As we celebrate the Fourth of July this weekend, commemorating the beginning of The United States of America, we wanted to point out how much we can learn from history.
Early on as the congress started, the government wanted to establish a school northwest of the Ohio River. In 1809 Miami University was established in Oxford, Ohio, otherwise known as the Miami Valley. The name Miami and the logo of an indian used by the school came from the Miami Tribe, which resided in the area until 1846. After that, the tribe was moved to the Indian territory-located in Oklahoma.
In the early 1900’s Miami University adopted the nickname Redskins that stood for 70 years. In 1997 the board of trustees changed the nickname from the Redskins to the Redhawks because the Redskin name was thought to be racist towards the tribe in Oklahoma.
As a student at Miami during the 90s, the subject became the topic of conversation around campus and in my sociology class. The talk centered around the question of was the name demeaning to the tribe and what did natives from the Oklahoma tribe really think about the decision.
Many in class spoke up about their feelings but no one was able to speak for the tribe. Ironically, I sat next to a tribe member from Oklahoma in class who did not want to be singled out, but was there to listen. She told me she appreciated having a full scholarship to the university and had no issues with the name being used. She went on to tell me that the fact that the tribal dances that were performed during half time of the football games were in concert with the tribal guidelines, down to the headdress and clothes worn, was looked upon by tribal elders as a way to celebrate their heritage.
So the question still remains, should the mascot name been changed? We don’t think so.
We understand getting rid of the Redskin name and symbol of the Miami Tribe takes it out the public eye but it doesn’t change how the school started.
What it did do was make the original logo and nickname more valuable to alumni. I recently checked on what Redskin apparel was selling for on the open market and found out I have a trash can in my office that is now worth $495 because it has the Redskin name and logo on it.
We don’t condone racism and think there is no place for it but we also think just having a new name actually eliminates a teaching moment so those in the future see what could have been done different.
Overall what’s done is done and the university is still recognized for its academics to this day, some even calling it the Harvard of the Midwest.
Our point is that changing the Redskin name or something like John Wayne Airport, removing a statue of Christopher Columbus or even taking down Mount Rushmore, is a short term idea that doesn’t solve issues that have been going on in this country since its founding in 1776.