Once Buncombe County residents understand the reality of the issue, change will happen.
Schools are for educating, and all children are entitled to an equal learning opportunity.
It's shameful, embarrassing, to even write the words. We have struggled for many months, trying to work with the Buncombe County School Board to increase understanding of the problems encountered by Indian children when their people are used as mascots. This is not just an Erwin issue. It touches all children in this county and indeed in any school engaging in athletic events with Erwin. Most importantly, to the majority population, non-Indian children are damaged by disparaging stereotypes just as much as Indian children.