���������������������������������������������������������������������������������

These images all represent stereotypes:

Unlike the situation with place names, these images and the nicknames that go with them teach that a race of people can be represented by the characteristics desired for school sports teams. The harm that this causes is easily seen by many, while others struggle to see that the issue goes far beyond views of offensiveness and political correctness.

In 2014, it is astounding to think that groups in school districts wanting to hang on to these stereotypes think that they are  “honoring  a  proud  legacy”  without recognizing that they are also planting the seeds of institutionalized racism.

The planned August  13  “Berlin  Indian  Meet  &  Greet”  sponsored  by  the  “Save  the  Berlin  Indian  Committee” represents a huge  step  backwards  for  education  and  the  community’s  understanding of what honor is really all about. This event, in not recognizing that the elected leaders of all 11 Wisconsin tribes have unanimously and consistently asked schools to stop  using  “Indian”  logos  and  nicknames represents a shameful level of ignorance. This event also does not recognize that ALL the validated empirical research shows ALL students are harmed by what is being celebrated. This is the very definition of anti-educational.

We know that there are many people of good will in Berlin who are struggling to better understand the conflict of ideas behind the use of race-based "Indian” stereotypes in school environments. Many times in the past, as with the January school board meeting in Berlin, the Wisconsin Indian Education Association has offered to assist the Berlin Area School District in helping the community to better understand this complex issue. Their continued lack of action to take advantage of these offers is one of the reasons why the kind of event planned for August 13 has been organized.

The one thing we know for sure in the current social climate is that the most vital issue for everyone to understand involves respect for others. Respect starts with being willing to step aside from well-intended, but harmful perceptions and see things  from  another’s  point  of  view,  especially  when  that  point  of  view  involves  the  very  people  that  are  the  focus  of  the  “honoring.”  The  more  each  of  us  recognizes  this,  the  sooner  we  will  be  able  to  stop  all  harmful  race-based stereotyping.

--- A message from the Wisconsin Indian Education Association “Indian” Mascot and Logo Taskforce

www.indianmascots.com ��� E8768 Cut Off Rd, New London, WI 54961