Controversy Over Mascots at Ole Miss
New York Times
October 14, 2010
By ROBBIE BROWN
Colonel Reb, meet your replacement.
On Thursday, the University of Mississippi announced the successor to its former mascot, a white-goateed, cane-toting Southern plantation owner that many have criticized as racist and anachronistic. The new mascot? The Rebel Black Bear.
Supporters of the old mascot were quick to find flaws. For one, an artist’s design shows a brown bear, not a black one. The animal was chosen based on the short story “The Bear” by William Faulkner, himself a former student, in which a bear is killed. Not exactly inspiring on the football field. And how original is a bear mascot?
“There are many, many other schools with bears — U.C.L.A., Maine, Brown,” said Brian Ferguson, a 2007 graduate and the director of the Colonel Reb Foundation, a group that supports bringing back the old mascot, which was retired from sporting event sidelines in 2003. “We might as well be called P.C.U. — Politically Correct University.”
School administrators say they want to balance tolerance with tradition at Ole Miss (itself a nickname for a slave owner’s wife). The school has discouraged Confederate battle flags at football games, discontinued “Dixie” as the unofficial fight song and raised enrollment of black students to 14 percent, from 5.8 percent in 1995 (though Mississippi is nearly 40 percent black).
Fans are divided over whether the university has become more open-minded or just too conscious of its reputation beyond the South. The committee of students that picked the mascot said it hoped to avoid any racial significance in the design. One finalist had gray-colored skin because, said Margaret Ann Morgan, 19, a committee co-chairwoman, “it is a combination of black and white.”
The Rebel Black Bear won an online poll this month, with support from 62 percent of students, alumni, staff and faculty members and season ticket holders. That beat the two other finalists: Hotty Toddy (a muscular man named after the school cheer) and the Land Shark (an allusion to the football team’s “voracious” defense).
As for Colonel Reb, his fans are not surrendering. The Colonel Reb Foundation’s leaders will dress in replicas of his costume and tour the state next week, talking to members of the local news media and trying to reverse the school’s decision. “We’re not giving up,” Mr. Ferguson said. “The Rebel Black Bear is just not the tradition we’re used to at Ole Miss.”
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Shelby Hendon
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
Personally, I believe they should just stick with the old mascot. I think that either one could be just as controversial as the other. They've had the original mascot, for quite a while, and it's not fair for them to decide now that it's not acceptable. It's also not fair for the students that like the old mascot, it's not fair that they just get to decide all of a sudden that it's not an appropriate mascot. They shouldn't just up and change tradition.! That would be like, taking away our title as Knights, it just wouldn't be fair.
This is ridiculous, it looks like Ole Miss is scared of anyone who criticizes them of being racist. I like what Brian Ferguson said; "[they] might as well be called P.C.U-Politically Correct University." because if they keep going in that direction they will have to call themselves that. What are they gonna do next? Ask students to stop calling it Ole Miss because it was named after a slave owners wife? People need to chill out and not take everything so seriously.
ReplyDeleteEsteban Palacios
ReplyDelete6th Period
I am neutral in this. As long as it has nothing to do with me in school I really do not care. But if I were in that school I would actually chose the bear myself. Why? Because bears are a sign of power.
I think that the school should keep its old mascot. This is because ever since they got the new mascot, it seems like there has been a problem. They didn't only change the mascot, they changed the past and now the future. If they want to change the mascot, they should at least have one that is related to the last one so they wouldn't alter everything.
ReplyDeleteMayur Patel
Period 4
My expression after reading this selection is merely, WOW. I thought we were over the racial movements and subjects? I thought AMERICA was over it. I mean, I know that the old mascot was sort of a symbol for the college and it’s placement on the map, but sometimes old things must be replaced for something more descriptive and new. The racial arguments are merely demented and uncalled for. I personally believe that they should pick the new mascot, not only because I'm african American and find the old one offensive, but there's always room for change. And someone must have been interested if the vote to change the mascot came about in the first place. I mean freedom of speech is one thing, but completely racially profiling a subject is another. This leads me to the question of; America, have we not overcome anything in the past or are we still living in it?
ReplyDeleteKiah R.
3 period
Honestly I don't think that it matter what their mascot is because its their choice and I feel they should be able to support or have any thing that is of their decision. They should be able to express what they want and how they choose to do it. If they want to use the old mascot I think they should be able to because you never know it could be their tradition and if the want to continue the tradition they should be able to. If they want to change it that is their choice. For them to just make a random decision that the mascot title is inappropriate that dumb because if it has been around for awhile why do they just decide to change it at random. That really irritates me and I want it to just blow over.
ReplyDeleteI find this to be kind of a dumb argument between these two sides. First of all, whoever finds the mascot "racial descrimination" is not thinking straight. Just because the bear isn't the color you are doesn't mean it's racist. Second, why are people so offended by their mascot being a bear. If you don't like the mascot so much to the point of hating the school, then change schools. Last, not every university is politically correct, so why does this one have to be. Most of the students voted for what they wanted and thats what they get. All in all this is really dumb yet interesting to see what peoples minds are thinking.
ReplyDeleteI think that people are really over thinking this. Sure the old mascot may seem a bit racist, but it's a tradition, and since it's not directly hurting anyone it should be kept. Mississippi was a slave state, this mascot reminded people of that. Personally I don't think that's a bad thing. It's part of Mississippi's history and even if it wasn't the best history, it represents the state. It is the University of Mississippi, shouldn't the mascot have some significance to the state? Besides, their new mascot seems lame.
ReplyDeleteDanielle S.
ReplyDelete4th Period
I agree with Shelby. I do not understand the reasoning behind changing the mascot. There will be controversy all the time about the decisions you make that doesn't mean you change your mind each time. There may be some racism behind it but it is just a mascot. All this controversy is unnecessary.
I really think that this is unnecessary. So what if the mascot is a figure of a Southern Plantataion Owner. It is just a mascot. I think we are giving a lot of attention to an issue that is not even important. Nobody cared about the mascot until critics started talking about it. I think they just need something to talk about. And I agree with Shelby when she said that you can't just go ahead and change someone's mascot and their tradition because you don't like it. That would be like taking away the bald eagle as the symbol for America because someone thought it was offensive to bald people. I bet everyone who is complaining about the mascot doesn't even go to Ole Miss. This is silly and people are always looking for an issue to talk about.
ReplyDeleteI think that Ole Miss is being too picky about their new mascot. Why can’t they just continue have their old mascot? It is the traditional mascot of Ole Miss and tradition is a very big part of a college. If the college was founded by a slave owner, then so be it. There are no slaves anymore in America, and everyone is more or less treated fairly. Ole Miss should just keep their traditional mascot instead of basically copying other schools’ mascots with the new black bear mascot. A mascot speaks a lot of the school, and changing the school’s mascot would just show the world that the school doesn’t know what they are anymore, and that the college worries too much about image, which can be a good or bad thing.
ReplyDeleteMelvin Valimattathil
ReplyDeletePeriod 6
I do not like the mascot at all. If the mascot was a racist symbol I do not think it belongs in front of people. Especially in front of students.
Period 4
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, they should have just kept the old one. The bear just does not fit the school. Maybe if I knew the story about the bear, well then my opinion might change, but somehow I doubt it. Then there's the thing where this has been their mascot for a long time now, and they just up and decide to change it. I don't know how serious the racial accusations that caused them to change it were, but judging by what was said in the article, it was criticism, not a big problem or lawsuit or protest or anything of that nature. And, not to sound stereotypical or anything, but come on its Mississippi. That's a part of their tradition. As long as it's not an outright display of racism or slavery or confederate values, I think they should leave it.
AJ Baath
ReplyDelete6th PD
I believe that whoever came up with the idea of getting rid of the mascot is completely insane to think that it was somehow racially offending. The mere fact that someone thinks that this mascot is racist suggests that they themselves are being racist. When it comes to choosing a mascot, it should not have to be decided by racial sensitivity, it should be decided by its effect on the team.
It's unethical for Ole Miss to change their mascot. Ole Miss has been around for quite a while and their mascot is authentic and traditional. These days slavery would never even be considered not even as a last resort. Everyone is treated equally. Even if ignorant people have the connotation that the bear links to slavery it's not worth arguing.
ReplyDelete5th
ReplyDeleteThe old mascot did not make sense for Mississippi, because in their eyes there were not rebels, they were fighting for what thought was right. Although, in my opinion their beliefs were totally wrong, but in their mind they were right. There were rebels to the union, not themselves. This would automatically throw out the old one from making any sense at all. It is 2010 change your team name into something that could not be at all offensive to any of the races.
John Gann
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
The mascot at Ole Miss’ has character, like the school. This school has tradition, the flag, the name, and the mascot are part of it, you cannot erase history. You have to be optimistic in your future. One can’t dwell on what happened, and many people of all cultures are fine with the name and understand its just a name, or a mascot. If you re-write history, it will be forgotten, and no one wants cruelty and injustice in American society. Remember.
I honestly have to say, why would the school change their mascot? A school is basically known for its mascot, and its mascot tells a great deal of information on the school. So they shouldn't change it, they should be proud of what their original mascot is. Their original mascot tells a little bit of history towards the school and its power. And if they change it to bears, all it is showing is power. So I say, keep the original mascot.
ReplyDeleteJay Shah
ReplyDelete6th Period
It makes no sense of changing the mascot, but to a bear. The genius who made that must think he's so original. I mean a bear? Ole Miss is an old school, and it sounds right to say, "The Rebels have beaten the Crimson Tide 44-3." But "The Bears have beaten the Crimson Tide" doesn't sound right. That’s like changing the Texas Longhorns to the Texas Cattle or something. Also I don't believe it is racist, because the school had it for a while, and it isn't up to the students to change it. It is up to the person who made the school, who is dead. I would not change the name, because, I mean it’s not going up to an African American and making fun of them. It is their choice of they want to go to the school or not.
To be honest, I don't understand why there is so much fuss about a school mascot. How about they just make it rainbow colored so it wont be offending any races. And what is so wrong with a bear? I think the bear will be a better mascot than the plantation owner. Yes, mascots are a big deal when it comes to colleges, but if the Rebel Black Bear got the most votes that should mean something. Obviously the people like it so why bother with creating more controversy over it? I think its all about majority rules in this case.
ReplyDeleteAnn Mathew P.6
First, Chaz, you read it wrong it said the old mascot, the plantation owner one was racist, not the bear. Now, focusing on the article, it is a mascot, it is there to get the crowd excited. I can kinda understand the switch because it might have turned away potential students, but to switch it to a basic bear is stupid. I love when schools or teams have strange mascots, like the Stanford Trees or the Philly Fanatic. Those are the mascots that get a crowd excited. This switch might bring in more applicants, but it will not do much else.
ReplyDeleteYea old white "racist" colonel! Bears stink. They are so boring. Why would someone want a boring mascot? Who cares if the mascot isn't politically correct? Is it politically correct to call black people black? No, but everyone still does. It really doesn't matter, but the people who changed it should be ashamed of themselves for being such conformists.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Anderson
Period three
Jenny Chang
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
I don't think Colonel Reb appears racist. A southern plantaton owner as a mascot only shows the history of the South. Although slavery was unfair, it is a part of our history now. Without it happening, we would not know its wrongfulness nor have the equal society we have now. They should put Colonel Reb back as mascot because he has much more historical value than the bear.
I think that everyone is making it a much bigger deal than it really is. I doubt that anyone intended for anything to come across racial. They should stick to their old mascot and keep the old song. It's a school tradition and I don't think they should just change everything. Both of those things are important to the school, it shows the history and the spirit that everyone had and still has.
ReplyDeleteSean Kelly
ReplyDeletePeriod 2
Why are people making a big problem of a school mascot? I agree with Ann Matthew what do they want us to do, make it rainbow colored so it wont be offending any races? I say they just stick with the old mascot. Just get rid of the bear and take back the old one because that is tradition.
5th Period
ReplyDeleteI think the mascot should have remained the old Colonel Reb. It was a traditional symbol of the school and although it might appear racist we as a country really need to move past this. Why did they do that in the first place? To be politically correct? What is that about? The mascot is a symbol of the school so why would it need to be changed? It really should have remained as the mascot because history and tradition are values that we as a country need to hold on to. Political correctness doesn't have to be in the middle of everything that we do in this country.
I'm curious as to why the original mascot is considered racist. Its just a guy with a cane. Why should people make a big deal about the color of the bear anyway. It doesn't matter if its black or brown, its still a bear. I'm wondering why you would want to change the mascot in the first place. It resembles school spirit meaning that if you change the mascot, the school's history changes.
ReplyDeleteCharlene Sigua
ReplyDelete4th Period
I think they should have just kept the original mascot. The old mascot has a background history for the school. In my opinion, a bear doesn't really show much originality as a mascot. It would probably be the first thing someone could come up with for a new school or something. Also, this decision doesn't seem fair to the students. Colonel Reb is part of Ole Miss's history, and they should just keep Colonel Reb because of it.
Erica Barrera
ReplyDelete5th period
I think they should stick to the old mascot because it’s true. We have too many schools with bear mascots. I also don’t like the idea of changing the mascot because so many people went to that school and they knew it by a special mascot. Changing it will just upset all those graduates. I mean I would not like it if they changed Elkins mascot.
K'Vonna Johnson
ReplyDelete5th period
For the first time I think I don't really have much of an opinion on this because its stupid. If this much drama is gonna occur over a mascot then just change it back. It kind of makes you wonder what else have they thrown fits about.
Ayoub Saber
ReplyDelete4th Period
I actually did not like the idea of changing the mascots, because whoever came with that idea is totally insane. And, also I would not like it if they changed Elkins mascot like Erica said. Also I think they just kept the original mascot, because why would they change their own mascot ?
3rd period
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry but I could care less what their mascot is, but I still think they shouldn't change their mascot. If a school has been open for so many years I just don't think they should even consider that now. That's like someone trying to change the Elkins mascot. I think there would be a lot of problems with people trying to do that. All the people who left a legacy behind would be very upset if someone changed their name. I wouldn't change the mascot at all.
3rd period
ReplyDeleteI think that this is just wrong. People are calling everything racist now just because they can. Also I believe that having a brown bear is just as racist as having a white goat. They need to stand up and say enough is enough, they have changed so much but this is where they need to draw the line. Change the mascot back.
Keelie Steinke
ReplyDelete5th Period
Personally, I think that it’s stupid that there is this big of a deal over it. They should just keep their old mascot to limit all of the controversy over this. It’s unnecessary. That’s what the school has had so that’s what it should keep. There’s no reason to change tradition.
Honestly, this is a absurd argument. A school has a mascot that represents that school and the history that follows with it, it's part of what makes a school and to just change it to be politically correct is ridiculous. Just because it is not exactly correct, it should not be taken away...plus a bear? Really? There is no originality or diversity to this mascot, change it back to the original!
ReplyDeleteKaitlyn Trei
ReplyDeletePeriod 6
I don't think that this mascot is being racist at all! I think it is pretty silly to change a mascot just because it is a plantation owner. If they had to change the mascot I don't see why they had to make it a bear. I mean a lot of universities have that same mascot. I don't think that they should of changed the mascot of that university because it has so much history. I mean what do the past graduates think about this?
Katie Snyder period 2
ReplyDeleteI think that a mascot is a big part of who a school is. I can imagine it is tough for Mississippi to pick a mascot or almost do anything with out getting a little ridicule because they were such a big slave state during the slave times. I believe that we should just let it be. They really mean to racial offense. They are just trying to change to seem more politically correct, and what is wrong with that? The only problem that I have is the crazy people who are making such a big deal out of this mascot change. It is really not that big a deal. Just because it was not a requirement for the mascot to change doesn't mean you can whine about it. Not only did they allow current students to vote, but they allowed former students and ticket holder to vote as well. So obviously the majority has ruled.
So they changed the school mascot from a white-goateed, cane-toting Southern plantation owner, as it is described to a rebel black bear. It might just be me, but there's kind of a difference in these two. First of all I can see where some people might find the old mascot a little racist, but I think that people are making it a big deal when in actuality it's not. As long as the school is not acknowledge it as a racist symbol, then I think it's perfectly fine. It is good to see that some people are fighting for the old mascot to come back, because it is the mascot that has always been there. With the school having a different mascot it is just like a whole different school. It's not the same Ole Miss.
ReplyDeleteLeo Huang
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
Though it is very unethical to be racist, I believe that the University should not change their mascot. In fact, I don't think they would have changed at all. It's one thing that there are traces of racism in it, but the past is the past. Now, that plantation owner is not promoting slavery. It is now a symbol of a part of the history of America and it shows the uniqueness of the University of Mississippi.
I personally think the mascot should have stayed the same. Being that I am an African American find it hurtful that Colonel Reb was a slave owner, but that's part of history. It just goes to show how much the world has changed because, at one time a black person could not step foot on that campus. Now they make up almost half of the population. So why would anyone want to change history because its not always a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteAmita Batra
ReplyDelete3rd Period
This school has gotten so much publicity just for this one mascot controversy. Maybe this school purposely did something of this sort just for publicity and I feel like we should not give so much publicity to something as small as the changing of a school mascot. However, if this is not a publicity stunt, they should stick with their old mascot since it caused so many issues and arguments.
Mishi Jain
ReplyDeleteperiod 2
After reading this, I had two opinions on this so that means I am neutral. The first opinion is that why are the people flipping out that they changed the mascot. For goodness gracious, it is just a mascot and people should be open to change. This new mascot symbolizes how Mississippi itself has changed so much from back then when there was so much racism to now where everyone is accepting of everyone. This black bear symbolizes two different kinds of people coming together as one. On the other hand, my opinion is that they shouldn't have changed it because the old mascot has been the mascot for a very long time so people like to keep it traditional. Even though Mississippi is not a slave state anymore and that the old mascot represented slavery but that was THEN, we are in the PRESENT now where there are no slaves so the old mascot could symbolize how Mississippi has progressed from being a slave state to one that is free and accepting.
Tristan Smith
ReplyDelete4th Period
Wow these guys are really fighting about a school mascot. It just doesn't make any sense that people would spend their time on such foolishness. No offence but last time I checked a mascot was a mascot and there shouldn't racism in a school symbol. I'm not trying to be rude or anything like that, im just speaking my mind and that's just how I feel.
Marcus Levine
ReplyDelete4th period
This is just sad. All this is more post civil war paranoia, and an appeal to seem more "American". First off, IT'S A FOOTBALL MASCOT, why is anyone taking this so seriously. Second, whose idea was it to make the new mascot A BLACK BEAR...? THAT’S BROWN! Does anyone here even know what that mascot stood for, and why their called the rebels. It's because Old Miss is taking a stand to post civil war paranoia. But some guy, who is so paranoid, just turns this into the story of the century. I don't know what people are thinking these days, but sooner or later that name is going to change. The Texas Longhorns vs. The Politically Correct Bears. WHAT!!!
This shouldn’t really be a big deal until made one and someone is actually offended. Having the old mascot really shows the history of not only of the school but of all of Mississippi. Then again I wonder if I would want to go to a school founded on racism. The school is founded on old schools of thought and racist dogma so if the school wants to be respected in a modern world but lose its heritage it needs to lose the mascot.
ReplyDeleteCarolyne Lu
ReplyDeletePeriod 3
I honestly think this is a stupid argument. I mean, it's just the mascot of a college, why make such a big deal out of it? I don't want to sound rude and I understand that certain long-time supporters of Ole Miss might be against it, but is it really necessary to have an article written on it and for it to be debated? Everyone has their own opinion, and if the college wants to change the mascot then so be it. If the people who are saying this mascot or the old mascot is racist, then go speak to the people at Ole Miss.
Jade Martin
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
I think everything is being taken way too seriously. I don't think they should have changed the mascot in the first place. I guess if the student body voted and decided that they like the idea of a new mascot then it's fine. But unless the Ole Miss mascot was causing problems then they shouldn't have changed it. When things are the same ways for a while, then they become a tradition. Many people dont like change like that.
Jerry George
ReplyDelete3rd Period
Of course, things done in the past always bite people and groups right in the back sooner or later. For Ole Miss's case, it has happened several times according to the article, where they "discouraged Confederate battle flags at football games, discontinued “Dixie” as the unofficial fight song and raised enrollment of black students to 14 percent." Since they were founded under stereotypes and history back in the early 1900s, the university had been addressed with these ideas that are now frowned upon as they contain bad connotations. Personally, the mascot should have been something other than a bear, perhaps their state bird the Mockingbird, but that has already been decided. They had to comply with another necessary change, else doing nothing would hurt the university even more in the long run.
They shouldn't have changed the mascot in the first place. First of all. a bear is plain and lame. Second, people could see either mascot as racist. But if they did vote for the bear they need to get over it because it was their choice. I think it would have been cooler if they had stuck with the old mascot because he was different. My dad went to Purdue University in Indiana, and their mascot is the Boilermaker. How many other collges have a bolermaker as their mascot? Exactly. (GO BOILERMAKERS!!!)
ReplyDeleteAlthough racism is a major thing in the US, this is just going overboard. It's just a mascot and doesn't matter that much. I can see how the school wouldn't want people to think they're bad, but it's not even a racist act. Football is more about the team than the mascot and school is more about its education.
ReplyDeleteDaniel Thai
Period 5
I totally agree with Abby. I find no significant reasoning behind altering the mascot. A fixed decision must be solid which must not change on the basis of the controversies made every time. Racism cannot be avoided in this country no matter what (in my opinion); but this is just a mascot. Nevertheless all these controversies should be wholly avoided to some extent in order to maintain stability in the society.
ReplyDeleteAs I was thinking, Amita’s point struck me suddenly. Probably if the school is doing this just to catch some attention and publicity over such a minute factor we shouldn’t care about this much. We, as the public should ponder solutions for this chaos happening there but somehow try to regulate the outflowing of this case so that it doesn’t go out of hand later. Well, if this is a real problem I would probably ask them to stay with their original mascot since a lot of issues arose relating to this.
ReplyDelete3rd period
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I would like to answer what Kiah asked and say that America in general has changed but some people haven’t. I think it is simply ridiculous that someone would think a cow is racial discrimination. Think about it people, have you ever seen a black cow, If you have let me know. People just need to grow up and realize that everything is not an insult.
I think people get too hung over racism and need to move on with it. The school can pick it's mascot and everyone else will just have to accept it. It's time to move on from racism in america and start looking at more important things such as alternative energy sources. It is a color on a mascot it will not make them become a racist school because a bear is black. I think they over exaggerate it and need to deal with it or leave it.
ReplyDelete-Ryan Haines Period 2
Cortney Corley
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
Honestly, I think its stupid that they have to change their mascot because its "racist". The plantation owner mascot has been with the school since the very beginning, and it is part of the state's history. Mascots are important to a school because they help represent and bring spirit. I think its funny how they talk about a grey mascot because its both black and white. Those arent the only 2 races.
Travis Crisssman
ReplyDelete2nd period
This article really makes me mad because people are getting upset about a mascot that is from 150 years ago. I think people really need calm down and realize that it has nothing to do with race or prejudice. The mascot is based on tradition and it is that simple. I believe that changing the mascot is like taking away one of the traditions associated with the college. For example, the Catholic church is built on the tradition that only men are priests. If the church suddenly allows women to become priests because of it is viewed as sexist, then it takes away this longstanding tradition of the Catholic church.
Nick Mathai
ReplyDelete6th period
I think that Ole Miss is being too picky about their new mascot. Why can’t they just continue have their old mascot? It is the traditional mascot of Ole Miss and tradition is a very big part of a college. If the college was founded by a slave owner, then so be it. There are no slaves anymore in America, and everyone is more or less treated fairly. Ole Miss should just keep their traditional mascot instead of basically copying other schools’ mascots with the new black bear mascot.
Sean Nelson
ReplyDelete3rd Period
I think that people are making too much of a deal out of a mascot. It's just a mascot and it's been around for a while, so why are they just now changing it. The mascot is part of the school's history and if you change the mascot, then you change the school in a way. Even if you're going to change it to something else, shouldn't that be just as good or better as the first? Shouldn't it at least be what it's called? It's a black bear not a brown. This just shows where the world is going now days, and how sad we have become.
Sarah Raines
ReplyDelete4th period
They don’t want to be seen as racist so they change everything. But that fact just draws more attention to it. There is no need to change everything and be that conscious of the schools appearance from the outside. And I think it is absolutely ridiculous to purposely raise the percentage of students enrolled to the campus. There should be equality. I’m 100% for it but just because there is a majority and minority dose not mean you have to fix it. As fort the mascot I like bears so I’m for the “Rebel Bears”.
5th period
ReplyDeleteI personally think that this whole thing is becoming a big deal when it shouldn't be. Seriously, it's a goat. The confederate flags are a bit much, but it's school tradition. That's like saying the United States is racist because the flag is red, WHITE, and blue.
Emily Panozzo
ReplyDelete5th Period
I think that the mascot should have remained unchanged. The original mascot is what created the whole school's customs in the first place. By changing the mascot, all that is shown is how much some people dislike the traditions of the school. Everyone is going to have their opinions on what is right and wrong, but that doesn't stop different ethnicities from speaking a certain language or believing in some religion. I think that if someone changes the smallest details in their life just because of how other people judge it only brings your life closer to destruction. Some people might not feel so strongly but we have seen examples before like in George Orwell's, Animal Farm. So all in all, keep the mascot or lose the school.
I thing that the mascot wasn't really a big deal because its ridiculous that the school had to change their mascot. If you think it is racist then don't follow the school, its a simple solution. But on the other hand if 40% of the school is black and they believe its racist then, why did you go to the school? There is really no point in having this argument because its a school tradition and I personally believe they should get the mascot back.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm Berry
ReplyDelete5th Period
I feel that the change in the mascot was not only the correct decision but a must. The former mascot Col. Rebel was racist. He was a slave owner, and a supporter of the Confederacy, which wanted slavery. People should be outraged before this was even "noticed". As a black student it would be ignorant to go to a school with such a mascot, I would feel as though I was slave to the school rather than a student. And as another factor for support 40% of the state of Mississippi is African-American but only 14% of the school population is African-American which is very odd.
Dylan Allotta
ReplyDelete5th
Personally, I think there all wrong about it. One problem I already have is that Black people, they are not Black; and White people, they are not White. So if they had a brown bear, that would only make more sense to me. Other wise, its not a big deal. I don't think it's something that media or anyone needs to be making a big deal. However I find these articles inspiring, to me it shows that the media has less horrible thing to focus on and so they start doing reports on things like this.
I think that if a school has tradition they should stick with the tradition. If people have a problem with the mascot then don't go to Ole Miss it's non of your concern. Colleges are very tradition with everything they do from things as crazy has the Clemson team and their rock to things as simple as mascots. If you take away that mascot and Ole Miss loses one game that year the fans are going to blame it on not having the mascot. I say just stick with tradition and keep the mascot.
ReplyDeleteSamantha Martin
ReplyDelete4th period
Really? It's just a school mascot, it's not that big of a deal. Why is everyone so obsessed with being politically correct all the time? Sooner or later they are going to realize that someone is going to say something about everything they do, there is nothing they can do to stop that. I honestly think they should of just kept the old mascot being that it was a tradition and it is part of the history of Ole Miss.
Prerna Kamnani
ReplyDelete4th Period
When I first read this article, it left me with two immediate reactions. The first one was that what the big deal was about all of this. I mean it really only is a mascot. The world is not going to end if their mascot changes. My other reaction was that I don’t really think they should change the mascot. What’s the point? Again, it’s only a mascot. The mascot represents the history of Mississippi. Mississippi was part of the south and was a slave state. Nothing about that will ever change. During the civil war times, there was racism going on. Changing the mascot will not change history.
5th
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think that while yes, the mascot is on the prejudiced side, the people who are criticizing the other ideas should calm down. Yes the black bear is a little brown. So what? It doesn't hurt anyone. And plus, if no one has really taken a true look on the "offensiveness" of the old mascot yet, then what's the point in changing it? But to all those who are starting this tour of old mascot support, get over it! It is kind of offensive to those who see it and while yes, it is tradition, the fact remains that it does need to be altered in some way to no longer be offensive.
Chris Bready
ReplyDelete6th period
I think that Ole Miss should keep their mascot. It represents their school, and what has happened in their state. It is not right to take their mascot away because people in the past have dealt with it so we should do the same. That is what bothers me right now. People take everything to personal.
K'Vonna Johnson
ReplyDelete5th period
This in my opinion should be made a big deal out of because it's just a waste of time. There are other issues in the school that could be taken care of, but instead they are wasting their time on a mascot.It's just a bear so I think that they should just leave it be.
I believe that they are making a huge deal out of it when it’s really not that big. Mascots are just there for school sprit, not intended to cause a national uprising on racism. And personally I believe that they should take on the old mascot because if the alumni of the university comes back to see a bear in the place of its original old man, they would be really angry.
ReplyDeleteAman Gupte
ReplyDeleteperiod 6
What mascot to use should really depend on the school. I think that they should follow the result of the poll because the entire campus took it. I personally think that if their old mascot represented racism and slavery, then should use the bear. I don’t agree with the people who said that Ole Miss’ old mascot brought character to the school and is part of the history of the school because why would you want a negative connation to your school?
Nico Alba
ReplyDeletePeriod 2
I honestly have to say, why would the school change their mascot? A school is basically known for its mascot, and its mascot tells a great deal of information on the school. So they shouldn't change it, they should be proud of what their original mascot is. Their original mascot tells a little bit of history towards the school and its power. And if they change it to bears, all it is showing is power. So I say, keep the original mascot.
Aileen Nguyen
ReplyDeletePeriod 3
I honestly don't see a decent reason why they would want to change their mascot, but that's just me. I do find, though, that this entire controversy is completely ridiculous. If they want to change their mascot then that's their business. People really need to chill out about all this.
Samantha Tardowski
ReplyDelete3rd
I believe that the school should keep their old mascot. I think that the mascot is a big part of the school and if you change mascots now, it is like changing part of your school. I also think like the story said that the bear mascot is very common and I think that it is boring when there are the same mascots. Also if the mascot change is causing so much trouble with people then why would you change it? It will eventually cause to much trouble and that could be disastrous.
The subject of this being a racial thing is ridiculousness in itself. So what? A new mascot is all that was created. Mascots are supposed to represent school pride, not an inuendo for racial/political arguements.
ReplyDeleteAlexander Pappan
5th Period
Azim Hmedani
ReplyDeletePeiod 2
According to me the old mascot should stay. Even though people considered it to be racist the mascot represented tradition. It represented Ole Miss and if they remove that they will remove her. It’s becoming a controversy how racism is impacting people all over the world. Surly enough people are happy with the bear being brown instead of black. It reflected bears everywhere and showed the power of everyone. The people that were for it were; according to me; right. I say this simply because the bear was not wrong in anyway and shouldn’t have been changed. The black bear simply was a reflection of today’s racism and how people saw each other. Racism had become a big part of the society and keeping the old bear showed that diversity still exist.
Troy Pete
ReplyDelete4th period
I agree with Marcus its just a football mascot what's the big deal.I just don't think this is just all that really important. It does not have to do with me so I don't think it is important.
Francescha Rundle
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
Having to change a mascot just because it seems racist is just stupid. The original wasn't and still isn't hurting people now. Back then there was slavery and now there is not. So I think the mascot is the mascot. The university is just making more contraversy changing the man to a bear. Up until now, I didn't even know the mascot of the University of Mississippi, so why change it. Most people un the U.S. don't even care! (Just change the mascot to a grey alien from Mars, then everyone will be happy!)
Ervin Ricasio
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
I personally think that this is a dumb argument. The mascot is a bit racist, but I think it is because of the history of the state. Mississippi was a slave state so I was thinking that it symbolized that. This is ridiculous. We are paying too much attention about very little things. It is just a mascot. I think they should just get over, because a mascot is a person or animal that is adopted by a team or other group as a symbolic figure. As, I said before the mascot not only represents the school, but somehow it still symbolizes its own state.
Ervin Ricasio
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
I personally think that this is a dumb argument. The mascot is a bit racist, but I think it is because of the history of the state. Mississippi was a slave state so I was thinking that it symbolized that. This is ridiculous. We are paying too much attention about very little things. It is just a mascot. I think they should just get over, because a mascot is a person or animal that is adopted by a team or other group as a symbolic figure. As, I said before the mascot not only represents the school, but somehow it still symbolizes its own state.
Neethu George
ReplyDelete3rd period
I think that there shouldn't be so much controversy over a mascot. Yes, a mascot is important representing the schools. But Ole Miss should just stick to their original mascot. They shouldn't be worrying about how racist it is because it isn't.
Kenneth Pranoto 2 period
ReplyDeleteIn this article, I thought the mascot should stay for the students. It already has been a legacy for student to call the mascot OLE MISS Rebels. Why do they think everything is racist? The pass the pass and they have to move on, because now there to judge mental about racism.
2nd Period
ReplyDeleteI don't see the whole point in changing the mascot and making such a big deal out of it. I don't really think it'd make sense to change the mascot NOW. It doesn't that important. The opinions of the racism part of the mascot are pretty pointless. Compared to other controversies going on, this is more of a side conversation.
Period 6
ReplyDeleteI personally think that they should keep the old mascot. It could remind them of the past and how far we've come as a nation. Like the article say there are many schools with bears as their mascot. The old Ole' Miss mascot was unique and now they want to change that.
Gabriel Camera 6th period
ReplyDeleteI think that no school should be able to change their mascot. They should have just stayed with the same mascot, just for tradition.
I think the mascot should be changed. It is offensive and racist. To have a slave owner as a mascot should be prohibited. People say that racism is over, but this mascot proves them wrong and sets us back to MLK days. I feel as though if racism is beyond us, they should be able to get a new mascot. Plus, what is the significance of the slave owner. Is this supposed to be a threat amoungst the other teams? What is this college trying to prove? I think like slavery this mascot should be abolished.
ReplyDeleteI believe that they should stick with their old mascot because changing it would show that they are scared of critisism. I also think that there is always room for change. The old mascot is a part of history, but everyday is history. Changing the mascot would be a part of history also. But mainly I think that they should just keep their old mascot because it does not symbolize racism in any way. I have seen and experienced racism much worst than that. They have many school with white mascot and some with brown and black mascots. They even have schools with orange, green, and red mascots but you don't hear about any rascism or disagreements with those.
ReplyDelete4th period
ReplyDeleteI think they should keep the original mascot because they've had it for so long, and it just wouldn't be right to change it all up all of a sudden. Also, the mascot can't be too racist and bother that many people if they've had if for this long, if it were, some organization would've called them out when it was first established. I agree with Lloyd too, that it's a part of history.
I, for once, have no opinion on the actual mascot change. I am an Aggie fan (Gig em). Instead, my opinion is focused on all the people that find a flaw in almost everything that happens around them. Whether it being a racial problem or even a string out of place, there is always something wrong in their eyes about EVERYTHING. Those people make everything in life depressing. I mean look at the 2008 election when Barrack Obama, our first African American president wins office. The very next day people are saying “Oh well he only won because he is black and made it so far, that everyone just voted out of blindness.” HEllO. Wake up people! Maybe he won because people thought he was going to be a good president and one that kept his word. But yet it was that group of people that took all the excitement out of everything. So what I am trying to say is all those people that find something wrong to do with everything, grow up and get a life.
ReplyDeleteLogan Gloster
ReplyDeletePeriod 4
I think they are most likely going to change back to the old mascot because of everyone's strong belief in tradition. I am still unsure why they chose the black bear over their own original mascot, but I guess that they just felt they needed something new. I think it is kind of racist to wave confederate flags at football games and raise the black student enrollment even though it would be a good thing. I think they are just trying to support people who are black and attract them to the school for sports possibly.
Bailey Banks
ReplyDelete6th period
The school's mascot should not be that big of a deal, when people think of the mascot they probably do not of it as being a "slave owners wife". It shouldn't really matter those times are in the past and I wouldn't think that it would offend a person to the point where they would want the college to actually change their mascot. Changing the mascot over this issue now when it has been there since the beginning
I really do think that this is stupid. The old mascot is part of history. Get over it. The things that happened are over with. I don't understand why the school is changing its ways because people think it's racist. I am a country boy and yes I come from a southern family. I don't understand what the big deal is over this. I'm not going to say that the school is under pressure to please the fans because it's not. I don't believe that Ole Miss should have to change its ways after they have already accommodated African American people enough. They don't have to nitpick at everything until they get what they want. If the fans who thinks it's racist let them leave then because I know SEC football and there are plenty of people who could make up for everybody that leaves because they think it is racist. This is my opinion on it and I'm willing to stand by it because I think that this is wrong what they have to do. Leave the school alone.
ReplyDeleteJoel Simon
ReplyDelete4th period
It doesn’t matter if the old mascot was a Southern plantation owner.They are making a big deal of something that shouldn’t be.It is still just a mascot. There is no reason it should be changed cause the mascot is part of this state history. They have had this mascot for awhile now and there is no point in changing it.
Period 5
ReplyDeleteI think it's fine to stick with the old mascot. The mascot reflected the university's history. Although it wasn't the brightest history, it still showed something of the past. Even if we have made mistakes in the past, we would not throw away everything that once tied to that mistake. Therefore, the mascot should not be changed.
Nick Grieger
ReplyDeleteSecond Period
I believe that Ole Miss should have the same mascot, because it shows the history of the school. The new mascot would be a bear. As it said in the article, many colleges have bears as their mascot. Why not be different from the rest of the colleges and have a Southern plantation owner as the Ole Miss mascot?
Kyne Onyenze
ReplyDelete3rd Period
So these guys are getting mad because it a brown bear instead of a black bear? What’s so bad about that?! I don’t see why these people are making such a big deal about this because it’s just a mascot anyway. It doesn’t even matter if it’s brown or not. That just means that people are disrespecting the school for no reason. A mascot is a mascot and its there to show school pride. Not to be criticized.
I think that they should keep the old mascot. Ever since they changed it there had been controversy. By doing this they have angered many villagers and may which is not a good thing. They have changed the past of this school and everything in its future. If anything they should of at least ask the pubic wether they should or not.
ReplyDeletePeriod 3
ReplyDeleteIt's okay that people have their own views about racism, but racism over a mascot is just crazy. You can't say something is racist because of its color. The color of something could mean different symbols that represents that place. Just because the Texas flag has no black does not mean that Texas itself is racist.