LAUSD to Eliminate Native American Mascots

Re “Native Americans Win 17-Year Fight,” Sept. 8:

Instead of attempting to abolish a symbol of heritage, the groups of Native Americans should be doing everything possible to sensitize the schools to recognize these as symbols of pride and to foster understanding. How many other mascots or symbols--Vikings, Maccabees, Celtics--bring a sense of pride to their people?

The Times reported that the cost to one school would be $35,000. It had been earlier reported that for all schools to comply would cost an estimated $300,000. Instead of spending valuable time and money, the Los Angeles Unified School District board should be looking at real needs and issues. For example, the L.A. schools’ speech and language department is so understaffed that full-time speech pathologists are taking on double caseloads and there are still students who don’t get the services they need. The $300,000 is a drop in the proverbial bucket relative to the entire LAUSD budget, but it would sure help not to have to use it for erasing symbols.

STUART MACOFSKY

Woodland Hills

* So, Chumash tribal elder Joseph P. Talaugon calls school mascots with Indian names “racism” and “a hate crime.” Hmm. I’m Irish and I look it. Maybe I should start screaming at the University of Notre Dame about its mascot (the leprechaun), and say, “This doesn’t honor Irish people. This promotes hate and depicts us as short, angry and violent! You are guilty of a hate crime!” Hey, maybe I could sue! Nah--fortunately, I have a life.

PAUL C. CATE

Long Beach

* Your article is a step in the right direction toward public literacy about the American Indian. Talaugon says, “Stereotyping only perpetuates racism.” One who is not an American Indian and who is an avid sports enthusiast only understands what the Indian mascot, as well as the fan, ought to behave like--warriors and savages, in order to win a game. Having a “Mohican,” “Brave,” or “Chief” as a mascot sends that 19th-century message to people that all American Indians are savages.

Those who are not in favor of the LAUSD’s vote to abolish these stereotypical mascots fail to see the larger issue. This issue is racism, and not a “harmless expression of school spirit.”

SEAN C. BERRIOS

Whittier

* Certainly no team would ever choose a name that was in any way demeaning! Nicknames honor those groups. How can anyone object to being a Brave or a Warrior? Those are names to be proud of. The word is “braves” not “cowards”! These misguided souls would have us erase the very heritage they are hoping to safeguard.

CRAIG THORNBURGH

Monrovia

* What’s next? The Italian restaurant owners going after the Romans at L.A. High?

LESLIE C. BRAND

Pasadena