Letter to the Editor: Coming Together in True Warrior Spirit
There’s a lot more to being a warrior than fighting. When most people hear the term “warrior,” they think of battling or being aggressive. A successful warrior also shows self-discipline, compassion, courage, integrity, service to others, and respect for differences. Our community needs to demonstrate these traits as we face the challenges of the Carpinteria mascot issue, which include:
» Separating myth from fact: Will Warrior spirit die if Native American symbols are removed? No. Our athletic and school culture and traditions are very important to our community. The Warrior name will not change. Pride, honor, teamwork, sportsmanship, courage and loyalty can be associated with many images. The Native American imagery is not appropriate and needs to change.
» Lack of understanding of negative effects of stereotypic imagery: Stereotypes are harmful because they maintain false generalizations about a group of people and can lead to prejudice. For example, a person from another country might think all Americans are rich, loud and arrogant after meeting a few tourists or seeing our movies and TV shows, and then decide they don’t like any Americans. In the case of Native American mascots, they weaken the ability of Native Americans to show accurate and respectful images of their culture, spirituality and traditions. They hurt both those who hold the stereotypes as well as those being stereotyped. Hundreds of school districts have successfully removed such imagery. We need to learn about stereotypes and prejudice and how these are harmful. We can also start a class about the history of Native Americans, their diverse cultures, and current issues they face.
» Corrective action by Carpinteria Unified School District: The formation of a citizens committee to examine the imagery and advise the school board regarding its removal is a step in the right direction. More can and must be done. The committee needs to consider Native American expertise, begin its work soon and complete its tasks by early fall. We must continue with the efforts made during Be the Change Week and Challenge Day through diversity training for staff and students as well as programs to reduce prejudice, bullying and violence.
» The use of bullying, intimidation, name-calling, and presenting incorrect or incomplete information: Provide training in respectful communication and conflict resolution skills and use these skills.
» The popular belief that issues are decided by majority opinion: The mascot issue is related to the rights of individual people and discrimination. Most people do not back such issues at first. Consider the ending of slavery, women’s right to vote, and school desegregation. Not all school board decisions will reflect popular opinion. Many sports, professional and religious organizations have recommended the removal of Native American imagery as sports mascots. Among these groups are the NCAA, National Education Association, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, American Psychological Association, Commission on Catholic Community Action, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., and the American Jewish Committee.
» Belief that use of the imagery is legal: The school board’s attorney stated that use of Native American imagery is legal “on its face,” that is, until it is challenged in California court.
We call upon our schools, churches and community groups to work together to meet these challenges. We have an opportunity to strengthen the true Warrior spirit through persistent, courageous action. We are confident that our community is up to the task.
Becki Norton, Amy Orozco, Betty Songer, the Rev. Toni Stuart and Debbie Weinstein
Carpinteria
» wrote on 07/18/08 @ 09:48 AM
Remove the mascot..how about removing the hypocrisy first…
There is something very curious about a group of people who wants to tell me how to think or what actions I should take so that others may not think badly of another certain group of people. Sound like convoluted logic? It is. That is the latest coming from a group of folks calling themselves “Unified Carpinterians”. Of course, the issues are related to the Carpinteria High mascot controversy. Somehow they want me to believe that a beloved kitschy Indian head at the entrance to the high school is causing native Chumash people psychological harm, especially the children. If I do as they say, we’ll all be unified and happy.
But the logic is not defined. Instead we get feckless cliches like “not appropriate” “racist” “disrespectful stereoptypes” and “other school districts have removed imagery”. Not once is mentioned why an image that is not owned or copyrighted by the Chumash is enough to crumble the self-esteem of a people, while Indian gambling casinos that multiply on the California landscape are a source of pride.
At Indianz.com, there is a forum about the Carp High mascot issue and comments about educating us racists who support keeping the images. Curiously on the website are pictures and slogans about Indians killing cowboys and keeping invading white people out of America. Hardly respectful.
Now we have a committee appointed to look closer at the issue. Once again certain board members have shown poor judgment. Amrita Salm says..."if you wrote a letter to the Coastal View or signed the petition, you can’t serve on the committee”. She wants to discriminate against potential committee members because they exercised the right of free speech. Leslie Deardorff nominated her husband. My goodness, supporting nepotism and discrimination are hardly traits we should celebrate in our Board of Educators.
I am certain Carpinteria will get through this all just fine. If the images are racist or illegal, they should go. If they are being used by the Chumash to claim imaginary harm, that is not a reason to remove them.
Brian Ehler
» wrote on 07/23/08 @ 11:17 AM
Mr. Ehler has some questions and concerns that appear to be held by many people in our community. They deserve to be addressed.
Native Americans are indeed a critical part of our local and national history. Learning about authentic Native culture and history and building relationships with Natives in our community enriches our lives. These are legitimate ways to honor this group of people.
Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary defines stereotype as: “to repeat without variation; make hackneyed; to develop a mental stereotype about.” Hackneyed, in turn, is defined as: “lacking in freshness or originality; trite.”
Many of the images at the high school do not represent local Native culture – they are of Plains or Lakota Indians (e.g., headdresses, arrows, eagle feathers, engaging in warfare). These are images that have been perpetuated by the media and entertainment industry during the last century. They represent a narrow part of Native culture from another area of the country that may not even be particularly accurate. They were adopted here at a very different time in our country’s history. There is much diversity in Native cultures that has not been well-represented or taught in our schools.
Although the images are not “owned” by the Natives, per se, people have the right to influence how they are portrayed by others and say whether they are flattered or offended by the icons. This especially applies in a public school – an institution that receives federal funding and is subject to following anti-discrimination laws.
A Mascot is defined as: “a person, animal, or object adopted by a group as a symbolic figure, especially to bring them good luck.” Mascots are used essentially for their entertainment value. This becomes rather condescending and insulting when a group of people is being used for others’ entertainment. Is it right to be entertained at the expense of harming others? Consider what would happen if another ethnicity were used as a mascot, for example, the Carpinteria Hispanics, the Carpinteria Blacks, the Carpinteria Asians, or the Carpinteria Jews. This would not be tolerated.
The Natives are telling us, no thanks, we don’t want to be ‘adopted’ as your good luck symbol without our consent.
Many of the images at our schools are not respectful because they do not accurately portray local Natives, either historically, or in the present day. Their approval and consent have not been obtained in their use. The imagery at Indian casinos, on the other hand, is owned by their respective bands, and they have complete control over and rights to its use.
There is some local Chumash imagery in our schools as well. If this is to continue to be used, it should be done with the approval and authorization of local Natives.
Since many of the images are stereotypical, they are also racist, and therefore inappropriate to be displayed in public institutions of learning.
The harm caused by the stereotypical images is very real and damages the self-esteem of Natives by sending the continuous message: “We’ll tell you how we want to define you and present you – this is who you are.”
Those that hold and perpetuate the stereotypes are equally harmed by this practice.
» wrote on 07/23/08 @ 05:45 PM
It appears the mascot issue can be interpreted to fit many views. The fact is stereotypes exist. It is clear that in some cases stereotyping is simply a defense mechanism. I agree that stereotyping often embodies prejudice (people who wear head scarves are terrorists) but the images at Carpinteria High do not demean any group of people as is claimed by the Chumash. A stereotype is an oversimplified conception that is not necessarily racist, as Ms. Norton suggests.
It appears the images were adopted to champion a warrior spirit. If you want to cherry- pick meanings from the dictionaries, here’s one: Warrior: One who is engaged aggressively or energetically in an activity, cause, or conflict: neighborhood warriors fighting against developers.Anyone can be a warrior..it is not a bad thing. To suggest there were no warriors among Indians is not credible. There are complaints against the images in Carpinteria, but I believe the Chumash are reading too much into it and they have every right to do that.
The images are of a general and symbolic nature and not prejudiced, ie, bigoted, intolerant or discriminatory. Simply because there are a few Indian images on a mural (there’s also flowers, a baby in the womb, and trees) does not automatically mean racism!
If the images are to be removed, the Chumash and their supporters need to show why. Thus far, that hasn’t happened. I’ve heard platitudes about mascots and racism, negative portrayal of Indians by the media, professional sports teams who use COWBOYS and INDIANS as mascots, and some other irrelevant issues.
Now, how does all this this relate specifically to the Carp High images?
» wrote on 07/24/08 @ 12:23 AM
Clearly the community of Carpinteria did not intend to harm anyone when the Native mascot and imagery were originally adopted and does not intend to do so now by continuing to display them. Our schools are not using caricatures or mockery in their depictions of Natives (although rival teams may do so during sporting events) and are attempting to present the images respectfully. The harm is much more subtle, chronic, and insidious and relates to stereotypes themselves. We can agree that “images of a general nature” such as the Indian head are stereotypes. Where we seem to be stuck is how stereotypes in and of themselves, even positive ones, can be harmful. They all restrict others’ view of us. For instance, positive stereotypical traits of Americans are generous, open, and friendly, yet negative stereotypes can include rich, loud, and arrogant, as mentioned above. All of these limit others’ ability to get to know me and other Americans as individuals. All forms of stereotypes can limit our choices and opportunities. Furthermore, when a public institution condones stereotyping by example, it legitimizes the practice.
We have a record of the viewpoints of Eli Cordero as well as the Chumash Coastal Band. I will paraphrase Eli’s letter here: “To use ceremonial symbols of any culture in any way without explicit permission from that group of people is immoral and saddening, and to portray stereotypical images of a race is an act of ignorance that should never be ignored…The only education it brings [students in Carpinteria] is one of generalization and misjudgment.”
The Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation Tribal Council submitted a letter to the Carpinteria School Board on March 11, 2008, stating the following:
“We, the Tribal Council of the Chumash Nation, support Elias Matisz-Cordero in his efforts to prevent the stereotyping of native peoples at Carpinteria [Middle School] and High Schools through the use of native mascots and imagery. We support our youth in their efforts to bring awareness regarding stereotypes and respect for native culture. These issues are important to our tribes and native communities. We urge the school board to take action on this matter.
Respectfully,
Janet D. Garcia
Tribal Chairwom[a]n”
Mr. Ehler states that the Chumash and their supporters have yet to show why the images need to be removed. As demonstrated by their statements above, they already have shown that they are stereotypical and feel disrespected by them. What further evidence or explanation should be required? While stereotyping is a natural human tendency, we need to push beyond stereotypes to see the wide range of humanity in all people.
» wrote on 07/24/08 @ 12:50 AM
I, too, find the Carpinteria Warriors mascot depiction to be offensive. To properly venerate the modern Indian warrior, it should carry a roulette rake and have some cards and dice in its hands. Or look like Wayne Newton.
» wrote on 07/24/08 @ 09:46 AM
The fact is the Chumash have no case. All I’ve heard is opinions about the images which are easily challenged with a little logic. To suggest that I don’t respect native Americans because of some images on a high school wall is nonsense. Any lack of respect for the Chumash that I feel is related to the gambling operations, which by the way, will create new stereotypes. Even if you removed every mascot and icon related to Indians or anybody across America, stereotypes would still exist. Should the young men of the Chumash tribe cut off their ponytails so as not to perpetuate a stereotype? And who are the images on the walls depicting? For all I know they could be the Aztecs from Mexico who were poets and warriors..like me!
As for Elias, I support his right and courage to bring this issue to light. He may want to stop and ask his elders a few questions: why did they leave it to him after 30 years to complain about the CHS images; what are the negative consequences of gambling; why are they teaching that a mere image on a wall depicting an Indian figure holding a torch should be enough to make you feel disrespected? In other words, is the problem the images on the high school mural or the way the Chumash choose to perceive them. You may have to dig a little deeper to find an answer.....
» wrote on 07/24/08 @ 03:29 PM
I really appreciate Mr. Ehler’s candor and willingness to engage in this discussion.
Let’s be clear that the Chumash having no case is his current opinion, not a fact.
He has not yet responded to the facts (not opinions) that even positive stereotypes are harmful to people for the following reasons: They limit others’ view of another group; 2. They in turn limit peoples’ choices and opportunities; 3. They serve to define others’ identity for them; and 4. They have real, demonstrated harmful psychological effects, as shown by research.
No one is suggesting that our community doesn’t intend to respect Native Americans. Again, the original intention in adopting this mascot was to honor, not dishonor. Now that our community has been informed that stereotypical images are offensive to Natives, if we continue to display them in our schools, we can be accused of being intentionally disrespectful (and hence racist as it applies to an entire group of people).
Here’s a pertinent analogy:
Person A: “You may not be aware that you’re stepping on my foot, but look, your foot’s on top of mine and it hurts. Please get off.”
Person B: “I may be stepping on your foot but I’m not pressing that hard so it can’t hurt.”
Person A: “It actually does, please get off.”
Person B: “Maybe you shouldn’t let it bother you.”
Person A: “Is the problem that you’re stepping on my foot and refuse to get off or that my nerve endings are signalling pain to my brain?”
No matter how nice a giver considers his gesture to be, he cannot tell the recipient how to feel. Whether or not someone feels honored by our actions is not under our control. The honor is defined by the recipient’s response, not the giver’s intention.
Indian gaming/ gambling is an entirely separate issue that may deserve to be discussed in its own right, yet takes the focus off the one at hand.
We agree on the point that stereotypes will always exist. However, this does not justify their continued use, particularly in a public educational institution. People have a right to individual expression. We need to consciously and actively work to identify stereotypes, look beyond them, and eliminate them, as they are always limiting to people.
I believe that it is patronizing to say one supports Elias unless it is backed with real, positive change in response to his request.
The most effective and lasting change evolves from the inside out. This issue was brought to the school board once already in 1994 and not dealt with thoroughly then.
The issue is really a gateway one that has much larger ramifications. The real questions remain for the administration and staff in our schools, churches, and community groups:
What are the negative consequences of publicly upholding a stereotype about a group of people?
What does this teach? What messages are we sending?
What do students and others in the community learn when they see these?
What are stereotypes? How can they be beneficial? How can they be hurtful?
How can they lead to prejudice?
How have you been or how do you plan to teach about acceptance of diversity, tolerance of differences, respectful communication, discussion of controversial issues, and conflict resolution?
These are all critical skills in today’s world. We have been presented with a prime opportunity to reinforce critical thinking and communication skills that ought not be missed.
» wrote on 07/25/08 @ 09:08 AM
I’m sure we won’t solve the crisis here, but a few more thoughts:
I did respond to the stereotype question but here’s more...we are all stereotyped: I’m part Irish ..the stereotype is that I drink and fight all the time and I am a little leprechaun mascot printed on the Boston Celtics uniform. I understand the typecast, am not bothered by it, and am very happy regardless of what folks think about Irish Americans. That’s my choice.
We can’t possibly remove all the ways in which people are portrayed, or how they think they are portrayed, so that only a desired image is maintained. Even I am not that narcissistic! Giving so much power to an image or stereotype diminishes the power of free thought..
I don’t think you give the students enough credit for seeing through the attempts to link the Carp images to racism, the Chumash or all the other issues you raised. In reality, the images at Carp High have nothing to do with the Chumash.
Since the focus is on stereotypes, then the Chumash casino gambling is very much part of the discussion. When tribal leaders claim to stand behind Elias while at the same time using many stereotypes in their advertising to sell the casino, “easy money, shiny new cars, win big, hit the jackpot, play the slots, Fiesta Mexicana” not only is that patronizing, but hypocritical as well. If you claim to be an educator, then at least be honest with the students.
BTW..I pay taxes, support public schools and have no problem with the images. My issue is with the few teachers who are more concerned with controlling students than educating them…
» wrote on 07/25/08 @ 12:26 PM
The amount of school district and community energy spent on this issue is bordering on the absurdity. As Mr. Ehler stated himself the Native American mascot is a “kitschy Indian head” (by the way it is not representing an image from the country of India). Its just an image folks. The Warrior name will be retained. Is it not possible to be a Carpinteria warrior without the outdated image? If those so offended spent 1/2 of the energy in educating our children that they do in collecting recall signatures and spreading untrue rumors about school board members, Carpinteria would have a more enlightened and hopefully more tolerant youth.
In reading the legal opinion given to the board by counsel, I recall that although there is no law that requires school districts to remove offensive imagery, the intent of the court was for school districts to “do the right thing” and remove it of their own volition. The sentimentality for some is appreciated, but the image does not define the warrior spirit. pay76
» wrote on 08/27/08 @ 03:34 PM
Becki Norton, get a life. If you read your press releases enough times you start to believe them, don’t you. You and your pathetic cronies, including Amrita Salm and Beverly Grant, have done this community and the children in our schools harm and you should be ashamed of yourselves.
[Editor’s note: How about trying again without extended personal attacks? Thank you.]
» wrote on 08/31/08 @ 06:48 PM
I wonder what harm Amrita and Beverly have done? Amrita and the group she is involved with, Carp Cares for Youth, brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars of mental health services to students. I know all school board members volunteer thousands of hours of unpaid, unrecognized time and all they get is flack from people who DO seem to have a political agenda. Wouldn’t it be nice if we thank our volunteers rather than throw stones at them?