Symbol Could Be Used To Educate Emblem Of Honor The Colvilles Could Use The Powerful Symbol Of A Mascot To Teach Respect.

There are good reasons why the University of California at Santa Cruz is the only school in the nation whose mascot is the banana slug.

Banana slugs are slow, slimy and yellow.

The young eggheads attending the artsy university might not mind those strange characteristics in a mascot. But most schools and sports teams want a symbol that inspires something more than a “yuck.”

They embrace mascots that epitomize strength, courage, ferocity, tenacity and, ultimately, victory. For these reasons, Knights, Spartans, Vikings, Bears and Bulldogs are popular - as well as Indians, Warriors and Chiefs.

A mascot is an emblem of honor - not disrespect. It’s a tie that binds generations of alumni. A rallying point. Maybe that’s why Indian country is split over the issue. While some Native Americans, typically city dwellers, take offense at mascots such as Atlanta’s Braves, many gladly identify with “America’s team.”

Now, political correctness has claimed the Colville Indians - the tribe, not the high school mascot.

Apparently, the Colvilles have changed their minds about the mascot. The tribe wants the school board to change it and any other mascot the tribe finds offensive. This, after tribal members had assured the district in 1992 and 1994 that the mascot was fine.

The Washington Board of Education launched this PC sideshow in 1993 when it asked school districts to review their mascots for bias.

At the time, Coeur d’Alene tribal official Cliff SiJohn - a player on the 1963 Class B tri-county basketball champion Wellpinit Redskins - noted that Indian students had selected his school’s mascot more than 50 years ago. And he and tribal members were proud of the teams produced under the controversial mascot.

Admittedly, we find a mascot name such as Savages unacceptable; it’s a derogatory term slapped on Native Americans by European explorers. In fact, five years ago, Colville Junior High School changed its mascot from Savages to Warriors, a symbol of leadership, daring and might.

Yet, some Colvilles still aren’t happy. Incredible.

By protesting, the tribe is missing an opportunity to educate non-Indian children. Rather than use the mascot as a wedge that divides people, the Colvilles could use the powerful symbol of a mascot to teach respect for Native American ways and traditions.

, DataTimes MEMO: See opposing view under the headline: Demeaning any group is just plain rudeness

The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = EDITORIAL, COLUMN - From both sides CREDIT = D.F. Oliveria/For the editorial board