George Washington University Decolonizes Itself by Displacing Its Mascot – Opinion

George Washington University is sensitive. The institution made an effort to change its mascot, which has been with it for nearly 100 years.

GWU’s focus was poor in 1926. Several nicknames were used in connection with GWU, as noted in an Oct article in the school newspaper.

• Hatchets
• Hatchetmen
• Hatchetites
• Axemen
• Tongmen
• Crummen

The editorial asserted those failed to “carry the dignity that [the athletic teams] should bear.”

How could such a high-profile title be achieved? A proposal was made by the paper:

In the place of the names, the University Hatchet suggests the use of the connotation “Colonials” for the teams of the Buff and Blue.

“What name could be more fitting?” the article asked. “This, the school named after George Washington, and having as its colors the Continental Army buff and blue, the colors of Colonial America, should be entitled to bear the name of “Colonials” if any school is so entitled.”

It was a precious issue.

It dates back to the very beginning of post-Revolutionary times. [GWU] was founded when the term “colonial” still applied to an era which was then passing. Let us then, in just regard for our precious heritage, adopt as the name for the warriors wearing the Buff and Blue the term “Colonials.”

These days, we’re promoting a NewThe act of ignoring precious heritage is called precious heritage. Culture’s cutting-edge approach to history is unmistakably minimalist. We are moving on from the past.

In November 2019, therefore, a search was launched. Beyond the initial launch of a “task force on naming,” amid 2020’s riots, a new group emerged. On the orders of Thomas LeBlanc from the then-university president, the Special Committee on the Colonials Moniker formed.

From The Washington Examiner:

“The committee took its role seriously, reviewing relevant historical research and soliciting feedback widely to produce a report…recognizing the division among the community with respect to the moniker,” Mary Cheh, the chairwoman of the special committee, said. “Ultimately, we determined a new moniker would help support unity in our community.”

What if half of the schools opposed to a change and unity is possible?

We believe that the boundary line delineated different definitions.

“The special committee identified a significant difference in connotation for the term Colonials,” the university said. “For supporters, the term refers to those who lived in the American colonies, especially those who fought for independence and democracy. The term Colonials is used by opponents to denote colonizers who stole resources and land from Native Americans, exiled or killed Native peoples, and brought slavery to the colonies. These are perspectives that cannot be easily harmonized, the committee concluded.”

Additionally, the adoption of “Colonials” had been carried out “casually and haphazardly” — absent of “thoughtful university-wide consideration.”

Finally, George Washington was disapproving of the word by the college.

Thus, the near-century-old name will be exiled itself — as one more casualty in our era of moniker makeovers:

Dixie State University is the Other One to Bite:

Lady Antebellum Changes Their Name, Apologizes for Making Anyone Feel ‘Unsafe’

James Madison College Considers a New Name, Admits It’s ‘Riven by Policies and Practices That Disadvantage People of Color’

Revolution: The US Army will rename nine historic bases to fight racism

The White People Acronym: Virginia Schools Consider Taking the Wasp off Their Mascot

Concerning “Colonials,” GWU Law Professor Jonathan Turley is unimpressed with the undoing.

“The university says that the term no longer reflects the school’s values,” he noted online, “which no longer appears to include historical accuracy.”

“The Colonials fought against foreign rule. They weren’t advocates for colonization. For those interested in GW, that understanding was apparent by even a cursory review our history.”

Riverhorse & Hippo make up the short list for new-mascots

Amid “uninformed and inaccurate objections,” Jonathan has an idea:

“We will come up with a new moniker, though some students proposed one based on the Hippo statue (installed in 1996). Of course, we could then be called the ‘hippocrites’ without the cost of a publicity firm.”

As for evaluating mascots in modern America, it seems there’s a lack of consistency prominently at play: According to our best and wokest, a name such as “Indians” can’t be used because it insults American Indians. Simultaneously, “Colonials” can’t be used because it champions colonizers. Hopefully, in due time we’ll sort out which one should render us irate.

Meanwhile, there’s a much broader problem at GWU: The school remains named after George Washington.

Salute To Self-Awareness: Washington Post Denounces George Washington’s Name as a Racist
https://t.co/9n5FeUGsZK

— RedState (@RedState) May 13, 2022

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