On Monday, Monitor columnist Ray Duckler wrote about Concord’s Joey Craigue, who is among those pushing for an end to the use of Native America mascots for sports teams.
We support Craigue, and so should anybody who is opposed to racism and offensive stereotypes.
Tradition is no defense for schools to continue to insult Native Americans with team names such as Indians, Redskins and Red Raiders. Nor is claiming that the name is meant to honor Native Americans (it doesn’t – just ask them). Nor is saying a change isn’t supported by the community.
Integrity is about doing the right thing even when it’s the hardest thing.
We understand the attachment people have to the past, but not everything old is worth preserving. And that includes racism disguised as tradition.