Persisting with a Correct Policy
My daughter attended a Catholic school. Somehow, when I was reviewing the school, I missed the fact that it had a Sioux mascot. [The Sioux are a large group of Indigenous tribes originally from what is now the north-central part of the United States.]
I couldn’t find anyone in the school community who thought it problematic that a Catholic girls’ school in New Orleans (Louisiana, USA) was laying claim to a Sioux identity. I was met with awkwardness and a little fear.
I asked for a meeting with the school leadership and went into it expecting to defend myself. Then I realized that they were terrified of the conversation. They explained that the mascot had been around since 1948, that the girls had had the identity since then, and that it was very important to them. They also said this would be a hard conversation to have with the alumnae, and the alumni fund the school. In other words, “Kindly go away."
I decided that a lengthy, possibly decade-long conversation about cultural appropriation would be more fruitful than walking away. I launched a multi-year campaign and worked the discussion into conversations at birthday parties, assemblies, and parent meetings. And I had not a single ally—not one parent, teacher, or administrator would publicly stand with me.
Over the years I continued to meet with the administration and the alumni association. I continued to not let my daughter participate in Sioux activities. Each year I explained to her teachers why our family had to abstain from that cultural norm. I wrote a lot of letters.
My main talking points were that it was immoral and fundamentally un-Christian to be indifferent to the horrors of the genocide committed by white people, and specifically white Catholics. I wrote that if we are to take Christian education seriously, we must ask ourselves the fundamental question, “Does this teaching inspire peace and justice?” and if the answer is no, then the teaching does not belong in a Christian school. I offered the perspective that we, as Catholics, have the skills and obligation to take right action. It is within our culture and faith to evaluate our trespasses, say them aloud, ask forgiveness, and take corrective penitent actions.
SUCCESS
The school announced a month ago that at the end of the 2019–2020 school year, they will retire the school mascot. I know this is because of me. When I read the announcement, I could see how my words had inspired the action.
It would be easy for me to feel that this is a small win, but I will take it in differently. Because I decided not to leave my people and instead act, future generations of young women will not be encouraged to assume someone else’s identity. They will not be asked to defend genocide. Because of me, they will have a better story about themselves. Because I stayed and had the conversation, dozens of people will not be able to escape the new information rattling around in their heads about our history with Native people.
That last paragraph required some discharge to write. As Catholics we are encouraged to be modest and self-deferential. We don’t often get to take credit. We stay small in the presence of God. However, we can’t afford to think of ourselves as unimportant. Our only hope of disassembling organized systems of oppression is to believe deeply in our significance.
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Reprinted from the RC e-mail discussion list for leaders of Catholics
(Present Time 198, January 2020)