with any mascot.

• I am for changing the mascot. Even if you disregard any racism, having a people as a mascot is strange: imagine if we were the Edgewood Europeans.

• I think we should keep the Indian as the mascot. However I would be fine if we changed it to a bird like a falcon, emu, or something else.

• I do not believe that the Edgewood mascot should be changed.

• The mascot should be changed because we were asked to by the people of indigenous decent and who are actively partake in the culture. If we were to ignore them respectfully asking to change the mascot it would not only impact the school in a negative way but also the students. We would then be teaching that this behavior and this cultural appropriation that is partaken during spirit day is okay. Also the decision should not be fully up to the student body because I have come to realize that most people do not even read about peoples concerns that simply just say no and move on. Some students to not see the bigger picture of what is happening and how it is affecting people. Also when you look at peoples comments who want to keep the mascot they simply have no argument for why. They just say that they dont see the issue and that is because they don't read or even look deep into it.

• I like our mascot. We do not “mock” or “insult” American Indian culture in any way. It serves as character to represent our school of anything we should be proud to be representing such an important part of American culture. If the Indian is a mascot that can be taken away from us, you can make an argument for all the other school’s mascots to be taken from them as well. I’ve been here my whole high school career and I don’t want our mascot to change to something silly

• I vote to remove the mascot since I find it to be discriminative.

• We need to change our mascot. The mascot is not only a Native American and we haven’t been educated on their history but we are called the Edgewood Indians which is offensive to the natives on this land. I’m not Native American so I can’t really have an opinion on how they feel but when I reflect it onto myself and say that it’s a Spanish person with a mustache wearing a poncho and a big sombrero and we are called the Edgewood Mexicans then I would be very offended since it’s toward my culture and community. I can’t even describe how angry they must feel with all of our cheers and saying disrespectful things about native Americans. We need to change it to fix make a right out of this wrong, no matter the cost to change it.

• I do not think the mascot should be changed, how ever the name should. There was a native American tribe in merit island who settled by the Indian River, that tribe was the "Ais". Changing the name to Ais might need some labeling to be changed , but we won't have to rip out the gym floor.

• I'm fine with the current mascot.

• I don't think that the mascot should be changed its not that big of a deal.

• Our tribe says that it might be beneficial to ask the people who it would offend if it is offensive. That way it can be decided weather or not it should be changed.

• I do not think we should change the mascot because it is the original masco and it was in honor of the Native Americans. But if we were to change the name, I would keep the mascot but change “Indians” into “Ais” because that is the name of a tribe that lived in Brevard county. (Also is sounds like “A’s”)

• I think that our current mascot comes off as offensive, since it's a Native American colored red, and we're not even "the Native Americans," we're "the Indians." Our mascot is insensitive to Native Americans, so it should be changed.

• I do not think that the school mascot should change but that the Edgewood Indians should change. If the mascot changed then the gym would have to be demolished when we could be putting that money to a new track, since our track isn’t a complete 400, and we could then host meets. If we changed Edgewood Indians to Edgewood Warriors or Edgewood Explorers. I believe that calling us Edgewood Warriors or Edgewood Explorers wouldn’t offend people because it would then show respect to the African Americans who were both Warriors and Explorers, and we wouldn’t be using a word that should only be used for people who live in India.

• In my opinion the mascot should not be changed. The school has been here for multiple decades and it hasn’t been a problem. Anyways, no one is putting the “Indian” mascot in any bad light. No one can say this is “racist” or “ignorant”. This school was build by Native Americans, and out of respect Edgewood had them as a mascot. At this time we should not focus on spending time and money on changing a mascot, we should spend time focusing on schoolwork, and protecting the students from COVID-19.

• I do not believe that we should change our mascot. We have had it for decades and it has not been a problem until now. I don't believe the mascot is offensive, if anything, some football teams' mascots would be more offensive than Edgewood's. Plus, not to mention the gym floor and walls. It would cost a lot to redo everything that's there. I'm pretty proud to be an Edgewood indian and I know many people agree with me.

• we should change

• When I first came to Edgewood in 2018, I had no problem with the Mascot and it seemed as if nobody cared that it was an Indian. I believe with the recent movements such as BLM and ANTIFA have abused the word "racist" and what is defined as offensive. In Edgewood we don't downplay the Native American culture, we embrace it. All the activities and festivities we do concerning our Native American mascot is not in the mindset to be offensive, it's to celebrate the unique and awesome Native American culture.

• I think it would be wrong for me to speak on how politically correct this mascot is, since I'm too uneducated to speak on that, but I do think the mascot should be changed. Not because of political incorrectness, but because the concept of having a mascot be just a person of a different race just sounds weird. For instance, wouldn't it be weird for a school's mascot to be a white person? It just seems somewhat strange to me, so I'm all in favor of changing the mascot to some random animal like every other school (just please don't make the animal small and weak).

• I think the mascot should be changed because it is cultural appropriation. If our mascot was any other race, would that be acceptable? Also, most Native Americans like to be identified by their tribe name, the term "Native American", or the term "Indigenous people". Additionally, the term "Indian" has many negative connotations. I think the mascot could be changed to an eagle. I believe the eagle would be a good choice because the eagle represents things like freedom, honesty, and intelligence. It also would be a good choice because we could keep the feathers in our merchandise. Therefore, the previous Edgewood spirit shirts or hoodies would not be out-of-date because they only have the feathers, not the name of our mascot.

• To start out, I would like to give you a little history of edgewood. edgewood was created by a native american tribe, I believe that the indian is a symbol of thanks for what they have done for us by giving us this beautiful place where we can enjoy learning with our amazing teachers. I feel that by changing the mascot we will be forgetting the people who so graciously gave us this beautiful place. To keep going, there would be a lot of money put into redoing the gym and some murals around the school and I feel that all that money could go to better things like smart boards, school supplies, sports equipment, ect. To conclude I would like to say that I may have not been here as long as some other people but I bet your bottom dollar that I would be very sad to see a place I love so much turn into a place where they forget the people who made it all happen.

• We should change it out of respect to the Native American community. If we can’t respect a cultures wishes, who are we. Then it becomes purely racist. When people say “it’s not a big deal”, that is insensitive and comes from a place of privilege. We have to change it out of respect, or take the consequences, which will be severe. Our school is supposed to serve as a school of excellence. Let’s not be known for our racism.

• I don’t see the issue in changing the mascot. I will help pitch in money if money is the issue. When an organization reaches out to you and says you should change it, when at least 30% of the students say you should change it, it shows how dividing our mascot is.

• I want to be proud of my mascot. Not nervous with it it. Please change it.

• The Edgewood Indian is a longstanding tradition at our school. It gives us a different culture than other schools who use more genaric mascots like the Tiger or Eagle. I am all for changing the mascot if there is evidence that it is offensive in any way. But from what I know, our mascot is meant to honor Native Americans, not to mock or harm them. As long as they approve of us using them as our mascot, I don't see why we need to change it. I feel that changing our mascot will alter our culture in a negative way. I will respect any decision that the SAC makes but I hope they will consider what I and other students have to say before making a decision.

• In my general moral reasoning I have always associated with the idea that the person that acts in a way that offends anyone should always try to see how a person feels for what they did to them before they made their own assumptions on how they should react. And in this position that Edgewood is in, I would personally suggest that your team should make a decision that works to please the Native American Association of America first since they are a represent of disrespect and put Edgewood's interests 2nd for the sake of respect.

• I think our mascot should not be changed. I understand that some might be offended by our mascot but the Indian represents the Indians that built our school. A teacher in this school told me that Indians originally helped build our school. Our mascot represents where our school came from. If I was told false information or misunderstood the teacher, I apologize.... Also, it would cost a lot of unnecessary money for the school to replace and repaint everything that has an Indian on it.

• I have Native American blood and I do not find this offensive or rude to the culture in any form of way. Back in the day, this school was built by native Americans. They gave us the privilege to be an Indian, we get the privilege be in a called an “Edgewood Indian.” If students had a problem being a Indian then they didn’t have to go here. This school is not the only school of choice that is located in Brevard School. Students saying that it is a discrimination that we were their clothes and headwear but what they don’t understand is that we are representing them. We are representing the “lost” tribe and we are representing our school and community. Another thing I feel that is starting all of this mess, is all the riots, about BLM and protests. It shouldn’t be a big deal and if you are that concerned or worried about then they should find a school. Changning the mascot means you have to change literally everything at school, (colors, uniforms etc) SO NO!!! DON’t CHANHE THE MASCOT

• You see we don't exactly need to change the Mascot. I am not opposed to changing the mascot. If we stop saying stuff is racist we will forget about it. In addition, it will cost a metric ton of money to re-brand and change the school and the floorboards in the gym and change other sports jerseys. In addition, why is this our biggest concern when we could be focusing on more important things that truly affect the school. For example, if you walk by the band room, it is literary falling apart. Chunks of concrete are falling off. Something is wrong with the A/C in the Mrs. Horton's room to were it is broken and for 3 weeks straight people had to fix it. In addition, the fume hood in that room is broken. If it were properly fixed, then maybe just maybe, we could do more experiments in that class and get a better understanding of how stuff works. In addition, we need to clean and repaint our school, but apparently you all don't feel the need to do that. Furthermore, why can't we get new lockers. I know you all hate lockers administration, but I would prefer not to have scoliosis. Now i'm done but at least look at how much you get done by changing the mascot and how much you get done by doing any of the other things I mentioned.

• The Mascot should not be changed! We are trying to show pride towards the people that are American Indians. We want to celebrate their culture and who they were. REMOVING them? That’s what’s racist. The mascot, the symbol, that is not “racist”. The movement of the SAC trying to remove our pride in our Indians is what’s truly racist. It’s a move to brainwash us, furthering their agenda. I would also like to say that because we (the student body) voted 2/3 for KEEPING the mascot, we would know what we are voting for. We are do not need to be “re-educated” for our personal beliefs and opinions, just because they don’t line up with the SAC agenda. I am a firm believer in keeping the Indian as our symbol, and I will continue to promote and remember it, even if the scummy SAC gets their way.

• The mascot should be changed. If the mascot was any other group of people people would be reasonably upset. It is also dehumanizing a group of people to turn them into a mascot. Most mascots for schools are animals and it makes it seem like the school thinks they aren't people when they make them one.

• I personally am neutral on the matter, I am not attached to the mascot in any way, but I'm not offended by it, nor do I feel like I could speak on behalf of any potentially offended groups I'm not a part of. Thus I, like many others I'm sure have chosen to do, will not give a direct opinion on the matter, as I do not have a side to stand on.

• We need to change the mascot. The "Indian" portrayed as our mascot is racist and offensive to Native American people and culture. I am appalled and embarrassed to represent our school with this as our mascot. I propose we change our mascot to some type of animal to avoid this issue in the future (ex: eagles, bulldogs, dragons, sand crabs, bloodhounds, vipers, etc.)

• I think we should remove the mascot and that it should have never been our mascot in the first place. I went through the October responses and was disappointed to see people try to justify the blatant racism and appropriation that having "Indians" as our mascot portrays. I do not think having "Indians" as our mascot bodes well for Edgewood. We are not a racist school, so why have a mascot that makes us look as such? Additionally, Natives have been trying to put an end to all of the costumes and themes their culture becomes a part of for many years and we continue to ignore that. We are a very highly educated school and because of the education I have received here I know our mascot is wrong and it needs to change.

• I do not think the mascot should be changed. Frankly, I am appalled by the idea that at this time we are worried about changing the Edgewood Mascot when at this time we have a wide variety of issues going on. First and furthermost I would like to defend the Edgewood mascot. I would say that we, as Edgewood students and staff, are doing nothing to disrespect the Native Tribe that the school was founded after. While I’m not 100% sure about the term “Indian”, a quote from the Washington Post states that “Native Americans use a range of words to describe themselves, and all are appropriate. Some people refer to themselves as Native or Indian”. Another quote from a Native American publication states that “Political correctness be damned: We will use "Indian" if and when we choose. We will not be intimidated by the politically correct bunch or the white media” (Native Times). This was prefaced by the idea that the mainstream media was trying to tell Native Americans what terms were politically correct for their own cultural group. I believe that the Edgewood Student body is a diverse and respectful group of students coming from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. This being said, I believe that we can all come united under our current mascot while respecting the ethnic group it represents. Furthermore, I would rather see Edgewood improve the quality of learning and communication between students and parents before they take the time to worry about a political correctness issue. Also, I am appalled that the Edgewood Staff thinks that the Edgewood student body is "uneducated" on the issue. I believe that if the Edgewood student body voted to remove the mascot we wouldn't have been deemed "uneducated" by the staff. This revote signals to me that the Edgewood staff potentially has an agenda and does not genuinely care about the student body's opinion on the issue. To conclude I would say that besides myself disagreeing with the change, I do not think that the changing of the mascot would be worth the time and money it would take the school when they could use it toward improving what actually matters.

• Having a racial caricature as normalizes casual racism among Edgewood students, which is why the mascot needs to be changed.

• I believe we should change the mascot. Some natives feel discriminated and offended as we use them as our mascot. Even if some aren't offended by we shouldn't have a mascot which is even a little racist. We are a great school, a smart community and our mascot should reflect on that too.

• I don't think the mascot should be changed because at the end of the day this is subjective and keeping the mascot already won pretty decisively but some people won't accept that.

• I think the mascot should not be changed. I honestly think the Indian is a great mascot. I do think we should learn more than what we have learned about why the Indian is our mascot and the history behind it in class. However, changing the mascot would cost a fortune. We should not be spending that much money on a mascot. The money should be spent on technology or textbooks things that will help us get farther in life and provide us knowledge. The mascot also symbolizes where we came from the Indians lived in Merritt Island same with the Mustangs what I've heard is that is why the Merritt Island High's mascot is the Mustangs. I also know people that have said changing the mascot would make them feel offended same with me. It helps preserve our history, because without the mascot most of us would not know the history of Merritt Island. Why would you need to change the mascot? Why do people feel offended with having it as our mascot? I'm proud to be the Edgewood Indians.

• I think we should change the schools mascot. If the Washington Redskins had to change their mascot, why shouldn’t we?

• I do not think the mascot should be changed. I am extremely distressed by the idea that at this time we are worried about changing the Edgewood Mascot when we have a wide variety of more important issues going on. First and furthermost I would like to defend the Edgewood mascot. I would say that we, as Edgewood students and staff, are doing nothing to disrespect the Native Tribe that the school was founded after. We just have them as a mascot which I do not understand how that is disrespectful to anyone. A Native American publication states that “Political correctness be damned: We will use "Indian" if and when we choose. We will not be intimidated by the politically correct bunch or the white media” (Native Times). This was prefaced by the idea that the mainstream media was trying to tell Native Americans what terms were politically correct for their own cultural group. I believe that the Edgewood Student body is a diverse and respectful group of students coming from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. This being said, I believe that we can all come united under our current mascot while respecting the ethnic group it represents. Furthermore, I would rather see Edgewood improve the quality of learning and communication between students and parents before they take the time to worry about a political correctness issue. There are bigger problems at Edgewood like students calling other student racial slurs which is actually happening. We should be focusing on those real issues rather than changing a mascot. How will changing the mascot be productive? It is just people who are unaffected by this issue trying to fix problems that many Native Americans do not care about. We should ask real Native Americans to see if they find it offensive as they are the ones that are "being disrespected". To conclude I would say that besides myself disagreeing with the change, I do not think that the changing of the mascot would be worth the time and money it would take the school when they could use it toward improving what actually matters. #factsdon'tcareaboutyourfeelings#justiceforandy

• I believe that we should not change the mascot because while it may offend a group of people, it should not be changed to please them. The mascot is being used respectfully. It is a symbol of strength and wisdom, two attributes that describe Edgewood Jr./Sr. High school perfectly. I believe that the use of modern medias and the ability to quickly spread false and misleading information through it to a large group of people has blinded this group into believing that simply having a image depicting a Native American Indian as our mascot as racist and insensitive, we are using it as a way to respect the people who lived here in Florida long before the first European explorers set foot on the beaches. Yet they forget the reason that they are nicknamed "Indians". A man named Christopher Columbus traveled west from the old world in hopes to find India. Instead he came upon a group of islands called the Indies, as he named them, he believed that he had reached India. Columbus gave the people he found there the name "Indians" for the sole reason he mistakenly believed he was in India. The name "Indian" is simply a misnomer, NOT A RACIAL SLUR. There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON to change the mascot and the entire school for a simple misunderstanding that happened in 1492. The way the Indian is depicted is not a cartoon or a caricature of an Native American, It is rather a side profile or a frontal portrait of a Native American Indian. Why should we change something that nobody had a problem with for SIXTY YEARS! You could say time have changed, but times were changing since the sixties. The school has gone through the seventies, eighties, nineties, and early 2000's and there was not a problem with the mascot until sensitivity became an issue. There may be something you don't like, but does it work? Yes, it does. Don't change it.

• Due to prior knowledge from when the school was first founded, the Edgewood Indian should stay as the mascot. When Edgewood was first established the administrators made sure it was a symbol of respect, not of racism. This mascot has been with us for almost 5 decades at this point and our school is covered with his portraits showing our pride. The Indian should stay for that reason, and if that isn't enough look at the funds needed to tear him away. Redoing an entire gym as well as various other walls will cost thousands of dollars. Those funds could go towards more important matters at hand or in the future.

• I think that the mascot should not be changed. I think that it doesn't actually offend anyone they just think that it should offend them because of what the media is saying. If there is someone who is actually offended by the name then maybe I would be fine with changing the name.

• I believe that the Edgewood mascot should not be changed because the use of a Native American as our mascot could be seen as something that informs others of the Native culture and its place in America's history. I think it is something we should be proud of because it shows that we appreciate them and appreciate them. In addition to this, I have seen comments stating that some of our Edgewood traditions should be changed because they could be seen as racist, which is understandable. However, we could change our traditions instead of our entire mascot to solve this problem.

• I strongly believe that the Edgewood's Indian Mascot shouldn't removed. American Indian were one of the first people who lived here. We should continued to honor their history and culture. Please don't change it. Thank you.

• In my opinion the mascot doesn't really matter to me. if we did have to choose I would pick a mascot that at least doesn't offend anyone. The mascot also shouldn't also be a school that already has that mascot. I think the mascot should also probably be an osprey.

• I personally think a change in mascot would be the best option for edgewood. Although it lacks convenience, there is a multitude of reasons it would make the school a better representation of our values to strive to be the best. First and foremost, the school mascot is outdated and without proper native american representation. I have heard that in the past, the school brought people from the tribe to educate the students on the mascot and their heritage etc. since 2016, my 7th grade year, the school has done nothing to educate students on native american culture, therefore, it would be inappropriate to continue to use this mascot without knowledge of where this came from. Furthermore, the term “Indian” is culturally insensitive because it refers to the term used by Columbus who mistook the native americans for native indians, literally, then proceeded to enslave and kill them, take their land. If we want to be a school of excellence in what we do, why would we continue to use a mascot that is not even politically correct and potentially offensive. Whats more is that the Indian mascot is dumb and not cool. I would suggest that in removing the mascot we replace it with a cool animal like normal schools or sports teams. I think that we should change it to the Cardinals because no other school in our area has that name, we can keep the feathers, AND it’s a well known sports team so it’s cool. We should definitely remove the indian mascot though.

• I think we should keep the mascot because it’s traditional and it’s been the mascot for several years. I don’t think the indian mascot is offensive and i think we should continue the use of it for the mascot.

• I think that the mascot is fine and that we should not change it. If we do change it though I think that the best mascot would be the Edgewood Engineers.

• I believe that the Indian should be kept because we have had this mascot for many years.

• An entire group of people is not something that should be simplified to a mascot. As a student who is half Native American, it's very uncomfortable to have seen people wear gaudy head dresses during spirit week and parade around in cheap costumes calling themselves Indians. That's not even the proper term for native people; that's what Columbus called them when he sailed over here and committed genocide. Besides, you wouldn't make a mascot "the edgewood mexicans" or "the edgewood chinese" or "the edgewood whites", so why are you still defending this mascot? I've noticed that a lot of the people getting enraged over the idea of changing the mascot are white, and I don't think it's a coincidence. As somebody who has attended this school for 6 years, I implore you to take my words into consideration. Keeping the mascot would do more harm then good. It's time we moved on from being "the edgewood indians".

• This is my 6th year at Edgewood and I have never seen anyone mock or disrespect Indians. I feel that having the Indian as our mascot is a symbol of respect and shows our admiration for their culture. It seems like everything is offensive in today's world. If you aren't Native American then I don't understand what you have to be offended by. If you are of Native American blood then try to look at it from a positive perspective. Edgewood is a school of respectable students and staff and I can assure you that our mascot is not intended to be disrespectful, but show our admiration for Indian culture. The mascot should not be changed.

• Hello, I would like to voice my opinion mostly because I have a very unique connection to the native Americans and their culture. As knowing many Native Americans of the Tuscarora tribe, I believe that our mascot is not racist, in my opinion, it is something of an honor, mostly because of the reason that our mascot represents a worrier spirit, and all the thing that the native Americans did to survive. I do not believe that our mascot is culturally insensitive, but I can understand that the Edgewood INDIANS is somewhat racist and is culturally insensitive because the term Indians is not their names, and the term was based on a misunderstanding. Although the name Indians is could be perceived as racist I can not see the harm in changing the name to something like the Edgewood warriors. Because of this topic I have asked some of my Tuscaroran friends and their family what they think, most of them think that it is very unique and honorable, they believe that our mascot shows a warrior spirit, and love that out of everything we could have chosen, we decided to have a warrior represent us. Through reading the comments I have also heard the counterargument that the Indians are showcasing their savage history and is portraying that Native Americans are still savage and do not fit into society. I disagree mostly for the fact that I and my native American friends, see the native American culture as cool and unique, in fact, the Tuscarorans have 2 festivals, and a parade showcasing the rich culture and spiritual connection with the earth. Every day that I see the naive American painting in the library I remember everything about the festivals and think about how inspiring the native Americans and their history is. Another center argument that I have frequently seen is conserving spirit week, for example, people do not like kids to wear headdresses or paint. First off I have seen many other schools wear paint on their legs and on their face that are the colors of their school, as well as at this school I do not believe that kids wear paint to mock the Native American culture. And as far as the headdresses go, my Native American friend's opinion is that their headdresses are worn only by the bravest, most compassionate, and persevering people of their tribe. If anyone on the council determining if we should change our mascot is reading this, and you are leaning towards changing the mascot once so ever, please think about the idea to change our mascot of an Indian to an actual historic Native American that helped their tribe and have a very strong legacy. One example is Squanto, he was the first interpreter and guide to the Pilgrim settlers at Plymouth during their first winter in the New World. He was a figure that showed peace, compassion, and bravery. Another Native American is Chief Tamanend, he is best known as a lover of peace and friendship who played a prominent role in the establishment of peaceful relations among the Native American tribes and the English settlers who established Pennsylvania. His story of leadership, commission, and bravery would be a very honorable thing to embody. There is no need to stop honoring and respecting the Native American culture and bravery, but if you do decide that we should change it, just acknowledge the option to make our mascot a Native American icon. I do not believe that we should be dwelling on the negative but more embrace and teach the rich culture, and what made them such brave, persevering, leaders, and warriors. Why make honoring the Native Americans a negative, instead we should keep the memory, celebrate and pay tribute to everything their rich culture and the strength that they portray. Than you!

• TL;DR (Too long; Didn’t read): I honestly don’t mind either side and though I reserve my doubts about our opinions making changes, I respectfully hope that everyone stops talking at each other about politics and understands that this is an issue spawned from tensions in other places. This is not the political area or virtue-signaling hotspot-forum of Edgewood, it is a place to comment on a mascot changing. I’m not usually the type that likes to make comments or overt commentary about topics like this — I was raised to have a modicum of respect for everyone else by staying quiet and letting them have their own voices heard — and in the moment of writing, I feel the weight of the question behind my heart. However, with respect to the fact that this comment will mostly go unread, I feel comfortable offering to the table the following proposition for the readers-at-large, whatever your thought on the subject is. I concede that I am foolish, that I am often polarizing, and that I have no place to speak on such a subject, but I do have a place as the fool to call out other fools for being one when they are not supposed to be. And I’m going to take this comment portion as a space to satirize, synthesize, and moralize a tad by explaining, from what I see, the “debate” that is happening here, then make a brief statement. I’ll try not to play favorites, but with the tremendous evidence available, that may be difficult. Before the storm, let’s hear a brief proverb: two people are on a walk and they both observe a flag that blows in the wind, the first says “the flag is being pushed into motion by the forces of the winds”, the second says “the flag is actually just kinda doing that” (paraphrased), the first responds “nope, you’re wrong” (also paraphrased), and the second says “nah, you are the fool here”. Then a third fellow comes out of the woods and hears his argument, and, just wanting to sit in the park, offers “I get that both of you think you are right, but what does this solve at all? The flag’s just gonna keep moving.” There is a moral to that story, but I’ll leave it out. It seems to my traditionalist half that the bulk of the side in favor of the mascot staying as it is equates the change with the destruction of tradition and the degradation of respect for an iconic symbol, frequently connoting the “respectful”, “time-honored”, and “deeply important” symbolism of the Native American symbolism. They offer that it is cost-effective not to make the change given the superlative stockpile of gear we have with such an icon on it. To certain degrees, I think these statements have some footholds when given a chance, the symbolism has lasted, and in most corners, it lasts in a place of reverence and thrift. But allow my other half to offer the following, yes, they imagery USED TO BE respectful, when we had the institutions to make it so, now we don’t, and we all know that; yes, it has lasted because of this reputation that it has failed to fill in recent times; but no, this symbol is as important as the label of a shirt tag, it’s a high school mascot, not a holy book, and I’m willing to wager that if it weren’t for this whole polling thing and the change, next to nobody would remember the symbol in a matter of years; and no, the costs are not as high as one might think, we replace and repaint this stuff constantly and the school would not propose a change they weren’t willing and able to make the investment for anyway. Consider how the times change, because while I appreciate comments like “AIN’T NO PROBLEM LEST PROBLEM MADE AIN’T NO ISSUE TILL LIBREL CANCELS ISSUE INDIAN PRIDE” (paraphrased) for a good laugh, they do not seem to have engaged in the finest of research practices. My progressive half sees in this change an opportunity to, on the small scale, have an impact on the institutions around it, witnessing the bulk of the commentary call to a time for change and a time for progress as they claim the moral high ground with the opposite fallacy of their “opponents”, doling out pages of commentary that calls to what their APUSH teacher told them about Civil Rights (though, honestly, I am in no place to judge long statements). They harken back to DuBois and King and Parks in reference to this as the utmost matter of importance, and while I must speak with care here, I can’t help but see this as genuinely misguided. I should say that yes, this is an opportunity for positive change, and yes, this is the proper conduit in which to call for it and I hope they bring this passion to more places. But let me also say that this is almost certainly not the most important decision of even your high school career, and to be so tangentially philosophic about it is ridiculous and destructive. It is awful to place yourself on a high ground like this in the face of what is supposed to be a conversation, so stop. Most people need not be told that institutionalized racism is a bad, bad thing, so telling them only makes you feel like a holier-than-thou figurehead and it convinces nobody. To point fingers, it’s your fault that this is such a big deal. And this is far from the biggest deal that the Administration has on their plates, we both know that. I love to see burgeoning humanists comment on the victories of the past, but if you want to do that, write a book or a blog, not an argument, it's generally unconvincing. The core of this issue comes from the fact that EVERYONE is trying to make a big deal out of it, like this is the difference between the rapture and salvation, at least, that is how it seems. That inherently causes confounding of the issue with other issues and the death of actual commentary that actually explains the viewpoint to the other side, though even if that did appear, it would not be very effective. I’m not going to prescribe that anyone should stop considering this important, it matters if it matters, but don’t make it more than it is. We are changing the picture on a shirt and some walls and a floor or two, we are neither defacing an icon nor solving an international issue. I can’t bring myself to believe that anyone thinks either of these is the case in reality, but their commentary makes it seem so; it does not matter what you MEAN, it matters what you SAY, so say it well. For instance, I took some harsh bites above, that probably hurt some people even if I didn't mean to do so, sorry about that but if I villainize someone I want to convince, they will literally just stop listening to me, that was an active demonstration if most of you skipped the part that made a criticism. Look. I get it. We all want to say what we feel here, but there are some points to talk about with a mascot and some points to bring up in more formal political and philosophical places. The one virtue I see on either side is that those advocating for change make it clear that they are turning this into a political issue, otherwise, it just sort of looks like two vessels of American frameworks standing next to each other as literally nothing gets done to either.

• I do not want a mascot change.

• Edgewood’s mascot “The Indian” is derogatory towards traditional Native American culture, and demonstrates a clear lack of cultural awareness and appreciation at our school. The “Spirit Stick”, which is used as a prize for the class with the highest points during Spirit Week, is actually a sacred object in Native American culture that is used to make offerings and petitions to the spirit world. The history of this significant piece of indigenous history is not something to ridicule or blatantly disregard, and furthermore, I only know the history behind the Spirit Stick because of outside research, and I would expect that most students are not aware of the cultural significance of the Spirit Stick, as Edgewood does not recognize the cultural importance of the various traditions we have taken from Native Americans. By treating the “Spirit Stick”, as well as other themes taken from Native American culture as mere incentives to display school pride, Edgewood is teaching and encouraging students to engage in what the American Psychological Association states as “culturally abusive behavior [which] perpetrates incorrect misconceptions about American Indian culture” (and if you wish to dive in further to the effects of Native American mascots, the APA website has an entire section that elaborates on why American Indian mascots should be retired). We can still share pride in our school’s achievements with a different, less offensive mascot. A mascot change is a necessary change if we wish to move forward not only as a school, but as a community.

• If we are questioning whether something is racist or offensive- it probably is! Would you be comfortable being called “The Edgewood Asians” or “The Edgewood Hispanics”? When the mascot is becomes your culture, doesn’t it sound odd? A group of people should not be considered on the same pedestal as animals, and when they are BOTH seen as “mascots”, I believe a line has been crossed.

• I would like to keep the mascot the same or make it an owl cause of how fierce and smart owls are i feel as if it would be a good way to resemble the school

• I do not think the mascot needs to be changed.

• I think we should keep our mascot, because after all, it has been our mascot for a long time, and it would seem too unlike Edgewood to change their mascot just because people think that it's too racist having an Indian mascot.

• To start off, I always felt on the fence about this issue, but after thinking about it and watching the SAC meetings from start to finish, I see points that I want to bring up. First, I noticed in the last SAC meeting that it was expressed for members to talk about both sides - to keep or not to keep the mascot - but there was no discussion about the other side; there was an overwhelming amount of discussions about not keeping it. It already seems that the scale is tipping towards not keeping the mascot and seems biased. Second, there was also talk about how the survey was not accurate because students were "not informed" about the situation and therefore might have just clicked an option. To give another perspective, I can't help but think that it seems convenient to just say that after the fact. Why didn’t anyone say that before the survey or even when teachers were looking at the survey? I agree with Dr. Diakakis when she stated that students AND parents were given multiple opportunities to read the responses from the community comments and view the SAC meetings, but then again we can’t force people to be informed. This issue of getting people to be informed is also seen in our national elections and so we have to take notice of those who did respond and not say/assume that people just slapped a response or there was not enough turnout. Third, I feel that there is not enough representation on the SAC student executives as some are e-learning and do not have opportunities to meet/speak with their fellow students at school, and when I was watching, I felt that only one student actually cared about the issue because I could tell that they researched. On that note, a member of the SAC committee mentioned that the students who collect information on the student’s opinions should give the information to SAC, where they can disperse the information then. But, there is something about speaking at the SAC meeting where people are forced to listen rather than glancing over a sheet of paper, and seeing how biased it seems in changing the mascot, I do not want the SAC committee to add bias on these facts. Now, to the actual issue at hand - should we keep our mascot? In order to figure that out, we have to ask the right people. The only voices that I hear are from people who are not Native Americans, and that too the whole argument is based on “it might” or “it seems”; that is not enough grounds to remove the mascot just because you think. How are you offended when the Native Americans in our community have not even come out to express if they are offended? And one voice from a credible person in a high position is not enough, and I respect Mr. Ian Record’s decision to offer insight, but there needs to be more. This issue also seems to be difficult among Indian tribes across the nation because they want to be remembered or because some don't find it offensive. That being said, I want our mascot to remember the Ais tribe that once inhabited this land because this thread we have to remember them is weak, but we should not throw it away altogether; we can make it stronger. Perhaps by having a logo that Native Americans create for us and by removing headdresses as a stereotype in our campus. I can’t imagine or ever understand how a group of people is fighting so hard to preserve their culture because people trample over their voices, and in this issue, I feel like we are telling them how to feel. People often say that we have never learned about Native American culture and their community, but this is the perfect opportunity for us to open our eyes. Therefore, I think that Mr. Ian Record and I can agree that the indigenous people in our community need to be heard and remembered; whether the Native Americans see that we should change or keep our mascot. Again, we should not be changing the mascot on the grounds that it is difficult or ”people think”. In Edgewood, we have never mocked the “Indian” as a mascot, as community members or parents assume, and I was proud of remembering another culture. In an issue like this, where people say that others are offended, it is essential for the Native Americans in our community to speak up now more than ever, and it should not just be in the hands of the students and faculty at Edgewood. But, I am glad we opened this conversation now and I am confident that we can solve this.

• no

• I do not believe the mascot should be changed for a surplus of reasons. First, we should not be trying to erase years of history and representation. People want to change the mascot in order to stay “up to date” on our social awareness, but the history of our local culture should not be erased so teenage girls can consider themselves a “social justice warrior.” How can we honor their name and history if no one even knew they existed? A high school mascot is an amazing way to use the name; the spirit of young people, the friendly competitions in athletics, etc, all contribute to the positive culture of The Indians, especially when there are many groups that would actually be bad to call themselves that, such as gangs. Keep the culture positive, no one will name a gang or a hate group after a positive high school environment. Secondly, where are the funds going to come from in order to achieve this? I had a teacher mention to my class that if we can’t even afford to get all of the textbooks we need or are able to make basic building repairs, how are we going to pay to redo over a dozen locations throughout the school because of this? At first thought you may not realize there are very many things that would have to be redone. If you look closely and pay attention, the word “Indians” and the logo is plastered more than you may think. Finally, the fact that the students are being asked to add additional comments like this because the SAC felt we were “not educated enough to make an informed decision” shows everyone all they need to know about this stunt that is impacted by the council's own political bias. As far as I heard, over ⅔ of the student body voted not to change our mascot from a simple “yes/no” google form, so how is it possible to reason that the students who voted were uninformed? I know dozens of students who feel the same way I do, and they showed this by voting in the google form. Saying that they do not understand the situation is not only undermining the intelligence of the majority of the student body, but also demonstrates that the SAC does not believe a majority of people would be against the change, which they are. Please consider this thoroughly, as well as the (potentially more pressing) issues that could arise from your decision. Thank you.