‘Now is the time.’ Bellefonte school board members voice support for replacing Red Raiders mascot
Three Bellefonte Area School District board members voiced support Tuesday for replacing the district’s “Red Raider” mascot.
The push to replace the image of a Native American wearing a headdress and its accompanying moniker is a “major concern,” board member Rodney Musser said during a meeting.
“There is never a good time for this, but now is the time,” Musser said. “... The mascot should be inclusive, demonstrate camaraderie, community spirit and be welcoming.”
Debates about the mascot and logo have happened sporadically for at least two decades, but Musser said each of those efforts were brought up in an “insignificant manner.”
The online petition organized earlier this month by six alumni and signed by more than more than 2,300 others is more influential, Musser said.
He proposed students participate in the discussion so borough residents can support a mascot “that actually represents us,” Musser said. Board member Kristen Bruckner said she supported Musser’s proposal “110%.”
“I firmly believe that it should be the students that work together and come to a solution that is inclusive of everyone,” Bruckner said.
The discussion about inclusion and anti-racist efforts goes “beyond the mascot,” board member Mark Badger said.
Residents may be educated about the historical significance of the Red Raider — which was first introduced in 1936 — but not the socioeconomic or cultural issues it presents, he said.
“It’s time for us to make sure that we take a deeper dive into the curriculum (and) see what more can be added to teach kids at all levels what the impact of these events can have on everybody,” Badger said. “That is going to be an evolving thing that we do, but it’s really important if we are going to give the kids the best educational experience that they could.”
Neither board President Jon Guizar, Vice President Jeff Steiner nor members Julie Fitzgerald, Max Kroell, Donna Smith or Kimberly Weaver discussed the mascot.
Several residents spoke against changing the mascot, including 1984 graduate Jack Bechdel. He organized an online petition signed by more than 4,000 others to keep the mascot.
The “Red Raider” is a symbol of strength and loyalty, Bechdel said.
“It was never about race. We don’t have a caricature of the Native American as our symbol. It’s a straight, physical representation,” Bechdel said. “... We are not in any way trying to harm anybody. We hold the Red Raider in high esteem.”
This story was originally published June 17, 2020 at 3:28 PM.