In a ludicrous act of ignorance and stupidity, once again the Senators are wasting their time and our tax money on the names and mascots of football teams around the nation. Would it hurt anyone to make the Savages Politically Correct and change the mascot to some cute little prairie dog? No, but then the next team of idiotic political wanna-bes will be complaining about the illegal use of the prairie dog image.
Can we get real for a moment?
There are serious ILLS in the world that need to be repaired. Our senators and congressmen, governors and presidents have better things to do with their time than be offended by the name of some high school football team. If they don’t, they’re wasting our time and money and should find themselves a real job. The article in the Denver Post portrays the teams as the offender when in reality, there’s a different problem going on here.
Those wonderful Native American peoples who assume representation by the name “Savages” have missed out on the positive views of the Savages. The mascot view of a Savage is that of a warrior, strong, sure and bold, taking in his hand the ability to overcome limitations and difficulties to make life better for himself and his people. He’s a fighter for what he believes. He’s a winner.
When Crystal Sallee Terrell brought to my attention this incredible act of selfish insecurities, I realized that there are bigger issues here than what a football team calls or recognizes as their mascot. These misinformed persons lack the initiative to pursue the whole perspective, instead they choose to take personal offense at the use of a name and mascot. Are the insecure and lacking self esteem or personal integrity? Do they really NOT understand that the SAVAGE Lamarites relate to has a power and strength, inner integrity and resourcefulness that reflects the priorities of the Indians who first settled the area, the Spaniards who claim to have conquered the land, and the Pioneers who later took advantage of the prosperity available here in Southern Colorado.
There is nothing defamatory or derogatory about the Savage name or mascot. There is however, something wrong with political representatives of the people of this fair community and state, wasting our tax dollars barking up the politically correct tree to bite themselves in the butt during a political election year to ridicule such a fine upstanding brand as the SAVAGES has become for the Lamar School District. Not only should the people of Lamar be standing up, voicing their dislike of politicians wasting our tax dollars, but they should be fighting mad or Flippin PISSED as Crystal stated on her facebook page, that our elected officials are wasting their time on such insignificant and ludicrous stupidity as changing the name of our community ICON.
If every time an individual feels offended, the rest of the world has to become so politically correct as to not offend that person, there will never be peace or rest in the world. We’ll all be too busy trying not to offend anyone to get anything of real importance accomplished. What ever happened to people taking some serious responsibility for their own emotional reactions to life?
Visit Jan Verhoeff for more commentary on the idiocy of choosing to feel offended by the actions of others.
IF Ben Nighthorse Campbell chooses to be offended by the name of our football team or the team mascot, that would be HIS problem, not mine.
You’re right on one account– There ARE serious ills in America, and RACISM is one of them. The root of many of the “major” ills you speak of is this arrogant, ignorant world view— that nobody should be bothered about the mascot, cuz you all in the SE corner of CO certainly aren’t. Hmmm…
The term “proud savage” is a misnomer, a hoax, etc— go to the universties all over the US, and you will see classes being given on how degrading that term is to Native Americans.
I grew up in Lamar, played sports, etc. To educated people who have left and now know what it is to be sensitive to the generational soul wounds of other peoples, the Lamar mascot is embarassing at best, racism for real.
Sorry to step on the toes of anyone “famous” or some sports fanatics (oh, and football isn’t the only sport carrying the savage mascot out of the twon for all to see) in Lamar (believe me, I have before and am fully expecting you to lash out like they did), but there are some things that are worth fighting for, and this is one of them. Racism is alive and well in Lamar. The culture in Lamar is very racially inflammatory, though I didn’t see it until I left and came back. I was shocked– sort of like seeing a movie you haven’t seen in a long time, then watching it with your kids and realizing how much cussing there actually is in it…
We moved back there for a time and then moved away again a few years ago because of the small views folks tend to take down there.
It is NOT ok to pair a picture of a Native American with the word “savage.” Go look it up in Webster’s and see how “proud” that would make a real Native feel.
Tami,
I too have left Lamar and returned. I never said anything about racism in Lamar. I did say that the “Savages” is not a racism title or name. There’s nothing racist about the team moniker/or school mascot.
Once again, the issue is not racism. It’s about someone choosing to be offended by a title. There is nothing about the Savages to offend anyone. I’m not even a football fan (although I do occasionally watch a football game) and the name isn’t offensive, because I don’t believe there’s anything about the mascot or moniker that has anything to do with me.
Perhaps those who are struggling with the idea that they’ve been offended by the mascot should actually take responsibility for their own emotions and STOP blaming others for something others can’t do. It must be rather exhausting always feeling the way others MAKE you feel.
Jan
I admire the fact that McKinley is willing to support the MAJORITY of SAVAGES, which if this bill were to pass, would directly effect. I however remain stern that we, TRUE SAVAGES must remain outspoken and steadfast in our journey as well as continue to build support for our own belief that the SAVAGES of LHS our SAVAGE mascot is one of a Proud, … See MoreHonorable, Beloved, Dignified, Strong, Dominate, Spirited, and all together Highly Respected Mascots among our public & charter schools statewide and thereby should in no manner ever be forced to change or obtain approval from any outside jurisdiction, association, group or organization. Any day I would magnify our SAVAGE mascot & place it upon the highest of pedestals because our treasured mascot not only is represented by the RE2 School District – Lamar High School but also symbolizes the many trials & triumphs each and every student has faced passing through its doors over decades & decades, everyone from the Football player to the Debate team member, from the Academic Art Major to the students among special education classes & those with disabilities whom as a group together account for the reason many become inspired to dream a dream & live a life worth living. Our SAVAGES come & go through the halls of LHS with many aspiring dreams, dreams that have been fulfilled with inspiration lingering from their time spent at Lamar High School … going on to become pro-baseball players, members of top notch girls college basketball teams, the state qualifying wrestler who later becomes a high school teacher then a wrestling coach passing on technique & desire to be the best all the while representing your school with pride & dignity with TRUE SAVAGE SPIRIT. I can only hope that our unity as a community, as SAVAGE ALUMNI, LHS Teacher & Staff, and of course todays LHS SAVAGES … the classes of 2010, 2011, 2012, & 2013 as well as the future classes of 2014 & beyond, demonstrate to others that our SAVAGE Mascot is revered as glorious symbol of a school, students, teachers, coaches, staff, community, booster club, parents, grandparents, and all extended family & friends whom for one reason or another will always stand tall and continue to show strength & solidify support for LHS SAVAGES whether it be one student, a team, the entire school, or those past & present SAVAGE ALUMNI. As for those with ill attitudes and misconceptions as to what upholding the Savage Mascot & what it means to the rest of us SAVAGE supporters … well as with everything they are certainly entitled to their opinions which is most likely based on their own dictionary terms they present or them harboring some resentful animocity from some tragic or ill fated experience suffered while in high school … all I have to say is Grow The Hell Up … stop lashing out at others & take a good look at yourself … Maybe you will see what everyone else does & that is … you are the pessimist always looking at the negative … the Glass Half Empty person. Go clean up your porch before you go trying to pass judgement on others ….. Kuz believe me … Im not the only one who has seen your direct insults on others. Im simply saying you need to do your own self assessment … Go do some soul searching of your own … Maybe then you will realize there are far greater hearts in support of Saving Our Savages!!!
Just as with everything, just like with the Native American People… no one likes change, no one likes to be forced to change, Most of all – when forced the nature of people is to fight to prevent the change that is forced upon them — HOWEVER, I believe that through understanding and knowledge – change can be worth while and easy.
I honestly believe that if more individuals would approach this issue through understanding and knowledge – the issue would work itself out on its own.
Rather than trying to pass laws or by using political or racial means – they should try a little education.
I believe that the best thing to do would be to have the students of Lamar HS learn about Native American culture, their struggles, their history… visit Sand Creek, have representatives from different organizations come and talk to the students about their beliefs… BECAUSE – by doing this, I believe that it will be human nature for those kids to make an educated decision to revamp, modify or change the mascot ON THIER OWN!!! Not by force, not by passing laws, not by anything else but through their own free will!!!
Rather than having these organizations (who want these mascots changed) lobby and complain to our legislature – why don’t they visit and teach our students and try to create a better understanding and if that doesn’t work then pursue other avenues. But in all my many years in Lamar, I do not believe that there has been ONE organization, group, tribe, council, etc… that has approached Lamar School District asking for an opportunity to talk or teach!
Tolerance works both ways – and tolerance comes from education and respect for one another and each others differences!
wow…really ppl… savage is a terrible word.. i am native american and i hate it when non natives say its not offensive…it is….its not offensive to you guys because there not talking bout your people or our family…how would it feel for your race to be protrayed as a idem…or as negative….savage doesnt mean nothing compared to a warrior you jan states in this article..talk to a real native american and get your definion on savage…..if u wana honor us dont use us as a mascot..words like warrior and cheif are more honorable but onyl if us natvie americans use it not some non native….get it right.