Milan schools to drop Native American imagery, keep Big Reds name
Milan Area Schools will drop all Native American imagery as it develops a new logo and mascot, while keeping the name Big Reds for its athletic teams, the Milan News-Leader reported.
Native American imagery has already been removed from some team uniforms and school buildings. In this file photo, Milan's Samantha Coon makes a layup over Whitmore Lake's Marta Formoso Prada.
File photo
Although district officials say the nickname arose from the use of red uniforms and was not originally associated with Native Americans, images such as a spear and feather and the chief image on the gym floor have become associated with teams over the years.
The district began looking at the issue after resident James Farrar complained about the use of the images.
Comments
yourmom376
Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 7 p.m.
I think it is very sad. As we say here, Once a Big Red Always a Big Red! We wear that symbol proudly, as an honor. Not in disrespect. They(the board) are basically forcing us to get rid of it. We think, what could ever replace the symbol that we bear proudly. That when our teams no matter which, take the field or court, they do so respectfully, with honor and they try to represent us as a whole. I know I as a graduate and current parent of a high school student there, we take it seriously. It is a shame that people take it as disrespect. Whomever that may be, should look into the history of Milan High School and the area in which is what built. The road was named Redman for a reason. The area is filled with Native American history. We should be teaching and honoring it!
tim
Sun, Apr 22, 2012 : 1:21 p.m.
So what is going to be the new mascot? A Giant soviet era Russian guy?
lonmitch59
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:17 p.m.
Give me a break. I think as an Irishman, I should complain to Notre Dame. How about if I complain because I am an Irish Protestant (Orange) and should protest about the Syracuse nickname? I am from Texas, so I will protest several high school teams that have nicknamed the team the Texans. I am descended from Cowboys, so I plan on stopping by Oklahoma State and complain to them. And on and on and on it goes......
Johnm
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 12:59 p.m.
As a Milan Alumni, it offends me that this guy (Mr Farrar) who us definitely not Native American would make this problem for Milan. He has been at it for about 10 years or so (I remember him trying this back in the early 2000's) and failing. What a shame. As far as the issue of "the white man stealing the land", didn't the "Native" Americans originally come over the land bridge from Asia a long time ago? So that would mean they aren't really native either, and in fact we all have to move back to the Middle East, because we all "originally" came from there anyway? We need to stop coddling this idea of "Native American". We are all suppose to be American, whether we are European, African. Asian or whatever. It has been 100's of years since the British, French and Spanish came over here and colonized this Continent. Time to get over it and move forward.
Johnm
Mon, Apr 30, 2012 : 2:32 p.m.
It is good to ask for forgiveness for yourself from the lord. I applaud you
shutthefrtdoor
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 1:48 p.m.
Forgive them Lord...for they know not what they do...
sandalwood
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 5:43 a.m.
But these Native Americans and their children are collecting thousands of dollars a month from the government (with just a small amount of Native American Blood) I worked with one lady that thought it was funny that her small children had thousands in the bank, and she doesn't have to pay tax's on what she get's every month for having a drop of Native American blood in her, and not taxes from her pay at work!!! I just don't her it!!
sandalwood
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 6:17 a.m.
Oh, and to make it clear, I don't have a problem with the CLOSE Native American's getting the money! Yes, the land was stole from their ancestors, but after all these years they have to draw the line on paying everybody that think they have Indian blood in them!!!
sandalwood
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 5:45 a.m.
Sorry, I meant ... I just don't get it!!!!!
treetowncartel
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:56 p.m.
Maybe, they could with a three headed hydra monster with renderings of Stalin, Lenin and Castro for the three heads.
Mike
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:25 p.m.
Native American imagery should be removed from everywhere. It's so 1800's and who wants to be reminded of indians anyhow?
shutthefrtdoor
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 1:41 p.m.
Out of context perhaps cinnabar???
cinnabar7071
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 9:47 p.m.
Dayne not according to dotdash, his friends to like it at all. "My friends who are Native American are deeply and genuinely offended by this kind of imagery."
Dayne White Bull The Terrible.
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:29 p.m.
Indians do!
AlfaElan
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:24 p.m.
clifford the big red dog comes to mind for a mascot here......
shutthefrtdoor
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:46 p.m.
If non Native people didn't dress up in regalia and act like fools in the process this wouldn't be that big of a deal. But because people don't take this serious and show nothing but disrespect for a culture they know very little about, it has to be this way. I'd like to see the reaction if someone went to Vatican City dressed like the Pope and acted a fool with a beer in their hand. I would guess it would not be taken as an honor to portray his holiness.
tdw
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 3:56 p.m.
I want the statue of the white guy in front of Ypsi's water tower taken down it offends me
Johnm
Mon, Apr 30, 2012 : 2:31 p.m.
What exactly do you mean by "Our People"? We are Americans. I have a fair amount of "Native American" blood in me. So what. "Our people" should mean citizens of the United States. Not Ethnic groups within the United States. It is high time we stop pandering to these groups and come together as one nation.
shutthefrtdoor
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 1:32 p.m.
John...it stops when non Natives respect the wishes and feelings of our people. Settlers have been disgracing Indians for centuries. I dare you to come up with a mascot depicting an African tribesman and see how far that gets you. My guess is anyone dressing up like that wouldn't make it into the stadium!
Johnm
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 1:09 p.m.
Then we must get the New York baseball team to get rid of the Yankees. That could be offensive to Northerners. I tend to wear a lot of White Socks, so Chicago, gotta change your teams name too? All Obama supporters should be upset with the Cincinnati "REDS"? Where does this stop?
Forever27
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 6:59 p.m.
is that because you fancy yourself as a big...?
cinnabar7071
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 3:24 p.m.
Are Native Americans still allowed to attend Milan Area Schools, or are they doing a complete sweep of everything Native American. Such a shame they dont want anything to do with Native Americans.
sandalwood
Sun, Jan 13, 2013 : 11:45 a.m.
I wouldn't blame the Native American's for this. It started because someone that isn't even Native American started this crap! Native American's have more class then this!!!
dotdash
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.
I think it's a good decision. My friends who are Native American are deeply and genuinely offended by this kind of imagery. There are lots of other available mascots, etc. so surely it makes more sense to use some inoffensive ones. These weren't even central or original to the school, apparently.
sandalwood
Sun, Jan 13, 2013 : 11:38 a.m.
And your an ass too!!! This is just someone who wants to get in the news!!
Julie Baker
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 4:24 p.m.
A comment that contained a personal attack and several replies to it were removed.
tdw
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 3:01 p.m.
PC is getting out of control