As a former Lewis & Clark College alumnus, I am saddened by the school’s decision to replace the mascot name of Pioneer, (“Lewis & Clark announces 8 finalists for new mascot,” Sept. 3). To begin with, couldn’t the school have found better uses for its time and money than this issue? As a long-time donor, I am going to have to think about that.
I am very aware that schools at every level are changing their names because they are offensive to someone. My own high school alma mater, named after James Madison, is now Leodis V. McDaniel High School. Mascot names based on Native Americans offend some, so out they go, to be replaced by Guardians, Commanders and the like.
But names like Pioneer have many interpretations. Linus Pauling was a pioneer in science and medicine. A pioneer stands atop the Oregon Capitol Building in Salem. According to Massey Ratings there are 106 high schools, 38 colleges and five professional teams that use the Pioneer as their mascot – 149 in total. Frankly, I find the following mascot names more offensive than Pioneer, and according to Massey Ratings they are even more popular: Warriors (770), Indians (442), Vikings (399), Spartans (334), Raiders (327), Pirates (289), and Crusaders (261).
None of the eight options suggested by Lewis & Clark make any sense to me. They may as well have suggested Bulldogs, Tigers, Eagles, Wild Cats or Beavers. So why not the Lewis & Clark Anodynes? It’s a name that is sure to strike lethargy into the hearts of opponents, and it won’t offend anyone.
Ed Curtis, Beaverton