Sensitivity Training
One of the local schools here in Connecticut has decided to retire its mascot, the Crusader, in the interest of being more "inclusive." This decision came after an "Identity Task Force" was hired to review "all brand aspects" of St. Luke's School (which, despite its name, bills itself as "a nondenominational school").
“We didn’t want to associate with any particular people or culture. We would have rejected the Trojans or the Spartans if we had that. We’re all about the community. It is all about inclusiveness,” explained mascot committee co-chair Frank Henson, who was given the unpleasant job of explaining the news to the unhappy alumni. Luckily, the Identity Task Force doesn't just criticize all the time, it also offers solutions.
The new mascot for the school, which was founded in 1928, is scheduled to be announced this week. A committee made three nominations: the Hawks, Storm or Pride.
“We [want] a sportsmanlike name, not disrespectful to other teams, not Slayers or Destroyers...” added Henson.
Well, the notion of a rapacious and predatory Hawk representing our local youth seems a bit tone deaf. There are a lot of birds in our area of Connecticut. I’m sure they’ll squawk when they get wind of this.
Storm? Is that how we want to the world to view our young athletes? As a raging storm? Katrina, anyone? Storms kill. That seems a bit violent to me. I'm a little uncomfortable with that.
And I hope I'm not the only one who sees just how offensive the notion of Pride is to those in our local community who are suffering from low self esteem. It will only serve to remind them how very deficient they are as people.
At least we can all agree on this: Our country is a terrible place where citizens are cavalierly "crusading" to victory, in gymnasiums and in board rooms, without thinking about the damage they are doing to their neighbors (and by “their neighbors” I mean humans, birds, Canadians, beasts of the field, underworld dwellers, sea creatures, Native Americans, protozoans, modern dancers, abstract nouns, etc.).
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Re: Sensitivity Training
The human-resources-ization of our entire culture is the most nightmarish social development that I force myself to keep thinking about, Ursula, so I thank you for this rotten clip for a hideously bulging file. How empty is pride when sucked of every last drop of distinction and competitive blood. And how aggressively inane it is to claim that any school with a team named after famous ancients is morally defective. Every natural instinct cultivated into true sportsmanship is pounded or coddled out of existence, while the most brittle and artificial bits of PC orthodoxy are magnified into a worshipful sense of sportsmanship. It is sickening, wearing, hopeless business, and the only joy it brings me is the knowledge that one day, in many, many places, regular ordinary kids will reject officialdom and return to reality en masse.
May '10
Re: Sensitivity Training
The local school here has just finished its latest round of petitions to change the mascot from Braves. An alliance of students and a local group called 'Citizens for Peace and Justice' do this periodically. The Citizens group has lots of other ways to prove their moral superiority as well. Luckily for future students, the name was not changed. That way, the saga of left-indoctrinated students speaking truth to power can populate college essays for years to come.
May '10
Re: Sensitivity Training
My high school mascot in Burnsville, Minnesota was the Braves up until the mid 90s, when it was decided it was offensive and needed to be changed. We had the choice between Bears, Bruins, and Blaze. Blaze won the vote. Shortly after that an arsonist broke into the school, poured an accelerant throughout the hallways, and lit the school ablaze, causing about $15 million in damage. Let that be a lesson to the mascot-changers.
Re: Sensitivity Training
At a Notre Dame, we are still fortunate that the NCAA has not intervened to salve hurt feelings by ordering us to drop the "Fighting Irish" moniker. There are a number of different versions of how the name came into being, the most likely that it started out as a slur that was then adopted as a badge of honor.
In any event we have with that name a mascot right out of ethnic caricature central, a leprechaun with his dukes up and his chin out. Ironically the leprechaun was not adopted until the 1960s, before which the mascot was a series of Irish terriers.
And yes, we have even had an African-American leprechaun for a few seasons, brandishing his shillelagh on the sidelines while rallying the crowds.
May '10
Re: Sensitivity Training
St. Luke's Pride?
Two acts of will are necessary to validate any law: enforcement and obedience. The students and parents of St. Luke's needn't observe any the name change. Some satirical bumper stickers and T-shirts might embarrass that committee enough to make them swallow their Pride.
May '10
Re: Sensitivity Training
What about the non-citizens who've been marginalized by the exclusive, nativist name, "Citizens for Peace and Justice"? Are they suggesting that our non-citizen brothers and sisters aren't interested in peace and justice, or are these people simply unwelcome -- possibly because of their color or ethnicity? This naked xenophobia is simply outrageous in 21st century America...
Edited on Jun 8, 2010 at 3:54pmRe: Sensitivity Training
At Tufts, we are known as "the Jumbos," after PT Barnum's elephant. In light of the obesity epidemic sweeping the country, this insensitive name should be revisited forthwith.
May '10
Re: Sensitivity Training
I regret to say that my college alma mater, Wheaton College (IL), succumbed to precisely this notion. After over 100 years as 'Crusaders' they became the "Thunder"! It's a sound, for pete's sake. You can't even see it! Aaarrrggghhh!
RE: the Pride -- is this a paean to egotism, or a group of lions?
May '10
Re: Sensitivity Training
I don't see how either could be acceptable. The only possible interpretation is the proper noun for the solidarity movement within the gay community.
May '10
Re: Sensitivity Training
Hi Ursula, welcome to Fairfield County. I live in the next town, where our high school teams are the "Warriors." In fact, you'll find cars all over town sporting "Warrior Pride" stickers, complete with spears. Our town has gotten crunchier and crunchier over the years. My daughter was subjected to "An Inconvenient Truth" in her French class in middle school. It's only a matter of time before the Warriors and their pride go the way of the Crusaders. Friends in your town sponsored a young man from Iraq for several years. He just graduated from Saint Luke's. As far as I know he didn't find the name "Crusaders" remotely offensive.
Re: Sensitivity Training
Once upon a time, the sports teams at my dear alma mater were known as "the Indians." (The school was in fact established to educate the Indians, so the mascot was rather apropos.) But in the '70s, it was deemed that use of the Indian as a mascot was culturally insensitive, so we became simply "the Big Green." Since it's incredibly lame to have a color as a mascot, the students at Dartmouth have adopted an unofficial mascot -- "Keggy the Keg."
(Photograph supplied by Haley Bolin)
Re: Sensitivity Training
Diane Ellis
Once upon a time, the sports teams at my dear alma mater were known as "the Indians." (The school was in fact established to educate the Indians, so the mascot was rather apropos.) But in the '70s, it was deemed that use of the Indian as a mascot was culturally insensitive, so we became simply "the Big Green." Since it's incredibly lame to have a color as a mascot, the students at Dartmouth have adopted an unofficial mascot -- "Keggy the Keg."
(Photograph supplied by Haley Bolin) · Jun 8 at 7:58pm
Same problem at another university I attended: "The Cardinal." Not the bird, mind you, the color. And so our mascot is a tree.
Re: Sensitivity Training
Yes, but did you know that the university you attended used to be "the Indians" too? And then they switched to a color. And instead of inventing an exciting unofficial mascot like Keggy the Keg, you have a tree. Trees are as boring, if not more boring, than colors. But at least trees don't offend anyone!
Re: Sensitivity Training
Diane Ellis
Yes, but did you know that the university you attended used to be "the Indians" too? And then they switched to a color. And instead of inventing an exciting unofficial mascot like Keggy the Keg, you have a tree. Trees are as boring, if not more boring, than colors. But at least trees don't offend anyone! · Jun 8 at 11:31pm
Do you think all trees like to be stereotyped and depicted exactly the same way when there's so much variety in the tree community? I'm sure green feels the same. So many shades of green, each with his or her own personality. We can't not think about green's feelings just because green can't tell us how he or she feels.
May '10
Re: Sensitivity Training
George Savage
Same problem at another university I attended: "The Cardinal." Not the bird, mind you, the color. And so our mascot is a tree. · Jun 8 at 11:05pm
I was going to complain about my school's armadillo mascot, but at least it's mobile and doesn't just sway in the wind.
Diane, an unofficial mascot like that is exactly how St. Luke's Crusaders should respond to their ninny committee.
Re: Sensitivity Training
Diane, it's a Sequoia. A Redwood is not just another dwarf maple, wouldn't you agree?
At least we have the Stanford Band. Now that's something to terrify the opposition.