Strategy to Remove Mascots

2/23/01

It is possible to resolve a mascot matter by first approaching the lowest decision making professional possible (i.e. principal, superintendent, coach). When approaching the lowest person with authority first it is good to not only encourage their willful participation, but also find a way to meet their immediate needs which often involves their unfounded fear of losing their position, such can be related to employment or perceived status in the community or both.

While it is our desire to gain willful cooperation it is also good to be prepared to immediately take the effort to the highest level if the initial contact is not successful, which is generally the superintendent if the person has been in the position over seven years. As a word of caution most school boards are made of people who, while well meaning, are also subject to public pressure, especially loss of perceived popularity which could result in failure at the ballot box, for many the position on a school board has a strong emotional attachment, this is clearly evident in most districts as many board members serve without the possibility of compensation.

I prefer, in a new matter, to have everything ready to proceed at all levels before making the first official contact, by having everything ready,"everything" would include all packets with all information necessary to help resolve the matter, at this point a profile, including developing spheres of influence on all decision makers and anticipated mascot supporters. In this regard it is important to identify people with influence over decision makers as well as those under the immediate influence of the decision makers.

Since many people in positions of authority enjoy a more than well developed ego, it is beneficial to determine how to stroke their ego to gain their support, making the idea to scrap the "Brave" their idea and giving them credit for this decision is one avenue which can go a long way to encouraging their willful decision to do what is right.

If the carrot on the stick method does not work at first be prepared to increase the intensity. In this regard nothing is barred, in that it is possible to bring pressure to bear on decision makers through spouses,children and other relatives we need to use all available contacts that can developed. In this regard prior to making contact with top level decision makers it is good to first develop relationships with those who can influence their decision making, in this regard the initial contacts should not involved mascots, but should involved matters, issues or concerns that your profile will indicate are fertile ground from which to plant seeds.

Among the first people I seek to educate, other than the district's attorney, about the evils of mascots, is the district's insurance agent (if possible I include the underwriter ). Insurance agents are important as the first thing I like to do is remove the districts ability to prosecute a well funded legal defense if the time comes, and with the above steps taken, it is possible to allege the acts related to the mascot are intentional because the retention of the offensive mascot is retained only through an intentional act. Under many insurance policies intentional acts remove the possibility of insurance coverage which will force the district to face the cost of defense and any associated losses through other means.

In one matter involving the selection of mascots for a couple youth hockey teams we had all the materials to go as far as necessary at the first meeting, after this was laid out the mascot supporters folded, in my opinion, based on what I have seen, this as the rule rather than the exception, in large part because few people identify with anything to the degree to sacrifice for their beliefs. Where a mascot matter has existed for a while and support to retain the mascot has developed, it is frequently beneficial to pull back for a couple of weeks and reorganize, develop as many of the original "tools" as will work and start anew, proceeding as above and not be afraid to play all the cards at one time.

Starting a group(s) for future use with good sounding names, such as "Save the Brave" can cause confusion among the pro-mascot supporters because"saving" the "brave" inspires the notion the group would support retaining the mascot thereby causing confusion within the ranks of pro mascot supporters. In matters related to human based mascots the name, as in this regard, can just as well mean setting him free from ridicule and abuse, and setting his spirit free from the intimidation and shame that follows human based mascots.

If entities, such as community entities, actively support the retention of a mascot to reduce their effectiveness and resolve a prime avenue of direction is to involve the IRS in challenging their tax exempt status if they are a501(c)(3), since people are jealous of their tax exempt status this action can be used to deter their involvement in supporting offensive mascots, in addition pressure can be brought to bear on their national entities as many have adopted statements opposing the use of mascots involving race and ethnic identity including names and depictions.

Above all, if there is to be any "ugliness"or hostility it should come from those supporting offensive mascots, while I strongly advocate playing hardball, as strongly I advocate never burning a bridge in your community because when everything is said and done the goal of schools is to educate, and we should not sacrifice our integrity, or the education of children by introducing hate politics, this includes the manner in which we draft all post resolution press releases because statements that are healing, conciliatory and supportive of officials taking the right steps helps heal the community, as well as serving to encourage other individuals and districts to follow suit.

Some have mentioned we need to hate those to hate. I see no difference in hating those who hate than with a person expressing concern about the risk of smoking cigarettes in a room full of leaking gas cans as they prepare to light a pipe. Hate is hate, and hate is not a trait we should further, for any reason. When everything is said and done we should be known as having been honorable in our efforts.

Good luck in your efforts.

Charles Yow

NAHI