When panel finally revamps state symbol, can ‘Massachusetts’ be far behind?
Does Massachusetts need to change its “racist” name?
Or will a new state seal, flag and insignia do?
A special state commission appointed to study and recommend a new state symbol and motto apparently cannot make up its mind.
It recently asked the Legislature, which approved its creation, for a third extension to complete its work and file a report.
Signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker in January 2021, the commission is charged with revamping the state seal found on state documents, flags, state vehicles and elsewhere throughout the Commonwealth.
Many progressives in this politically correct era find the state symbol to be discriminatory to Native Americans, if not outwardly racist.
The seal, which dates back to 1780, portrays a Native American with a bow and arrow beside him. The crest above him displays an arm holding a sword as though it is ready to strike. The motto in Latin translates to “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.”
Upon the signing of the bill, Elizabeth Solomon of the Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag, said the imagery on the seal and flag “promotes a history of conquest, appropriation and genocide.”
If the seal is determined to be racist or discriminatory toward Native Americans, what about the name Massachusetts, which also derives from native Americana?
The move to change the seal and the flag began decades ago by former state Rep. Byron Rushing of Roxbury. It slowly picked up steam and was finally pushed over the finish line by Rep. Nika Elugardo, a Rushing successor.
Upon its passage, she tweeted, “For over 35 years the leaders have asked the MA Legislature to re-examine the shameful elements of our state flag and seal.” She said the Legislature stood “on the shoulders” of Rushing.
The commission is made up of four members appointed by Baker, five members appointed by the Commission on Indian Affairs and other appointees from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the Massachusetts foundation for the Humanities.
While the long delay in creating the commission took place, the Legislature regularly approved symbols of the state ranging from the state bird (chickadee) to the state historical rock (Plymouth Rock).
Only last week the Senate advanced legislation naming Podokesaurus holyokensis as the state’s official dinosaur.
The fossil remains of the lizard were discovered near Mt. Holyoke in 1910.
Other approved state symbols include the state fish (Atlantic cod), the state cat (tabby cat), the state game bird (turkey), the state song (“All Hail to Massachusetts”), the state polka (“Say Hello to Someone from Massachusetts”) and the state poem (“Blue Hills of Massachusetts”).
And, speaking of the Blue Hills, commission members might want to consider changing the name of Massachusetts.
In an example of cultural appropriation, Massachusetts took its name from a tribe of Native Americans who lived in a section of the
Blue Hills just south of Milton called Messatossec. It was an Algonquin word that translated as great hills. This somehow morphed into Massachusetts.
Since it has become appropriate to strike the names of Native American tribes from professional football teams, colleges and high schools — and frequently replace them with the names of birds or dogs — it might be appropriate to strike the name Massachusetts.
If renaming the state Messatossec does not work, the commission could consider other options.
It could post a list of proposed names for a public vote, like on a ballot question.
The proposed new names would be Commonwealth of Codfish, for instance, or Bay State, or Commonwealth of New England, or Old Colony, or Blue Hills, Commonwealth of Pilgrims, or Puritans, or the Baked Bean State or, my favorite, the Commonwealth of Middlesex.
If the commission were bold enough, it could recommend calling the state the Commonwealth of Taxachusetts. That surely would win in a landslide.