To Keyport Public School District, Keyport Board of Education, Keyport Indians Inc, and the Borough of Keyport - 

This initiative is being brought forth by a coalition of current and past citizens of Keyport, as well as current and past students and alumni of the Keyport Public School District schools.

We, the undersigned, believe that in light of the national news of the Washington Redskins football team retiring their name, mascot, and Native American imagery, that it presents an ideal opportunity for the town and school district of Keyport to follow suit with the names, mascots, and Native American imagery present in the Keyport School District and recreation programs. Advocates for this change would argue that it is long overdue.

The Keyport High School Red Raiders' imagery includes a Native American chief in full war bonnet headdress, as well as an arrowhead. Likewise, the town's youth recreation football and cheerleading leagues use similar imagery under the name the Keyport Indians. The recent transition to more frequently use the arrowhead may be looked at as progress, however, this is truly only a half measure at best. The association of Native Americans with the name "Red Raiders" connotes prejudice and reflects poorly and inaccurately on the Borough of Keyport as a town that welcomes all cultures.

Native Americans are not a monolithic culture. Many different tribes and individuals may decide how they prefer to self-identify, as well as what they deem insulting or offensive. However, it has been well-established that to reduce an entire culture or collection of cultures to a stereotypical generalization for the purposes of a team mascot is broadly disrespectful. Furthermore, it is not the decision of a majority white population to decide what is and is not offensive to indigenous people. This can only be accomplished by listening to the voices of the aggrieved parties in good faith. If Native Americans, one of the most historically marginalized groups in American history, are telling us that such portrayals are offensive and serve to dehumanize them, we owe it to them to listen and not contradict.

This is why having a majority white town vote on the mascot is an insufficient solution. An argument from supporters of the mascot is that it is a part of the town's history. However, if Keyport does not have enough of a Native American population to make their voices heard, then it is truly not a history that the non-Native residents of the town have a right to claim as their own. Furthermore, the schools' and sports teams' mascots are more than something exclusively for the residents of the town; they represent Keyport in our county, our state, our nation, and our world. We are at a point where the eyes of history are upon us, and we call upon all residents of Keyport to consider what message the present imagery is sending, and what message we would like to send.

A second argument presented is that the cost of a "re-branding" of the schools and teams, including new uniforms, equipment, merchandise, etc, would be too costly for a small, working class town with limited budgetary resources. However, we, the undersigned, are optimistic that, should the town and school district do the right thing in retiring this imagery, that fundraising efforts and goodwill from organizations and individuals would pour in to assist with the transition. Progress and change may seem daunting, but when people come together in the spirit of community, we believe great things can happen for a brighter future for our children and our town.

Thank you!