The school district is in Oxford, Ohio and they’ve decided, per the vote, that they’ll no longer purchase or sell apparel and equipment with the Indian head logo as well (depicted above.) The district will retain its capital-T as a logo. A school district spokeswoman told local news outlets that the final board meeting preceding the vote was “long and difficult” but that the vote came after months of discussions about whether or not the name and logo were disrespectful to Native Americans.
“All of the board members were united in their desire to do what is best for students in Talawanda,” the spokeswoman said, “and impressed upon everyone that finding ways to come together is important.”
Talawanda is located just South of Miami University, which dropped its “Redskins” mascot in 1996 and thereafter have been known as the “Red Hawks.”
In January, Scene tabulated the total number of Ohio high schools with Native American mascots. Talawanda was one of 79, and one of six with the “Braves” mascot.
On a related note, the Cleveland Indians have finally parted ways with the racist Chief Wahoo logo. It will no longer appear on team uniforms beginning next season. The franchise had purportedly, though unconvincingly, been phasing out Wahoo for years, but MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred finally intervened and demanded Wahoo’s retirement as a condition of Cleveland’s consideration (and ultimate selection) for the 2019 MLB All-Star Game.
This article appears in Nov 21-27, 2018.
They’d rather have their team named after a feeling than for Native Americans?
Now they will burst with pride every time the national Anthem is played at a game.
“Land of the free-eee-eee…and the home of The Brave!” Even at road games!
But if they put up a “Home of The Brave” sign, people will think they’ve gotten lost and ended up at a military facility. “The Brave” sounds stupid at first, but it’s a good compromise. They could have done worse.