Milan Area Schools chooses hawk for its new symbol
A hawk will be the new symbol of Milan Area Schools, the Milan News-Leader reported.
Milan has already removed some Native American imagery. Here, Milan basketball players take on Whitmore Lake in this November 2011 file photo.
The hawk will be the district’s logo, but it will continue to use the name Big Reds for its athletic teams, the newspaper reported.
Although district officials say the Big Reds nickname arose from the use of red uniforms and was not originally associated with Native Americans, images such as a spear and feather and a chief image on the middle school gym floor have become associated with teams over the years.
The district decided last year to drop all Native American imagery while keeping the Big Reds name.
The district began looking at the issue after resident James Farrar complained about the use of the images.
Comments
Chris B.
Sun, Jan 13, 2013 : 10:55 p.m.
Although more positive representation of Native America is certainly needed, kudos to Milan schools for eliminating this callous stereotype.
Billy Bob
Sun, Jan 13, 2013 : 9:02 p.m.
This having to be politically correct is ridiculous. Maybe we should approach the school board about doing away with the "Big Reds." There may be people who are physically big that are offended or maybe people who just don't like the color red. Who out there is looking out for their feelings?
a2xarob
Sun, Jan 13, 2013 : 6:56 p.m.
I've seen lots of beautiful hawks over the fields in Milan. This is a great choice for a symbol for Milan Schools!
Jason Lopez
Sun, Jan 13, 2013 : 6:33 p.m.
Milan sheep is better the school board are all just hacks for doing this.
Dog Guy
Sun, Jan 13, 2013 : 4:26 p.m.
This is a darn sneaky way of avoiding the p.c.-mandated name, "Eagles."
sellers
Sun, Jan 13, 2013 : 3:15 p.m.
The euro centric modern state is destine to erase all native history. (case: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lies_My_Teacher_Told_Me ) We need to partner with the Native tribes to honor and remember them. CMich did it with the Chippawas and kudos to them. Their name and history will continue to live on and be shared.
JGS
Sun, Jan 13, 2013 : 1:47 p.m.
That's so disrespectful to the bird community to use "hawk" as a mascot name. All of these schools with Native American pride should be renamed either "The Puppy Toes" or the "Rainbows" /sarcasm