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If There Really is Offense

There has been a steady trickle of comments in these columns concerning the use of the “Indians” name and logo, all of which have advocated for a change. There seems to be a feeling that the use of the name is somehow offensive to native people but, while some of us choose to be offended by anything and everything, is this generally true?

It should be obvious that such an identity was not chosen for negative reasons, but to honor and emulate the strong and noble qualities that native peoples are perceived to have, and perhaps to create a living link to the past.

While personally I have no dog in this fight as my children are long out of school, I see value in retaining our history, and no change now can make up for terrible things done many years ago. It seems these days we must continuously walk on eggshells for fear of causing offense, and it appears that we suffer from collective guilt syndrome and choose to keep scraping open wounds rather than letting them heal.

I was recently in conversation with an acquaintance with strong “Indian” roots and connections with that broader community. On this subject she was adamant that within her circle it is believed that no offense was ever intended, nor was any ever taken.

Of course, if we do find there really is offense being taken, we should defer judgment to the affected community.

Dave Roberts

Guilford