Debate Over CR-North Mascot Continues As Second Petition Is Launched

NEWTOWN, PA — It's a tale of two petitions.

In response to a petition created late last month in support of considering a change in Council Rock North's mascot, a second petition — this one in support of keeping it the Indian — has been launched on Change.org.

The petition, created by 2002 Council Rock North graduate Paula Folger, has more than 3,300 supporters. It was created in response to a petition calling on the Council Rock School Board to initiate a vote to see if students want to keep or change the mascot from an Indian.

"Cut the 'snowflake is offended' crap already," said one supporter of Folger's petition. That comment had 39 likes as of Monday afternoon. Other supporters of Folger's petition say people are too sensitive, and that the Indian is not offensive and should remain.

One supporter said the effort to change the mascot was "political correctness on steroids. Stop this silliness."

"I'm so tired of people getting offended by everything. Knock it off already. The amount of "butt hurt" in this world is insane. There's nothing wrong with the Indian for a mascot," said another supporter, Kayla Froelich of Hanover, Minnesota.

Claudia Zoller also signed Folger's petition. She commented that "stupid people" should do more research before they try to "erase history."

"My daughter graduated from Council Rock. If stupid people would take the time to research the history of the Indian they would understand why it needs to stay. What else will people be offended by. If everything in USA offends them, go live in another country. You can't just erase history," Zoller wrote.

However, advocates in support of considering a change say the Indian mascot is in fact racist and perpetuates negative stereotypes of Native Americans. Organizers of that petition, which has more than 700 signatures, say they have delivered it to Council Rock School District administration and the school board.

The text of the petition in support of changing the mascot reads in part as follows:

Dressing up as an Indian furthers negative stereotypes of Native Americans and cannot be tolerated. And tomahawk chops and war cries by fans and marching bands are racist as well. If we can't dress up or act for school spirit then why have the mascot at all? If we had an animal or object for a mascot, then all students and members of the community would be able to use our mascot's imagery to create school pride.