Letter -- Robert Rush

I was glad to see the Leader come out for doing away with the use of a

Native American mascot name for Burroughs High. This should have been

done many years ago when we first learned how terribly wrong this

practice is. Most people just don’t understand how bad it is.

I did not have strong feelings about this issue either until I saw the

documentary “In Whose Honor?” on PBS several years ago. That program so

clearly explained the entire issue of Native American mascot names that

the most hard-core defender of such names would immediately understand

why our Native Americans are so upset and outraged.

I go to Burroughs High at least three times a year to see the music

programs they present. Every time I go there I wonder why something has

not been done to get rid of the Indian mascot name. It is a disgrace to

the community and the students and staff of Burroughs High to continue

using that mascot.

Anyone, especially alumni, who feels that removing the Indian name

from the school would be going against tradition, or that the use of the

Indian mascot is not harmful (but even respectful), simply have no

comprehension of this issue.

They really should not discuss it until they’ve seen “In Whose Honor?”

I look forward to going to Burroughs High in the future and not being

disgusted by seeing that mascot name on the front of the school.

When I was a kid I believed that when someone put their hand on the

Bible and swore to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the

truth, that was what they were doing from the witness stand. What a

surprise I had when I found out that in court lying by witnesses and

attorneys is what is really happening.

After viewing “In Whose Honor?” I had a similar awakening to a

situation I really had not understood up to that point. The use of Native

American mascot names is not just politically incorrect, it is completely

wrong and inappropriate.

I, for one, would like to apologize to our Native American people for

my ignorance and complete lack of understanding of this issue for most of

my life, and I hope this terrible wrong is corrected as quickly as

possible.

ROBERT RUSH

Burbank