Debate Over School Mascots

I was quite pleased to see that the L.A. school board has voted to ban the use of Native Americans as team mascots (Sept. 9), as well as insulted to read that an individual had categorized us with animals, stating that to be politically correct, animals should not be used as mascots, either.

In taking all the “fun” out of being a Warrior or Brave, and destroying the “idealistic” illusion of what a Native American should be, for once, society will be given the opportunity to see us for what we truly are--doctors, lawyers, engineers, parents, accountants, etc. Ignorance of our values and cultures as well as the proliferation of negative stereotypes are inevitable when we are forced to be recognized only as Cleveland Sam or other images. I feel that I have worked much too hard putting myself through college and law school (without the aid of any race-based scholarships) to be depicted as whooping it up, face painted, tomahawk in hand and dancing around the campfire.

JOSEPHANIE ACKMAN

Hermosa Beach

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I agree that mascots dressed like Native Americans can be offensive. But as a student of University High, I fail to understand why our team name, “Warriors,” should be changed. Webster’s Dictionary defines “warrior” as one who is engaged or experienced in battle. Is it fair to restrict the meaning of the word to Native Americans alone? What about the brave soldiers who fought for our country? What about we poor students who have to fight our own wars on a daily basis, struggling hard to understand our lessons, our homework and to pass school with good grades? Aren’t we warriors, too?

GIANCARLO CAVA

University High, 9th Grade

Los Angeles

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So now the Warrior painting on the wall of my old high school gym is going to be whitewashed in order to make the world safe for political correctness. What about the Tujunga Wash mural near Valley College, which shows a huge Caucasian fist crushing a tiny Native American?

I promise to change my opinion in favor of the Warrior whitewashing if we also whitewash the mural, which as a white male I find stereotypical and offensive.

JAMES VAN SCOYOC

Los Angeles