Most importantly, to the majority population, non-Indian children are damaged by disparaging stereotypes just as much as Indian children. We ask that citizens, churches and civic organizations sign and return it for presentation to the school board later this autumn. We need to speak in a unified voice that will be heard by school-board members. The Buncombe County School Board has signed a policy of nondiscrimination , specifically referring to the rights of others to seek and maintain their own identities, and calling for respect for cultural differences. In a school with an Indian mascot, Indian children have a hostile learning environment.
Mascots perpetuate stereotypes.
Everyone loves to play Indian, the Indian who vanished into history. No one wants to deal with the Indian who is living and dishonored by being used for fun and games. The fact that a practice has existed a number of years does not mean it is a good one. They did, but no one was listening at the school board. This time, we didn't go away.