Jun. 23, 2009 - Parkwood High's Rebel Mascot Called into Question...

NAACP discusses school's rebel mascot | WCNC.com | Local News for Charlotte, North Carolina | Top St

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 Bobby Sailer at 8:25pm June 22

Get over it!

 Lori Bee at 9:16pm June 22

Just had a thought... Can we keep the name and make the mascot look like James Dean? I mean seriously, I'm all for that look. And with all the motorcyclists that live here... Might be a great compromise.

 James Piedad at 9:18pm June 22

I would love to do the long rant, but I will run with Bobby - get over it.

 Christine Staggs at 10:12pm June 22

I feel that it's utterly rediculous! Then the media gets involved and makes it a "story". Come now-little minds-little thoughts. Someone needs to find something to do productive

 Les Burns at 11:10pm June 22

What's the deal with Rebels? They didn't own any slaves, they just fought. The plantation owners and politicians like Thomas Jefferson owned them. I don't see any objections to the schools named after them.

 Cary Wiltz at 11:32pm June 22

I think the name is fine and doesn't tie in to ANYTHING the critics are trying to smear.

 Lori Bee at 5:14am June 23

That's very true Les about Thomas Jefferson and many of the other politicians in our history having owned slaves. So why don't they rename the Jefferson Monument too? (I'm not really suggesting that but... you get my point).

There is a line here somewhere folks... a point b/w history, heritage and offensiveness. My question is,IS this offensive? You tell me how then.... I really want to try to understand.

 Lori Bee at 5:25am June 23

Daggone it. I'm not awake yet. I meant Jefferson Memorial. Mas cafe por favor.

 Lori Bee at 6:23am June 23

Found this link... http://www.nas.com/~lopresti/ps.htm about which Presidents owned slaves.

Now this is not US History we should be proud of ... by no means. But it is history. It was the times. But do we really learn anything by re-writing history and renaming anything, and trying to pretend it never happened? Another question floating around in.my mind this morning....

I hope we all go throughout the day loving our fellow man (and hey wo-man too!), no matter who they are, and where they came from. And know that our strength comes in learning from our mistakes. Not re-writing them.

 

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Jun. 23, 2009 - RE: Parkwood High's Rebel Mascot Called into Question...

As an African-American male and fairly well-known Realtor and Radio personality in Columbia SC, I find myself in the middle of these sensitive discussions. Therefore, my comments are not meant to offend. They are made in an effort to educate others on the mindset of ONE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CAROLINIAN.

"...but I feel like it still doesn't represent everyone..." -- Bianca Faulkner

Though taking her quote out of context, Bianca makes a good point. In a perfect world, a mascot should be an object of affection for EVERYONE at a school. As an Alum of Queens University in Charlotte. King Rex was like family to me. I would love for everyone to share that experience in a mascot.

"We've got to learn to live together and get past the pass and stop putting salt in wounds … or it'll never be a great country,” -- Gerald Freeman. (This was the direct quote from WCNC.com)

Gerald gets no argument from me on learning to live together.

Here's the problem. There are organizations (PLURAL) that love to excavate the bones of times past. Are we still healing from the founding principles and laws of this country? YES

Is that problem as bad as 40 years ago.... NO.

In my opinion, when the Ole Miss Rebels come to Columbia in the fall, I won't feel offended by the mascot. I want the Gamecocks to win because of the locale not the mascot.

WHEN I DRIVE BY THE STATE HOUSE to see the game and watch that flag fly over my head..... that "put salt in wounds".

Our government should be our leaders! If the leaders embrace or condone these symbols through compromise, how should I as an African-American male feel about my leadership?

In fairness..............

Do these residual symbols govern or impact my life. NO!

Why? I've embraced DIVERSITY not ADVERSITY!

Maybe...  ALL OF US.... should embrace diversity IN ALL WE DO!

With all that said...... IF WE DON'T IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN THESE SCHOOLS.... The mascot won't matter.

We'll all be ignorant in the eyes of the world!

Let's put FIRST THINGS FIRST!

Thanks for reading with an open mind!

Jun. 23, 2009 - RE: Parkwood High's Rebel Mascot Called into Question...

Thank you David for your opinion.   Such a valid point about putting the quality of our education above the importance of a mascot. But this "potential" lawsuit will cost the taxpayers $$. In fact, I would argue it already has, with the cost of this meeting. I would have much rather that money went towards textbooks or a teacher's salary.

I really wanted to make sure I wasn't off track. I want our community to be unified.  ALL of our community. A word only has the importance you give it...  A symbol for that matter too. You can make it negative; you can make it positive.

I choose to recognize our history and be "positive" about where we have come from, and where we are going. 

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."  I agree with this and while we can't ignore it, nor should we re-write it. However another one of my favorite quotes is, "If you are always looking back, you can't see where you are going."  

We know where we've been people. It was an awful place. Now let''s move on together. And help our kids learn too..... :-)

Jun. 23, 2009 - RE: Parkwood High's Rebel Mascot Called into Question...

Jun. 23, 2009 - RE: Parkwood High's Rebel Mascot Called into Question...

This is just so silly, but actually happened at my own university....Sonoma State! When I was going to school there, we were the SSU Cossacks. Apparently Cossacks were unruly Ukrainian militaristic types. However, since I am Ukrainian....I have love for these unruly types! Anyway, since leaving college I've learned that SSU has since replaced our Cossack mascot with the "Seawolf". I guess some overly worried idealists believed this was a bad image for the school and not really "PC" in this day and age. Apparently cheering on a non-existent wolf that swims in the sea is more appropriate. Go figure!

Jun. 23, 2009 - RE: Parkwood High's Rebel Mascot Called into Question...

What do we do with the Rambler Rebel? (It is a car)

We cannot rewrite history, but more importantly by defination a Rebel is one who rebels and as a parent ,what is more appropriatet the word rebel when it comes to a high school teenager?

Jun. 24, 2009 - RE: Parkwood High's Rebel Mascot Called into Question...

Two Well Written Editiorials that appeared in today's Monroe Enquirer-Journal.  One of them explains why I've never "seen" this Mascot.  It exists in name only......  There is no physical person or even emblem used like a confederate soldier for some time.

The other editorial stated that we'd be better off we'd focus on the issues affecting these children's education right now, rather than the past. 

Here is the link: http://enquirerjournal.southernheadlines.com/paperbot/tools/pdf.cfm?CFID=21353145&CFTOKEN=38e2421fb27b0924-07442680-BD58-2471-F770D86E2F316D2B    But you do have to pay to subscribe.  Sorry.

Jun. 25, 2009 - RE: Parkwood High's Rebel Mascot Called into Question...

Sounds like the NAACP is getting a little bored and the media was looking for a story to divide us once again, so here we are.  What a waste when there are far greater issues this country is facing.  Hang in there Parkwood mascot supporters.  It is your mascot and you should have the final say.