For many years Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida has appropriated the name and likeness of the people indigenous that once called that area home. This sickening example of cultural appropriation is no longer relevant with today, and must be changed! Using an oppressed people as a mascot for a university predominantly full of little white kids—a university that has less than 0.08% of its student body of indigenous descent—is despicable and is an alarming and continuing attack on native sensitivities. A university that decide it was just to appropriate a native people’s cultural and likeness to decorate their abominable monument to the white man’s arrogance: Doak Campbell Stadium

It is time we changed the mascot to be more diverse, equal, and inclusive! It’s time Florida State conformed to Critical Race Theory!

Our first demand is that FSU immediately remove all logos and depictions of the Seminole people, and replace them with a mascot much more aligned with FSU’s current identity.

The Manatee—a graceful and majestic creature—aligns much better with Florida State’s football team and fandom. Like FSU’s linebackers, manatees willingly allow anyone to get near them without being aggressive in any way. Additionally, like their offensive line, manatee’s will let anyone roll them over. 

Manatee’s are also one of the largest aquatic mammals in the wilds of Florida, so there’s no need to fear anyone skinny shaming them (a problem countless struggle with silently today). 

By far replacing the Seminole with a manatee still further aligns with the FSU team: for example, much like Florida State’s receivers, manatee’s don’t have hands. Both will feel very at home together! Again like the FSU Receivers, the manatee’s don’t have to fear because there’s no one to throw anything to them anyway.

Finally, manatees are rare and endangered, just like FSU scoring drives! Manatees (and FSU) need protection from big scary predators like Tigers, Hornets, Eagles, and Golden Bears. By changing the mascot to a manatee, we can ensure the public is aware of how gentle, sensitive, and delicate the FSU Manatees are!

Our second demand is to change the mascot from the Seminoles to the manatees, to better conform with FSU Football’s identity as the peaceful sea cow of the ACC. 

Thank you for your support. AND GO BEARS!!!