Superintendent: 'We are not giving up the mascot name fight'
ROSEBURG, Ore. -- The superintendent of the Roseburg School District says although they are holding off on filing legal action against the state board's decision on mascot bans, they are still fighting to retain the current mascots.
Dr. Larry Parsons says they released a report on Wednesday, that looked into the possibility of filing legal action against the Oregon State Board of Education, who in May of 2012 handed down the mascot ban.
The board voted to force all schools with a Native American mascot to change their moniker.
Parsons says that although it isn't feasible right now to file a lawsuit, it doesn't mean they are giving up. "It was the consensus of the board to not dedicate resources to litigate the mascot ban until we see what the legislature does," he said.
Parsons spoke with KPIC News on Thursday, saying that the lawsuit was only one option the district is exploring, and that they recognized that at this time, it wouldn't be a strong case.
He says the board is continuing to look into the situation.
If RHS has to take down that ONE SINGLEÂ FEATHER logo, then how many of the 7 FEATHERS need we take down an hour South on I-5? Seems like the NA agenda wants it both ways...having their cake and eating it too...
Moderaters here are very orwellian
I attended both RHS and DHS. Both schools had excellent admin., teachers, counselors, coaches, staff, janitors, etc. But, I much preferred being called an Indian over a Trojan.
http://www.racismagainstindians.org/UnderstandingMascots.htm
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If we must show respect to all other groups, why should we be permitted to dismiss political correctness when it applies to Native people? Why are Native people the only race of people that are permitted to be used as mascots? Interchange the name of any race with the Indians and it immediately becomes clear that we can not have teams called The Negroes, The Asians or The Jews. It is interesting to note that most mascot names were chosen, and ceremonies using the feathers, drums, and clothing were developed, from the 1920s to the 1950s. During this period of time and up until 1978 it was illegal for Native people to practice their religion. Native people could be, and often were, imprisoned for using these same items in ceremonies. Ironically, while nonnative people were using sacred objects in mimicking the Indians at sports events, Native people had to stand by and watch their culture mocked while they themselves could not participate in the same activities in a religious way. This was not an honor then, and it is not an honor today. Do we not respect the religious rights of the original people in this land because we don't understand their religions? Our lack of understanding does not minimize its importance to Native people. By using objects considered sacred by Native people for sports events, in this land based on religious freedom we continue to deny Native people respect for their religion. Because virtually the only image that nonnative children view of Native people are of the mascots, most children assume that Native people are dead or were warlike people. This stereotype diminishes the Native culture and is hurtful to many Native people.
@Whitehawk---back in the 70's they had a near-to-life-size plaster paris tee pee prop in the center of campus, used as a magnet for spray paint cans or "war paint". "GO INDIANS!" "SCALP MEDFORD!"
"Class of '78,'79, etc. rules". With such an eyesore of hooligan graffiti 2" thick of paint layers, it was no wonder we were often called the "Roseburg Rednecks".
It is getting so far out with this political  correctness that we are starting to get liberals fighting liberals. Interesting?
@souptonuts ---what will become of the "Fighting Irish" AND that LUCKY CHARMS character? Or Aunt Jemima? Any old timers remember that restaurant chain: "Little Black Sambo's" named after/associated with the chidren's story book?
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Okay, I'm Scot-Irish. To be fair, lets ban the Sheldon fighting Irish logo too. pfff. Sometimes this state .... jeez.
lets get over it! how is it hurting anything or anyone! really! america is not once what it was. now we have a bunch of crybabies when they dont like something.
Hope you take it all the way and WIN! Best of luck to you!!
@takeiteazy--- taking it all the way means our tax dollars will be tossed in the dumpsters. you want the lawyers and Bcratz to steal again? 100% of the students at RHS have INDIGNEOUS DNA. All native americans are of asian dna, some even N europe. Indig horses have not raomed wild since Wyomig 12,000 years AGO. The Indians is what we all are. All of us have Gangus/Kubilus Kan DNA too. Made it all the way to Bagdad and Moscow.
Greatest discovery the last 10 years is that blacks have less Neanderthal dna than whites or Asians (AKA native americans---so anachronistly described).
I am proud to be INDIGENOUS of the planet EARTH...so should the RHS INDIANS!!! GO DUCKS!!!Â