Posted Feb 15 at 5:55 PM
apropos of nothing, a number of years ago, promises were made to students in Blacksburg that if they were diligent in their research, that the site-based decision about the high school mascot would stand. Lots of work went into talking to people, researching the history, and gathering information from many sides and sources. There were public sessions and all views were heard. There was lots of praise for how the "Indian" was portrayed, not as a stereotype, but as someone who was strong and brave and who put up a good fight -- ideals that people were looking for in athletic competition. The site-based decision was made to keep the mascot. Problem was, that didn't sit well with some school board members and they went back on their word to those students and did an end-around on them. A county-wide policy was adopted banning mascots that could be deemed offensive or hurtful or any other politically correct terms that pretty much narrowed down the focus of the policy to be applicable to Blacksburg High School. The students rightly cried "foul!" but had little recourse. The hurt and anger is still evident in all ages of Indians even seven years after the mascot was replaced by the bruin -- just check out the comments on the new Facebook page about the death of the BHS gymnasium. While a lot of the comments are tongue in cheek, there is a measure of truth and anger in them. Granted, this is only a handful of students in the photography club, but it doesn't take much to lay the groundwork for mistrust of adults and government. If they get screwed now by the poobahs of Christiansburg, what is their impression going to be down the road? Think they will be enamored of their hometown after college? Think they will want to move back here to start a family and be upstanding citizens?
Personally, I am part Cherokee. I grew up in a town where the local university had Indian mascot. I attended a lot of FSU games and watched the Seminoles. I do not find it offensive. I think the change in the mascot was pretty silly from my perspective. But, now, hearing that promises were made and not kept....well....that's a different beast all together. If you can't or have no intention of keeping a promise, then don't make it. It's about the same with that "I won't raise your taxes" garbage. Yeah, right, you won't, but you'll cut funds so that my County, Town and/or City will have to increase taxes. At the same time, you'll increase fees and take money designated for other uses. Word play is just another form of lie.
Posted Feb 15 at 8:10 PM
Apropos for everything, Mr. Hokie failed to mention the people making those promises weren't in a position to back them up. They didn't have the authority, and many, many speakers (including students) spoke both for and against a change when it went to the School Board. This included kids that didn't like hearing they were "natural athletes" because they had been bred for it. That initial flaw in community expectations was the fault of the school principal and is as valid in this blog as connecting another principal to allowing a child predator to retire instead of being charged (said predator moving to another state to continue abusing children). Trust, authority, community responsibility and taking action for the long term good even when it is not unanimous is quite different than the Mayor asking students to take on a task, making a simple and easy to fulfil promise and then abandoning them. But there's the pattern, or roadmap if you will, for creating disenfranchised voters in Christiansburg. Rinse, repeat, recycle as necessary. Bringing in the Indian mascot issue to Christiansburg council breaking promises only makes readers wonder about high school principals not having principles. Joe, you jumped the shark here.
Posted Feb 15 at 10:29 PM
"I won't raise your taxes ... but cut funds ... At the same time, increase fees and take money designated for other uses. Word play is just another form of lie." I agree, absolutely. A government shell game between Virginia General Assembly, County/Cities and Towns. Time for hard data and plain speaking so informed choices may be made, backed up by action instead of empty (or costly) promises.
Sunshine Week is nice....but sunshine everyday is what it is really all about. It is about people watching, questioning, and demanding answers. When governments work hard to keep people in the dark, it is up to the people to bring in the light! Not just one week out of the year, but every single day of every single year.