It seems as if though we are still getting a little bit of backlash from people commenting on the Herald Tribune Article. Below is my response and I only share this because I want to make sure that you all agree with what I am saying.-- First of all our mascot is not an “artifact”. I am sorry that you see it as such. But to those who attended Venice High it’s no mere “artifact”. I also cannot speak for those in the past who “rounded up” our Native American population and put them on reservations. It’s a stain in the history of the United States but I can’t change that, you can’t change that no one can change that. And it doesn’t make it right. However to think that using the Native American Indian as a mascot as disgraceful is incorrect. I went to Toledo Blade Elementary and the mascot was a Bald Eagle, is that derogatory? Are the Eagle or the Eagle activists offended? Should we consider changing the mascot of the whole Nation? No. I as well as most Americans look up to the Eagle. The Bald Eagle was chosen for the exact reason Venice chose the Indian; as a symbol to revere, to look up to; chosen because in its totality it’s the only icon that would encompass everything we stand for. Perhaps you don’t know the Venice Elementary Credo: As a Venice Little Indian, I pledge to always... Show RESPECT for my fellow beings. Be TRUTHFUL and HONEST at all times. Take RESPONSIBILITY for my actions. Do what I know to be TRUE. Give KINDNESS and ASSISTANCE whenever needed. Is THAT derogatory? Is that something to be ashamed of? As I see it we need more schools to instill moral values like that in our future generations. And yes I am a mother, I would be quite irate had I known my child was being bullied and called degrading names. But at no point in my time as an Indian did anyone ever degrade the name. I am sorry you see it as such but it’s not a correct assumption. The last time I checked any education I had about the Native American people was about their culture and the crimes AGAINST them. I was moved, brought to tears as a matter of fact because I couldn’t understand why. So if anything the schools in Sarasota County are teaching the truth. I remember we dedicated almost an entire semester to the Native American people. We learned about each tribe and the differences between them. We learned that they were a proud cultured people who cared for the land and each other, who felt that all things had a soul and a spirit and nature was to be respected. Is that derogatory? The definition of a mascot is: a person, animal or object used as a symbol to represent a group and to bring good luck. But it is so much more than that to us. We revere the Indian, we look up to our beloved mascot and I can’t think of a better icon to represent a school that strives for so much. The honor, pride, excellence, spirituality, moral code, moral conduct and courage that the Native American’s displayed (and continue to display) is unmatchable. I always thought of our mascot as something to strive to be, to learn from. If we had been taught negative horrible things I could see and agree with your point. But we aren’t taught that and we don’t enter Venice Elementary or Venice High with distain in our hearts for the Native American people. Do I feel that in the Native American honor they should be so much more than a mascot? Absolutely. But I also feel that there is no better symbol for our future generations to look up to and learn from. If we put more emphasis on our children in the teachings of the Native American people and their absolute respect for nature and each other the world would no doubt be a better place. Perhaps Mr. Serbin should offer to come to the schools and teach the ways of his people. I know I would go listen to him and I am sure that the school would be willing to dedicate that kind of attention to honor the Native American people. What you see as derogatory has a whole history behind it that perhaps only those in attendance of the school can understand. Dig deeper and I am sure that you will find thousands of graduates, alumni, students, staff and coaches who are honored to have been a Venice Indian and who will not defame the Native American name. I know I speak not only for myself but for others when I say that my heart swells with love and pride and I feel lucky to have been an Indian. I don’t find that derogatory at all.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 12:51:21 +0000
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