http://www.masslive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/05/its_about_time_the_chop_g
ot_ax.html

It's about time the chop got axed

by The Republican
Thursday May 14, 2009, 5:02 AM

The Gill-Montague Regional School Committee did the right thing Tuesday by
voting to ban the Tomahawk Chop gesture and its accompanying fight song.

Board members said the chop, primarily used at Turners Falls High School
athletic events, were offensive to American Indians.

In voting for the change, committee member Sandra Brown said it was time to
move on.

We agree, and we don't think this is a case of political correctness.

Many, but not all, American Indian groups have long opposed using Indian
symbols and mascots.

They say the names trivialize their customs and traditions and perpetuate
negative stereotypes about American Indians. They also say it would be
ludicrous for a university to use another race as its mascot, say for
example, the UMass Asians.

In 2005, the NCAA banned the use of American Indian mascots by sports teams
during post-season play, saying they were unacceptable for championship
competition.

But there is no consensus on the matter, and some schools and American
Indians have objected. The Seminole Tribe of Florida, for example, said
they were proud that Florida State University uses the Seminoles as its
mascot.

Even though the chop is gone, the debate in Gill and Montague is not over.
The Indian is still the school mascot, and sometime down the road officials
will have to rule on that matter. We believe the mascot should go as well.

Schools exist to educate young people, not teach them the Tomahawk Chop.