BeaumontEnterprise.com Updated 12:16 pm, Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Port Neches-Groves ISD’s response to Adidas’ offer to change their logo and mascot couldn’t be more clear.
Absolutely not, said Superintendent Rodney Cavness.
Adidas, a German multinational sportswear corporation, announced last week that it would give free design resources and financial assistance to any of the about 2,000 high schools in the country that use a logo or mascot drawn from Native American imagery or symbolism.
Cavness said PN-G will be keeping its Indian Spirit mascot and Indian logo.
“Changing it would be tapering down to political correctness of leftist extremists and we’re not going to do that here,” he said.
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The Adidas offer is voluntary for high schools interested in changing their identities, but lack the resources to do so, according to a company news release.
“Sports have the power to change lives,” said Eric Liedtke, Adidas Group executive board member ahead of a White House Tribal Nations Conference last week. “Sports give young people limitless potential. Young athletes have hope, they have desire and they have a will to win. Importantly, sports must be inclusive. Today we are harnessing the influence of sports in our culture to lead change for our communities. Adidas is proud to provide a pathway for high schools and communities who want to create new identities.”
The Washington Redskins called Adidas’ initiative hypocritical, saying in a prepared statement sent to the Washington Post that the corporation sponsors professional teams that use Native American imagery, like the Chicago Blackhawks and the Golden State Warriors.
Cavness echoed the Redskins’ sentiment and added that he believed Adidas’ initiative is likely motivated by profits.
“They’re all about making a dollar and selling a brand,” he said. “That’s what’s driving them to do it.”
In August, PN-G’s board of trustees voted to allow an alumni group to place a larger than life-sized Native American warrior statue near the entrance of Port Neches-Groves High School.
The project is still in its planning stages. The statue will feature Native American warrior – arms and spear pointed to the sky – and will serve as a tribute to all of the district’s graduates who have died, according to Bill Sealey, a 1970 graduate and a spokesman for the alumni group.
A few have expressed opposition to the project, but the majority of PN-G supporters appear to be backing the statue.
Cavness said there is no controversy over Native American mascots or the proposed statue in his district.
“We’re not doing anything to hurt anybody, to offend anyone,” he said. “If they are (offended), they don’t have to come here.”
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