MPHS students should have say on Tomahawk mascot

I was surprised to hear that tribal leaders voted to allow the Marysville Pilchuck High School’s Tomahawk mascot to remain (“Tulalip elders vote to keep Tomahawks mascot in Marysville,” The Herald, Dec. 8)

Since I have lived in Marysville for over 45 years I know that the tribal students have been the victims of many racial attacks because of the use of the Tomahawk symbol throughout the years. Most of those tribal council leaders must remember how it felt to be treated the way that their youth are still being treated today.

The Tulalip youth that are attending MPHS now and the tribal students of the future deserve to be heard concerning this matter. Not only that, but they should be a part of the committee to find a more suitable mascot for their school.

I do not think that the changing of the mascot will stop the racism that does exist in Marysville but it will send a message that racism is not an acceptable behavior and that it will not be tolerated in any form. I do hope that the tribal leaders will stop to reconsider their decision concerning the use of the Tomahawk name.

It may seem like a small matter to some people but the Tulalip youth deserve to be treated with respect. The changing of the mascot name will show that their option does matter because they are living the really of this decision every day.

Carol Olsen-Whitney

Marysville