You have repeated your Cather review--it runs twice at the bottom of your piece. Love Cather, though. My mother-in-law would agree with you on the Cather-Hemingway debate. She is a retired Cather and western-American -literature scholar. (Hemingway, I’ll add, gets a lot less play in the college canon than he once did).
Well stated. It is hard for some to give up a tradition and accept something new. However like it or not, life goes on traditions or not, and how much better to create those that are not at the expense of someone else's history, culture and dignity. Native Americans have suffered enough from the hands of the white settlers.
You get a detailed, very damning view of the 20th century mistreatment of Native Americans in David Maraniss’ latest profile, an admittedly long biography of Jim Thorpe. For example, a continuing focus of the Carlisle Indian institution (attended by Thorpe) was “kill the Indian, save the man.”
As someone who went to an all girls high school and had to live with the burden of our mascot being a Panda - and our team nickname being the Nancy Anns ( for Nazareth Academy), all I have to say to those folks bemoaning a mascot name: suck it up.
But seriously,when it comes to team names and statues, etc, in my community, if even a few of my neighbors are really upset by them as being offensive, I'll come down on the side of my neighbors. What's so hard about finding a name we can all live with or a monument we can all tolerate?
Bravo! The thought of an entire community with its knickers in a twist over a mascot name is beyond absurd. Imagine that energy and support directed toward student safety, bullying, gun control, something that would improve the community quality of life. Just call the mascot "The Aggies" and get on with life!
I wrote my first research paper (8th grade) on Willa Cather's Shadows on the Rock. My assignment was to identify the real historical persons in the book. I learned alot about Quebec history -- and I enjoyed the book. I've read quite a few of here books, but My Antonia remains my favorite, and the only one I've read more than once.
OK. But let's not compare Native American names with the silencing of free speech, right and left , we see in colleges. Even Harvard shut down your Congress woman. Let's not expose those fraguile rich kids to points of few that they might disagree with. Lots of times this distinction is blurred. Yet I hate to admit my favorite American author is F. Scott Fitzgerald, who wrote almost exclusively about rich white Ivy League kids who could not grow up. Oh well !
Set some modern day history with nature, positive local history, economic, and/or social achievements in mind when you come up with your mascot replacement.
You will be remembered in a good way, and your future family members, friends, and neighbors will very much appreciate you for it!!
I'm curious how many of the objectors to the name change have actually attended a sporting event in the past 30 years. It seems to me that many are defending the Indian moniker just to indicate on which "side" of the culture war they are fighting.
Mr. D. (& other readers), side note to say that if you haven't revisited Steinbeck recently, I can't encourage you enough. East of Eden is probably THE great epic of the 20th century. Cannery Row, Sweet Thursday, Winter of Our Discontent, all great reads. My favorite is a "play-novelette" called Burning Bright. I look forward to reading Cather based on your recommendation.
You have repeated your Cather review--it runs twice at the bottom of your piece. Love Cather, though. My mother-in-law would agree with you on the Cather-Hemingway debate. She is a retired Cather and western-American -literature scholar. (Hemingway, I’ll add, gets a lot less play in the college canon than he once did).
Well stated. It is hard for some to give up a tradition and accept something new. However like it or not, life goes on traditions or not, and how much better to create those that are not at the expense of someone else's history, culture and dignity. Native Americans have suffered enough from the hands of the white settlers.
You get a detailed, very damning view of the 20th century mistreatment of Native Americans in David Maraniss’ latest profile, an admittedly long biography of Jim Thorpe. For example, a continuing focus of the Carlisle Indian institution (attended by Thorpe) was “kill the Indian, save the man.”
As someone who went to an all girls high school and had to live with the burden of our mascot being a Panda - and our team nickname being the Nancy Anns ( for Nazareth Academy), all I have to say to those folks bemoaning a mascot name: suck it up.
But seriously,when it comes to team names and statues, etc, in my community, if even a few of my neighbors are really upset by them as being offensive, I'll come down on the side of my neighbors. What's so hard about finding a name we can all live with or a monument we can all tolerate?
I like the mascot...
The Caucasians
Bravo! The thought of an entire community with its knickers in a twist over a mascot name is beyond absurd. Imagine that energy and support directed toward student safety, bullying, gun control, something that would improve the community quality of life. Just call the mascot "The Aggies" and get on with life!
Love your column....a bit of editing is advised
Hi Will,
I wrote my first research paper (8th grade) on Willa Cather's Shadows on the Rock. My assignment was to identify the real historical persons in the book. I learned alot about Quebec history -- and I enjoyed the book. I've read quite a few of here books, but My Antonia remains my favorite, and the only one I've read more than once.
OK. But let's not compare Native American names with the silencing of free speech, right and left , we see in colleges. Even Harvard shut down your Congress woman. Let's not expose those fraguile rich kids to points of few that they might disagree with. Lots of times this distinction is blurred. Yet I hate to admit my favorite American author is F. Scott Fitzgerald, who wrote almost exclusively about rich white Ivy League kids who could not grow up. Oh well !
Set some modern day history with nature, positive local history, economic, and/or social achievements in mind when you come up with your mascot replacement.
You will be remembered in a good way, and your future family members, friends, and neighbors will very much appreciate you for it!!
Great column!
AGREE!!
The Chronicle has a Glens Falls Fighting Squirrel's concept. With the heading "Any Takers?"
Worked up in red and black. A Blue Jay is................. blue.?
Seeing that it's not April, my chances of getting fooled again are a bit lower.
I'm curious how many of the objectors to the name change have actually attended a sporting event in the past 30 years. It seems to me that many are defending the Indian moniker just to indicate on which "side" of the culture war they are fighting.
Mr. D. (& other readers), side note to say that if you haven't revisited Steinbeck recently, I can't encourage you enough. East of Eden is probably THE great epic of the 20th century. Cannery Row, Sweet Thursday, Winter of Our Discontent, all great reads. My favorite is a "play-novelette" called Burning Bright. I look forward to reading Cather based on your recommendation.