TURNERS FALLS — As the discussion continues surrounding the possible review of the Turners Falls High School’s mascot — currently the Indians — community members have circulated online petitions as a way to garner support and gauge interest on both sides of the argument.
A second petition, this one in support of the Turners Falls High School changing its mascot, was started Sunday morning by those calling for the Gill-Montague Regional School Committee to change it because of concerns of racist imagery and stereotyping of Native Americans. Those in support of changing the name say arguments surrounding the tradition are not enough to keep the name.
“Those of us who are calling for the change in the mascot have an understanding of tradition,” the petition reads. “Segregated schools and Jim Crow laws in the South were a ‘tradition.’ Derogatory names used for Asians, Latinos and many other races of people were part of a tradition as well. Just because it is a tradition does not make it right.”
The high school and the village are named after Capt. William Turner, who led troops into the battle where 300 Native Americans were killed on the ground that is now Turners Falls.
Those in favor of changing the mascot have argued that, given the historical context, it isn’t appropriate for a high school named after Turner to have the “Indians” as its mascot.
“While we understand that this mascot has the intention of honoring the indigenous and native tribes who were massacred in The Battle of Turners Falls, research and education has shown that it is not the case,” the petition, posted on Change.org, reads.
The petition had more than 70 signatures by Sunday night. The petition also noted that since 2001, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has called for an end to the use of Native American images and nicknames in sports symbols.
This petition follows one earlier in the week by those advocating to keep the mascot. That petition, started by Turners Falls alumnus Jeremy Dillensneider, now has more than 840 signatures.
“We are trying to get a measuring of how many people are interested in it and show that to the School Committee,” he said.
Both petitions are in response to a plan introduced during the Sept. 13 School Committee meeting. The plan is a mascot review process that would essentially open debate on the subject. The plan has yet to be voted on or approved by the School Committee, but approving the plan does not necessarily mean the mascot will change.
The plan was crafted by School District Superintendent Michael Sullivan and School Committee Chairman Mike Langknecht in response to community concerns presented to the board at a meeting in May.
Both petitions say they will be presented or sent to the School Committee, which meets next on Sept. 27.