I am writing to you all in response to keeping the Turners Falls Indian name and logo. Yes, logo, it is not a mascot as I hear so many people are saying.
I was born and raised in Turners Falls. I am a 1978 graduate of TFHS, and my mother, sister, and three uncles, and many cousins are graduates of TFHS. The Indian name is a name of pride, honor, courage and commitment, sportsmanship, not a slur or racist word. And was never used as such. We are not bullies. We do not have a mascot. We never made fun or dressed as Indians.
To take away the name Indians and to take away our logo would only take away from the Indians who lived and died on this land. To erase that the Indians were ever here. That they did not exist and that would not be right. To take away our history! The people that want this gone, to say we are racists, they are the ones who want to take away the American Indian image and name. They want the Indian name and image gone because it is offensive to them. Not to us, the supporters of the Indian.
Please consider very carefully about the decision to take away not just from the alumni of TFHS, but the Indians who we proudly stand for. It would be a shame to take it away. We are not ashamed of the Indian or the logo. Unfortunately, I cannot attend the meetings as I live in another state, I lived in Turners Falls for 24 years and went to serve my country for 20 years, just know that I would be there to defend my school’s name and logo.
I still consider Turners Falls my home of record. We will always be the Turners Falls Indians with pride, confidence and honor, not offense. Please allow the people who are supporting to keep this the same rights, respect and time to voice their opinions just like the ones who are against it. To do so otherwise is wrong. We love our town, our people, our school and our football! we cannot let them take away the history. When will it stop? Do our opinions count?
Laurie J. DeNofrio-Almodovar
TFHS Class of 1978
Orange Park, Fla.