Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Petition urges board not to change Unionville mascot
EAST MARLBOROUGH » The Unionville Indians logo, which has graced helmets, stationery and even the gym floor at UnionvilleSchool District schools for nearly a century, may soon be just as extinct as the Lenni-Lenape Indians.
School directors will hear from a group of residents who will discuss the merits of the mascot and logo at its school board meeting Monday.
A coalition has been organized called “Save The Indian,” and a petition signed by nearly 90 people is urging the school board to set up a Citizens Advisory Commit-
tee to investigate the merits of changing the mascot and name was formed recently. The petition, drafted by local attorney Scott D. Cousins, requests the committee consist of at least one board member as well as interested residents. Cousins is not, however, counsel for the coalition. Earlier this year, a student-created and student-led Identity Council met to discuss the cultural sensitivity of using the Indian. The goal of the group was to share findings with administrators and present findings at a board meeting sometime this year. There was one meeting, but a follow-up meeting was cancelled after the story made headlines in media circles.
Now, in an effort for
transparency, district administrators are looking for facilitators who are experienced in helping communities discuss difficult issues.
“In UCF, we pride ourselves on understanding the value of expertise so we have reached out for some third-party help,” said John Sanville, Unionville-Chadds Ford School District superintendent. “The Chester County Intermediate Unit, the University of Pennsylvania, and a UHS alumnus who is a current Stanford University graduate student have all agreed to assist. These individuals will be working with student leaders to facilitate discussions among students. Twenty-first century students must be able to participate in difficult conversations – in person and online. The mentors will help the students develop the skills needed – for this conversation
and for future difficult discussions.”
Cousins said he plans to make a presentation to the board requesting the creation of a Citizen Advisory Committee to study the mascot issue, and has asked for 15 minutes to give his presentation. Public comment at board meetings is typically limited to three minutes. Cousins has formally requested a waiver of the three-minute rule but said he has yet to receive a response from district administrators.
District administrators said Cousins is not on the agenda, and they do not plan to give him any more than three minutes for his presentation.
Tom Pancoast, whose eight children went through the Unionville school system, three of whom are still
enrolled, has set up a fundraiser to help the cause.
“Why do we need to change it?” Pancoast said. “We aren’t the Washington Redskins. We are the Unionville Indians. “It’s been the mascot for over 90 years and that’s a long time without ever having a problem.”
Cousins, who also has seven children, two of whom currently attend Unionville schools, is providing legal counsel pro bono.
“What we have today is one big tribal conflict with each side wrestling and preening for the moral high ground,” Cousins said. “Diverse viewpoints might be uncomfortable for one or both parties to a debate, but that’s how to prompt further reflection, perhaps leading to the changing of minds.”
Sanville said discussions about the mascot will be part of the ongoing Unionville school tradition and will be “inclusive and transparent.” Sanville said administrators have supported the groundwork done by students interested in the mascot issue.
The mascot issue at Unionville arises at a time of political correctness as some schools and even professional sports team are considering logos and mascots that could be considered divisive.
The Cleveland Indians professional baseball team
will be removing “Chief Wahoo,” the bright red caricature of a Native American the team uses as a logo, from players’ caps and uniforms starting in 2019. The logo had been publicly protested as racist and offensive for decades but will remain on official merchandise.
A petition has been started on change.org to save the mascot. It is as https://www.change.org.
The public is invited to the school board meeting on Monday, March 19 at 7:30 in Chadds-Ford Elementary School.