I think we need to stop wearing the fireman's uniform to a costume party, and we need to stop pretending to be Indians. Whether it be for fun or out of respect, it's just not appropriate. Now, I know that these points has been made on other occasions with a lot of judgemental moralizing. But I don't think that's necessary for us to see the point. In fact, maybe that has sometimes prevented us from seeing the point, because we were too busy defending ourselves.
All good stories are open to interpretation.
I hope this story is rich enough to provoke dialogue about this issue-rational dialogue, which has been in short supply. Because most of us are members of the Blacksburg community, and as members of that community we help set the tone in which this issue gets considered. The Montgomery County School Board has tried to steer a path according to which this issue would be handled at the school level-as a dialogue within the Blacksburg community. Rather than forcing a change, we have tried to encourage an open discussion that engages all parties and all points of view. I think it is time to retire the Indian mascot, and begin looking for a new mascot for a new millenium .