Many of you may have seen the petition by Sophie Jeffers, a Salem student, going around social media to retire the Canton High School mascot- The Chiefs.  As a Plymouth-Canton Educational Park student with Native American (Cherokee) descent, I am not offended by the mascot.  Nobody in my family is offended by the mascot.  The only thing we are offended by is the petition itself.  Jeffers’ petition states, “...having ‘Chiefs’ as a school mascot reinforces the long-lasting stereotype that Native Americans are ‘savages’ and are below-human.”  Calling Native Americans “savages” and “below-human” is racist!  I understand that there are stereotypes behind Native Americans, but simply using the word, “chief,” that indigenous people never even called themselves does not imply that Native Americans are “savage” and “below-human.”

Actually, “chief” isn’t even what the leaders of tribes refer to themselves as.  They are “Headmen” and “Clan Mothers.”  Why are you associating the word “chief” with Native Americans when they are not associating it with themselves?  Why does the word “chief” make YOU think that Native Americans are apparently “below-human” “savages?”  I understand that the term “chief” is still so often associated with indigenous people, and that is why we are having this discussion, but does it imply a negative connotation, or one of pride, honor, strength, and leadership? 

Schools choose their mascot to be something strong and brave that they can be proud of.  There is no malicious intent behind the name, “Canton Chiefs.”  How does what should be an honored, and respected mascot show Native Americans are “savages” and “below-human?”  The mascot represents loyalty, honor, and hard work.  The mascot does not represent savagery.  Canton is a respectable school and spectators do not dress stereo-typically Native American for football games or have racist themes.  They simply wear red and yell, “Go Chiefs!”  They do not promote savagery- they promote school spirit and good character.

 I am not going to be one to say that there is not racism at P-CEP.  There is racism everywhere, but the name of the mascot is irrelevant.  The problem is that the community is not properly educated on how to acknowledge and respect our differences.  The way Sophie words her petition proves this point.  Talking about a sensitive subject, like racial injustice, requires caution.  The fact that thought of Native Americans being “savage” and “below-human” comes to YOUR mind when you hear the word, “chief,” is the problem.  Not the word.  The people putting racism behind the word need to stop.

As a community, we should learn about and honor the history behind Native Americans and all cultures. The students, and the community, need to be educated on what Native American culture means.  It does not imply savagery.  The connotations to the culture are not negative if you educate yourself.  If you base your cause on ignorance and quite literally using the stereotypes that you are so against, you are not helping anyone.  You are the problem and you are making people like my family look like we are animals.

I noticed a comment on Jeffers’ petition by “Bridigt Cook”  saying, “I want my children to be able to be proud of their school mascot.”  My question to her is: Why can’t your children be proud of being a chief?  Is it because Native Americans, like myself, are apparently “below-human” “savages?”  The much larger problem that needs to be fixed is how people look at and view Native Americans.  You should not hear “chief” and think Native Americans, savages, barbarians, or whatever other racist thoughts that come to mind.  A chief is a leader, not a Native American leader, but just a leader.  The link in people’s minds from the word chief to Native Americans to savages is the problem.  The people are the problem- not the mascot.  What being Native American is really all about is caring and loving your family and friends unconditionally and judgement free- nothing, but goodness.  Being of Native American descent, I would like to use my voice and introduce this petition to keep the Canton Chief name and mascot.