Topic Of Braintree Wamps Mascot, Logo Returns To School Committee

BRAINTREE, MA – The conversation surrounding Braintree High School's controversial mascot and logo has not been a short one, but it may begin to take a definitive turn beginning next week.

At a meeting of the district's Policy and Education subcommittee Thursday night, a motion was passed to return the topic of what the future of Wamp nickname and logo back to the full school committee at its meeting on Monday.

At stake is whether school committee members will decide to change the existing Wamps' Indian head logo and keep the longtime nickname or, whether the nickname – which has been deemed offensive many – will be retired along with the logo.

On Thursday, subcommittee chairperson Jen Dolan reported that Braintree Mayor Charles Kokors has been meeting with Tribe Sagamore Faries Gray, who agreed that an appropriate first step would be to approve the removal of any instance of Native American imagery from the school system and any other references to the logo around the Braintree community.

Gray is a descendent of Josiah Wampatuck, the tribal leader who inspired the high school's nickname. In 1665, Wampatuck signed the Braintree Indian Deed, giving colonists the land that is now Braintree, Quincy, Holbrook and Randolph. The deed remains in the town clerk's office.

The joint recommendation between the Mayor and Gray, Dolan said Thursday, would be to replace any Native American imagery with a simple ‘B’ as a logo until a permanent solution can be reached.

There are currently two petitions on Change.org with opposing opinions – one of which favors retiring the mascot and one that favors keeping it in place. As of Friday morning, a petition started by Lauren Kaye had more than 7,600 signatures in favor of moving away from the current logo that the petition organizer described as “extremely distasteful.”

“For years, students have dressed up in feathered costumes and face paint, running through the halls replicating "Native American chants", the petition reads. “These racist practices are unacceptable, yet continue to be allowed and encouraged by the use of this mascot.”

It continues: “By holding on to this outdated mascot, Braintree continues to contribute to these harmful stereotypes. It's time for Braintree to be on the right side of history.”

In opposition, more than 1,203 people have signed a petition in favor of keeping the Wamp nickname. That petition was started by Matt Curtin, who states on the website that Braintree students and athletes “take pride in being a Wamp, in which they do not intend to be racist or disrespectful.”

Superintendent Frank Hackett said Thursday that the district has removed the former logo from the Braintree High School website and social media accounts in exchange for the preferred ‘B’ logo.

Now the matter will move back to the school committee for more discussion.

“I’m glad we’re moving forward with this step, but I will say that I hope that this conversation continues,” Dolan said, adding she plans to elaborate more on Monday when the entire school committee is present.