No more racist Indian mascots


Massachusetts


Natick High School
15 West Street
Natick, MA 01760
Mascot:
TBD



On Monday, March 5, 2007, after listening to the community and to Native American people from around the region,
the Natick School Committee voted to end the use of the "Redmen" nickname at Natick High School by the
beginning of the 2008-2009 school year.

What follows is a collection of editorials, columns, letters to the editor, and news stories on the issue in Natick.


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DECEMBER 2006

12/17/06: New traditions will embrace diversity

12/18/06: Redmen mascot is symbol of pride for Natick

12/27/06: Bigger problems than team name

12/28/06: Mandino: The man who gave the Natick Redmen their name

12/30/06: Natick's proud Indian history


JANUARY 2007

1/4/07: A myth that has played-out

1/4/07: A better way to respect Indian heritage

1/8/07: No reason to discriminate

1/10/07: Nickname for Natick

1/18/07: Team names and mascots should not rely on stereotypes

1/19/07: Town of champions

1/24/07: Time to make 'Redmen' history

1/25/07: Tired of Name Issue


FEBRUARY 2007

2/10/07: Wake up, Natick

2/11/07: Keep Chief's hands off Natick

2/15/07: Behind the name 'Redmen'

2/19/07: Redmen is proud tradition

2/19/07: Get Facts Straight

2/21/07: SPEAK OUT: Stick with Redmen

2/21/07: Natick High is no place for racial epithet

2/23/07: Do away with 'Redmen' nickname

2/26/07: Tradition should not hurt feelings


MARCH 2007

3/4/07: Golden: Volunteering a name for Natick mascot

3/4/07: Let the people decide 'Redmen' fate

3/5/07: Agitator's misguided mission

3/5/07: SPEAK OUT: Don't boss us around

3/8/07: My rants for the day: School Committees

3/9/07: SPEAK OUT: No Offense Meant

3/11/07: Redmen not just a 'nickname'

3/14/07: SPEAK OUT: The Idiocy

3/14/07: SPEAK OUT: The Mallers

3/14/07: SPEAK OUT: The Collectors

3/14/07: Buckley: The joy of taking offense

3/15/07: Redmen to "Big Red"

3/16/07: SPEAK OUT: Carpetbaggers

3/16/07: SPEAK OUT: Bootless in Natick

3/16/07: Transplants in Natick

3/22/07: The Natick Taxmen

3/25/07: SPEAK OUT: More Important than Mascot

3/27/07: SPEAK OUT: Missing Old Natick


FEBRUARY 2008

2/13/08: Mascots that Honor: Natick Redmen

2/17/08: Silenced by the white majority

2/20/08: Lighten up over 'Redmen'

2/22/08: Voters will decide on Redmen

2/24/08: Indian names: Honor or insult?

2/25/08: 'Redmen' not derogatory

2/25/08: SPEAK OUT: Right Move on Redmen

2/26/08: No disrespect in name

2/29/08: Let the people decide


MARCH 2008

3/5/08: Haneisen: Nostalgia threatens to hijack ballot

3/15/08: Thalheimer: Treasured part of identity

3/16/08: Golden: Hawk eyes

3/16/08: Indian studies course appropriate

3/17/08: Lavash: Vote to end a hurtful 'tradition'

3/18/08: Time to end stereotype

3/20/08: Editorial: To honor Indians, pick a new name

3/21/08: No 'honor' in 'Redmen'

3/21/08: "Honoring" Natick's losers

3/21/08: WESTON-ROBERTS: Being brave enough to face old scars

3/22/08: Siegel: Can the 'Redmen' nickname

3/22/08: Thalheimer: Natick voters should keep treasured Redmen name

3/23/08: Silverstein: Don't erase tribute to history

3/23/08: Brown: Take the 'men' out of 'Redmen'

3/25/08: Redmen and a dog named Nig

3/26/08: Haneisen: Natick voters motivated by override

3/27/08: The rest of the story

3/27/08: What Does "Non Binding" Mean?

3/31/08: Embracing the Redmen


MAY 2008

5/2/08: THALHEIMER: It's your name and it's time to take it back

5/3/08: Lamont: Redmen unite on Wednesday

5/7/08: Hall: Tradition should remain

5/7/08: Natick Redmen: A Return to Racism

5/8/08: Orr: A perspective on 'Redmen'

5/11/08: Golden: Truth and honor: Beyond the mascot controversy

5/11/08: Ostroff: Welcome dialogue on 'Redmen'

5/12/08: Word on the Street

5/14/08: Ianni: Racism refocused

5/20/08: Reed: Retire 'Redmen' name

5/22/08: Rogaishio: It's time for Redmen truce

5/23/08: Valukis: No disgrace in 'Redmen'

5/24/08: Strand: Dialogues on Redmen debate

5/30/08: Richardson: Correct defect in thinking

5/30/08: Josselyn-Valukis: Move on with respect


JUNE 2008

6/2/08: Mandino: Errors in handling the Redmen issue

6/3/08: Ball: 'Leaders' needed in Natick

6/7/08: Johnson: Nickname is sign of strength

6/7/08: Foilb: Let go of Redmen, alumnus says

6/9/08: Margil: Missing the real issue

6/10/08: Privilege and ignorance in one prejudiced package

6/12/08: Vickers: Retire Redmen nickname

6/12/08: Ianni: Stand for Redmen heritage

6/12/08: Filledes: Retain Redman name

6/13/08: Brown: Natick Redmen: then, now, and forever

6/13/08: Hendricks: Dignity and respect

6/13/08: EDITORIAL: Committee should do away with 'Redmen' name

6/14/08: Editorial: Tradition of respect

6/16/08: Dealing with differences openly

6/17/08: Spitz Bits: Redmen

6/19/08: Lavezzo: Embrace Natick heritage

6/24/08: Natick Redmen: Enough Already!

6/25/08: Haneisen: Too late for Natick Redmen candidates

6/25/08: Marshall: 'Redmen' isn't derogatory

6/29/08: Marshall: Referendum needed on 'Redmen'


JANUARY 2003

1/25/03: Milford Daily News
What's in a name?


DECEMBER 2006

12/12/06: MetroWest Daily News
Is it time for Natick to drop Redmen nickname?

12/12/06: Boston Globe
Natick's teams may be "Redmen" no more

12/13/06: MetroWest Daily News
School leaders want to know: Should Redmen name be replaced?

12/14/06: Boston Globe
'Redmen' nickname may be cut

12/14/06: Boston Globe
Is it the end of the Redmen?

12/19/06: MetroWest Daily News
Man who coined "Redmen'' defends name

12/19/06: Boston Herald
'Redmen' beat out Black Label

12/22/06: MetroWest Daily News
Students show solidarity for keeping Redmen name

12/22/06: MetroWest Daily News
Natick may officially be "Home of Champions''


JANUARY 2007

1/5/07: Boston Globe
Praying Indians chief to address Natick Redmen controversy

1/7/07: Boston Globe
Students weigh in on name

1/9/07: MetroWest Daily News
Blending the old and the new

1/11/07: Boston Globe
On the names of their fathers–Indian Chief joins debate

1/12/07: Natick Bulletin & Tab
Chief offers name change

1/14/07: Boston Globe
Mascot issue "important" to school committee chairman

1/19/07: Framingham TAB
A symbol of injustice

1/19/07: Natick Bulletin & Tab
What do the schools need?

1/30/07: MetroWest Daily News
Natick school mascot vote delayed


FEBRUARY 2007

2/1/07: Natick Bulletin & Tab
Vote on Redmen name now set for March 5

2/7/07: MetroWest Daily News
Family a chief concern for Praying Indians leader

2/9/07: MetroWest Daily News
MIAA takes up school mascots

2/20/07: MetroWest Daily News
Haneisen: Redmen mascot must go

2/21/07: MetroWest Daily News (Blog)
Are you offended by Redmen mascot?

2/25/07: MetroWest Daily News
The battle over Redmen in Natick


MARCH 2007

3/1/07: MetroWest Daily News
Wynne suggests postponing date to alter Redmen nickname

3/4/07: MetroWest Daily News
Rivalries go high tech

3/4/07: MetroWest Daily News
Final vote Monday: Is 'Redmen' nickname offensive?

3/6/07: MetroWest Daily News
Natick drops Redmen nickname

3/6/07: Boston Herald–Associated Press
Natick High School drops Indian-themed sports nickname

3/6/07: WBZ-TV
Report: Natick H.S. Drops Redmen Nickname

3/6/07: WBUR
Natick Schools to Change Mascot

3/6/07: Foster's Daily Democrat
Natick High School drops Indian-themed sports nickname

3/6/07: Indianz.com
Public school in Massachusetts drops 'Redmen' nickname

3/6/07: InteligentaIndigena
Natick drops Redmen nickname

3/6/07: Boston Globe
New national group comes out against mascots

3/6/07: Hub Politics
PC Police Hit Natick High School

3/7/07: MetroWest Daily News
Natick searches for new mascot

3/8/07: MetroWest Daily News
SPITZ: Red, blue and proud in Natick

3/8/07: Boston Globe
Natick School Committee votes out Redmen

3/9/07: Natick Bulletin & Tab
You know you're a Redmen when...

3/11/07: MetroWest Daily News
Despite vote, 'Redmen' keep selling

3/12/07: Bluffton Today
What is in a name?


AUGUST 2007

8/13/07: MetroWest Daily News
Natick High logo board welcomes input


SEPTEMBER 2007

9/16/07: MetroWest Daily News
Committee: What comes after Redmen?

9/16/07: MetroWest Daily News Blog
What do you think should be the Natick mascot?


FEBRUARY 2008

2/12/08: MetroWest Daily News
School nickname survey favors Red Hawks

2/13/08: WPRI-TV
Natick to vote on keeping Indian nickname some find offensive

2/14/08: The Daily Collegian
Off-color mascots not quite an honor

2/29/08: MetroWest Daily News
Supporters gird for vote on Redmen name


MARCH 2008

3/3/08: MetroWest Daily News
Praying Indians chief disappointed by Redmen debate

3/6/08: MetroWest Daily News
Natick nickname task force plans second vote

3/8/08: MetroWest Daily News
Natick Task Forces changes course; goes for Red and Blue

3/26/08: MetroWest Daily News
Voters support reconsidering Redmen name

3/27/08: MetroWest Daily News
Natick vote won't delay Redmen name change


APRIL 2008

4/2/08: MetroWest Daily News
School Committee wants legal opinion on Redmen name

4/3/08: WGBH Greater Boston
Should the Natick Redmen keep their name?

4/10/08: MetroWest Daily News
Redmen debate rears its head at Natick Town Meeting

4/16/08: MetroWest Daily News
Natick Redmen forum set for May 7


MAY 2008

5/7/08: MetroWest Daily News
Natick residents to sound off on Redmen nickname

5/8/08: MetroWest Daily News
Redmen debate continues in Natick

5/9/08: MetroWest Daily News
History of Redmen nickname debated at forum

5/16/08: Wicked Local Natick
Who has control over a school nickname?

5/20/08: MetroWest Daily News
Redmen nickname won't face legal threat

5/26/08: MetroWest Daily News
Teach-in on Redmen planned

5/28/08: MetroWest Daily News
Professor: Redmen name could bring law suits


JUNE 2008

6/10/08: MetroWest Daily News
Pro-Redmen group issues legal opinion

6/15/08: MetroWest Daily News
What's in a nickname? Redmen decision comes tomorrow

6/16/08: MetroWest Daily News
Redmen will no longer be Natick team name

6/17/08: Indianz.com
Massachusetts school drops 'Redmen' nickname

6/17/08: Associated Press
Mass. town will no longer use "Redmen" nickname

6/18/08: MetroWest Daily News
Redmen Forever seek referendum on vote

6/18/08: Boston Globe
Group fights for school nickname

6/19/08: MetroWest Daily News
Natick school administrators to pick new name for Redmen

6/20/08: Crosswalk.com
Mass. High School Bans 'Redmen' Sports Nickname

6/20/08: MetroWest Daily News
Redmen Forever drops petition drive

6/20/08: Wicked Local Natick
Still of two minds

6/21/08: MetroWest Daily News
Redmen Forever changing tactics

6/22/08: Boston Globe
Redmen retired, maybe


JULY 2008

7/2/08: MetroWest Daily News
Natick separates politics from annual parade

7/19/08: MetroWest Daily News
Natick nickname group to form PAC

7/25/08: Wicked Local Natick
Why Redmen supporters want to form a Political Action Committee

7/27/08: MetroWest Daily News
Redmen political action committee a welcome addition


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