Jamestown Justice Coalition Calls Red Raider Name “A Mockery”


JAMESTOWN — A local civil rights group is calling on the Jamestown School District to change the name of the Jamestown High School Red Raiders, calling the name “white appropriated Native American imagery,” and claimed the schools are making a mockery of native culture.

“White-appropriated Native American imagery has no place in education or athletics. The Jamestown Justice Coalition agrees with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the American Psychological Association (APA), and fellow Jamestown residents of good conscience that there is no place for mascots, imagery, logos or nicknames employing Native American stereotypes in the Jamestown Public School system,” the coalition said in an issued statement. “We therefore respectfully request that the Jamestown Board of Education immediately retire the “Red Raiders” name and all associated imagery and create an inclusive process to generate a new nickname for JPS athletic teams.”

The group went on to say this is not just a local issue, but one nationally impacting.





“Across the United States, Native American iconography has been appropriated by predominately white school districts in the form of tomahawks, war bonnets, tipis, and feathers. According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) there are 567 recognized Tribal entities across the U.S.–567 unique groups with different traditions, rich histories, and lived experiences. When we distill their cultural intricacies into a single image like a feather, or a tomahawk, we’ve objectified and marginalized all Native people. Jamestown is one of many school systems still using these racist symbols, but we must not be the last.,” they said.

The statement went on to say white people “have for decades made the same, shallow arguments against changing these nicknames or logos, often that we are “honoring” Native people. We do not honor anyone by reducing them to a stereotype of a culture we can’t be bothered to understand.”

“Jamestown Public Schools makes a mockery of Native American culture, traditions, history, and religion by portraying Native Americans through these degrading white stereotypes. Simply put, when we refer to Native people as “Red Raiders,” we are ridiculing them. We are actively contributing to an atmosphere of lowered expectations which teach all children Native Americans are an inferior people.”





















Schools are expected to elevate community ideals, the Coalition said.

“What does this nickname convey to students? We expect our schools to elevate the ideals of our community, in addition to educating all our children in core subjects. We include theatre and music programs, organized clubs, and athletics, all of which promote individual growth as children learn teamwork, self-respect, and personal responsibility. These are noble pursuits that enhance our communities in meaningful ways. Tainting them with racist nicknames and logos degrades the efforts of so many excellent educators and school leaders.”

Coalition members are reaching out to school board officials and area residents to change the name and logo.

“Changing a nickname will never erase Jamestown’s proud history of athletic accomplishments anymore than it will erase racism from our community. Alumni should still be just as proud of Jamestown and their teams’ accomplishments. Our community will still have work to do to address systemic racism beyond this single issue.”









“The Jamestown Board of Education has the power to change this with a single vote. For those who wish to keep the name despite student discomfort, who have heard the accusations of racism and ignored reality, who think being silent will make this discomfort go away, the times have found you.”

 

7 Comments

  1. The evidence that these nicknames harm children and Native people is overwhelming. Changing the name now would be a relatively simple decision with very little downside.

    • Excuse me??? My name is Lorisanet Torres Marrero and im a PROUD STUDENT of JHS !!! This whole article is just dumb as hell and we take pride on out mascot and logo!!!! If you wanna change its name then you are going to have to face the proud students of this school including me!!! You are messing with the wrong raider family!!! And of course the BLM stuff is happening rn but targetting a school for being proud of who they are? Cmon!! Get a brain!

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