Saturday, July 17, 1999
Racist tag rejected in Anderson
School defends 'Redskin' mascot
BY CHRISTINE WOLFF
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ANDERSON TOWNSHIP — A community being tagged racist over a high school sports mascot says the label doesn't fit, and it won't tolerate it.
Supporters are taking the fight over Anderson High School's Redskin nickname to the front yards of homes and the windows of businesses, with neon-bright, orange-and-black signs announcing “Save Our Skins.” The supply of about 250 pro-Redskins signs quickly is being depleted as word gets out that the battle is getting organized.
The group is rallying against the American Indian Movement (AIM), a national group that twice since May has asked the Forest Hills school board to stop using the word Redskin. The word is a racial slur and offensive to American Indians, AIM said.
SOS members say Anderson's use of the term is not racist but meant to honor southwestern Ohio's American Indian heritage.
“Calling the students, teachers and residents "racist' — they're just not going to take it,” said Andy Wolf, chairman of the Save Our Skins (SOS) group and an Anderson teacher. “Our principal is always reminding us to include diversity sensitivity in all our classes. ... We probably teach more about Indian culture than most schools because of the logo.
“So it hurts when someone comes in and calls you a "racist,'” he said.
The SOS group will appeal to the school board, too, at its meeting Monday, asking board members not to make a quick decision to drop the name. The board has not announced how it will address the issue.
“If they (the board) say keep it, we can keep thinking about it. Maybe in a year we might decide to change it,” Mr. Wolf said.
AIM is part of a push to eliminate American Indian monikers from Ohio schools by 2003. Nationally, AIM is targeting high schools, colleges, universities and professional sports teams to drop American Indian logos and mascots.
That's what SOS members resent, saying AIM is attempting to push its national agenda by trashing Anderson's 62 years of sports tradition.
“I think AIM members need to spend time at Anderson High School, rather than just saying it's used as a racist term. It's not in Anderson Township,” said Jane Sunderhaus, the mother of an Anderson student and the great-granddaughter of a Cherokee Indian. “When I went to Anderson, I thought it was really neat the way they taught about Indian culture. It feels like they (AIM) are trying to erase American Indian culture from our land.”
AIM members “should take this as it was meant to be,” said Jill Sunderhaus, 15, an Anderson sophomore.
“We were trying to honor American Indians,” she said.
Young people need to show a little respect
Armstrong hopes man will return to moon
Astronauts bask in glories past
FBI stalks 'Average Joe'
Mason growth shows no sign of slowing
Zoo gorilla expecting
Former reporter given probation
Former Russian general has new mission
Hospitals, surgeon offer to help boy
State tax cuts will be less for '99
Racist tag rejected in Anderson
Restrictions target illegal bingo
Balloonist shares his perspective at 300 feet
Drought keeps sprinklers in demand
Ex-officer's appeal says sentence racist
Fire kills disabled woman
Futuristic Sky Loop transit would complement light rail
Report: Ky. access to Internet among lowest
Residents aid river testing
GET TO IT
Pops concert unmasks 2 musical 'Phantoms'
Bids for new courthouse steps too high
Bush gains in Ohio GOP delegation
Child pornographer, 79, receives 10-year sentence
Court may pay for study of sewage plant
Edgewood clock could hail 2000
Gateways get spiffy thanks to $200 gifts
Glendale called to aid family
Grants make transportation easier
Man's death linked to cocaine abuse
More pools to be open in next heat emergency
Retirement center looking certain
School plan redone, awaits board's OK
TRISTATE DIGEST
Zoning goes to Supreme Court
