Diner party creates controversy

“Cowboys and Indians” event set ahead of court case

On the eve of an anticipated court decision about Cambridge’s school mascot, a diner in the heart of town is throwing a “Cowboys and Indians” costume party.

The Country Gals Café throws a costume party every month. In April, the theme was “The ’80s,” according to its Facebook page. But the theme and timing of this one has plaintiffs who filed the initial complaint about the mascot saying it’s proving their point.

“Interesting, given the mascot issue and how people swear it’s ‘respect,’” said plaintiff Alex Dery Snider.

A person who answered the phone at the cafe briefly said the party had nothing to do with the mascot fight. The person asked the Times Union to call back for further questions, but no one could be reached Tuesday.

Those who want to keep the school mascot, an image of an Indigenous person called “the Indian,” have argued that it is an important way to respect the community’s roots and remember Indigenous people who once lived in the area.

Those on the other side have said the desire to keep the mascot is a symptom of racism and encourages people to remember Indigenous people only as a stereotype from long ago, not as real people.

The diner’s party features menu items including “Custer’s last veggie lasagna” and “Crazy Horse chuck wagon chili,” as well as sandwiches named for Pocahontas, who was captured by English colonists in Jamestown, and Sacagawea, who helped lead the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Col. George Custer led an attack on a sleeping village of Cheyenne, who were living legally on a reservation as required by the United States government. His troops slaughtered unarmed women and children.

Years later, the United States invaded the Lakota reservation in the Black Hills after gold was discovered on the land.

Cheyenne and Lakota, with leader Crazy Horse, killed Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Custer attacked them, not realizing he was badly outnumbered.

The diner’s party is Saturday. The decision from the state Supreme Court is expected in mid-may and could be announced on Monday, according to attorneys arguing the case.

The school district has argued that it’s not fair for the students to lose their mascot while many other schools in the region have similar names, but with lessobvious imagery. Observers have said they expect the controversy will force the state to take action.

The school district is appealing a state Education Department order that requires the district to get rid of its mascot. In a ruling last year, education Commissioner Betty Rosa said that the school’s controversial insignia and mascot must be retired by July 1.

A state Supreme Court justice said she would speed up deadlines in the appeal so a decision on the legality of Rosa’s order could be made by mid-may.

The state Legislature has drafted three bills related to the situation. One, which would ban public schools from using a native name, logo or mascot unless the school is run by a Native American tribe, has been amended several times this session and is still under consideration.