Wednesday, May 19, 1999

Heritage, tradition clash in nickname dispute

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BY TOM O'NEILL
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Statue stands in corner of Anderson High. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

        ANDERSON TOWNSHIP — He stood alone Tuesday, literally and figuratively, in a cordoned-off corner of Anderson High School that overlooks the blur of students heading out into the afternoon rain.

        He is many things: a statue of an American Indian in traditional clothing standing next to a rock that reads “Class of 1934”; a source of pride and, increasingly, a source of controversy.

        His left hand shields his eyes, as if guarding against glare.

        In that sense, he is quintessentially Anderson High, be cause the school now, too, finds itself as a symbol of sorts. A symbol of how the Redskins nickname there might not be changing any time soon, but the times certainly are.

        A request by the Miami Valley Center for Native Americans on Monday night to eliminate Indian-related sports nicknames was met by respectful defiance from Anderson High Principal Michael Hall, and a nondecision by school board members.

INDIAN NICKNAMES

OHIO   Anderson Redskins   Carlisle Indians   Cincinnati Country Day Indians   Eastern Brown Warriors   Fairfield Indians   Goshen Warriors   Hillsboro Indians   Indian Hill Braves   Lebanon Warriors   Mariemont Warriors   McAuley Mohawks   Norwood Indians   Peebles Indians   Talawanda Braves   KENTUCKY   Grant County Braves/Squaws   Holy Cross Indians

        American Indians say they think Redskins, which they contend refers to Indian scalps taken by white settlers, is derogatory and offensive. And they say all Indian names are part of their heritage, their identity.

        Ironically, many in Anderson Township who support the nickname use the same argument.

        “Anthropologists talk about that, the binding forces of "I was a Redskin, you'll be a Redskin,'” said Bowling Green University Professor Elmer Spreitzer, who teaches a course titled Sociology of Sport.

        “Because so many other parts of our lives have become diluted, we're not in ethnic neighborhoods anymore, for instance,” he explained, “and as that continues, these tangential examples like sports nicknames become more important.”

        Some Indian-nicknamed high schools throughout Greater Cincinnati, including Lebanon, Talawanda and Fairfield, said Tuesday they have not been approached about such a change.

        “There actually was a Fairfield tribe that settled in our area,” said Monica Mitter, principal at Fairfield Senior High School, where the mascot is an Indian. "I believe that's where, in part, our name came from. We have no plans to change our name.”

        Comments from the Miami Valley Center indicate a request to do so is inevitable.

        It's already happened elsewhere.

        In 1988, the Minnesota State Board of Education urged schools with American Indian nicknames and logos to change them. In the first five years, 32 of the 50 schools did make the change.

        No similar request has ever been made to the Ohio High School Athletic Association, and if it is, a statewide directive appears to be less likely.

        “It's a darn tough issue,” Hank Zaborniak, association assistant com missioner, said Tuesday. “I guess our position is, it's best left up to each community.”

        But no American Indian group has ever asked, Mr. Zaborniak said.

        “We're not interested in changing our mascot. Braves is not a derogatory term of Native Americans,” said Talawanda Schools Superintendent Susan Cobb. "My understanding is they are targeting schools who use the term "Redskins.'”

        Leaving it up to “each community” is an approach many Anderson High students supported Tuesday.

        Most said they always considered the “Redskins” mascot a symbol of strength and pride.

        “If it goes, I go,” eighth-grader Mark Hafertepen said. “I always thought it stood for courage.”

        Some, such as senior Len Stewart, agreed with the second part of Mark's comment, but not the first.

        “I think they need to ask themselves, why are they so opposed to changing it?” she said. “Is it just to rebel against somebody telling you what to do? Personally, I don't think it's offensive, but if even one person does ...”

        Sophomore Nick Anderson came down somewhere in the middle.

        “Most of the kids are, like, whatever,” he said, “but I'm not a minority so I don't know what it feels like.”

        Sue Kiesewetter contributed to this report.

Anderson wrong to keep 'Redskins' Tim Sullivan column

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