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The Daily Republic, Mitchell, Nov. 6, 2015
Mascot discussion is long overdue
South Dakota will soon look at its mascots and ceremonies, and we say: it’s about time.
A story in Thursday’s edition reported on the South Dakota High School Activities Association board of directors’ intentions to review our state’s mascots.
The resolution came from one of the directors, Roger Bordeaux, who is the board’s at-large American Indian representative. Bordeaux, who is superintendent of Tiospa Zina Tribal School on the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate reservation, wants the association to adopt a statement “encouraging its membership to consider not using any stereotypical Indian imagery and Indian mascots that cause harm.”
The board, reluctant to rush into anything, agreed to review the topic on Jan. 13.
We think this is fantastic news. And we hope schools and other organizations are on board to make this an informative and constructive discussion.
Bordeaux also emphasized there wouldn’t be any requirement for school officials to make change, because he believes it should be a local decision. We admire that notion, though we do hope that doesn’t mean some area schools will drag their feet on making necessary changes.
As debates about offensive team and mascot names have raged across the country and region, South Dakota has remained largely silent on the issue. We’ve heard some individual tribal members express differing opinions, but, there’s been little open discussion.
If there’s any state that should be leading this discussion on breaking down offensive stereotypes of American Indians, it’s South Dakota. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, American Indians made up 8.9 percent of our state’s population in 2014. That’s significantly higher than the national average - American Indians and Alaska Natives make up just 1.2 percent of the entire U.S. population.
But this issue is important to all of our state’s residents, not just those enrolled in a tribe.
Outdated images caricaturing American Indian warriors, or particularly referring to them as “red man” should be addressed. If you don’t believe us, here’s what Wagner resident Vince Two Eagles, a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe, told us in 2012 about the term:
“… the term, which did not become prominent in use until the 18th century when Thomas Jefferson became one of the first to use the term ’red’ to identify American Indians and refer to the ’tri-color’ races in America. For Two Eagles, whose skin is more brown than red, the moniker has never made sense.
’I think I saw non-Indians who looked more red than we did,’ he said. ’Hopefully, some of those stereotypes will start to melt.’ “
We hope so too, and we hope this move by the activities association is a step in that direction.
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The Capital Journal, Pierre, Nov. 5, 2015
There’s good news for South Dakota’s smallest citizens
There’s good news for South Dakota from the March of Dimes. That organization said South Dakota earned a “B’’ on its 2015 Premature Birth Report Card, thanks to a preterm birth rate of 8.5 percent, or more than a full percentage point below the national preterm birth rate of 9.6 percent in 2014.
Those figures come from the National Center for Health Statistics. Setting the pace for South Dakota are counties such as Brookings, Codington and Lincoln, which posted preterm birth rates of 5.8, 6.8, and 6.0 percent, respectively. Even Minnehaha County, which has the largest number of births in the state, recorded an 8.3 percent rate.
That’s great news for everyone who has shared first lady Linda Daugaard’s concern for the smallest, most fragile citizens of our state. It’s an important issue not just for families, but for the taxpayers, since babies who survive an early birth frequently face serious, sometimes lifelong health problems.
Those can include breathing problems, vision loss, cerebral palsy, even intellectual delays.
A “B’’ is not bad. South Dakota’s recent data suggests the state is capable of attaining the new March of Dimes goal: a national preterm birth rate of 8.1 percent by 2020.
The down side for South Dakota? The organization reports that there are still large gaps in the preterm birth rate between some counties in the state, while racial and ethnic disparities continue.
Overall, South Dakota ranked 33rd among U.S. states and territories on the disparities index with a score of 27 to indicate the gaps between racial and ethnic groups in its preterm birth rate.
Yes, there is more to do. But this is good news for our smallest, most vulnerable citizens.
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The Volante, Vermillion, Nov. 10, 2015
Sexual assault prevention is the duty of all
Every year, thousands of young adults enter universities across the country to begin their higher education.
Each year during orientation, they are given a very alarming look at the reality of the culture on college campuses. It is a statistic almost all university students can quote.
One in five women will be sexually assaulted during their time in college. One in sixteen men will also suffer the same fate.
We hear this statistic so often that we have become desensitized to just how alarming that is. In case it needs to be clarified, it is alarming and it is unacceptable.
It is our responsibility as students to ensure that this does not happen on our campus. We must create an environment where sexual assault is a thing of the past.
Partying is just a natural part of life in college, but it does not need to be coupled with unsafe environments where people are violated. If you see something going on that you feel is inappropriate, speak up and say something.
Under-reporting is the number one problem when it comes to sexual assault prevention.
If you witness something that you feel could constitute sexual assault in any way, it is your moral duty and obligation to report it. If you do not, you are part of the problem.
To those who have been the victim of such assault, please understand that reporting the crime can be the first step to ensure that others do not suffer the same trauma.
Studies have shown that rape victims are very reluctant to submit official police reports for a variety of reasons such as fear of reprisal or feelings of guilt.
Victims, please realize that it is not your fault and that you have a right to have the authorities seek out those that caused you harm.
The campus community will rally behind you and support you. There are resources available to help you.
Another underlying issue behind the rampant epidemic of sexual assault is the cultural stereotypes that are pushed on men and women in our society.
College campuses seem to be the perfect petri dish to allow these stereotypes to fester into a monster.
Men are almost universally praised for having countless sexual conquests and encouraged to be overly aggressive and rambunctious, especially when alcohol is involved. Men are also encouraged to be overly crass and profane when talking about women.
Women are told that if they dress up a certain way, they should expect to be touched and groped during a night out on the town.
These falsehoods permeate our culture, but common sense would tell you they are absolutely unfounded.
Men don’t have to act like savage creatures, and women don’t have to be defenseless. Women can wear whatever they like without the threat of inappropriate behavior from others.
Furthermore, college culture encourages men and women to engage in sexual activity as often as possible and not doing so is considered abnormal and even weird in some cases. People are culturally forced into situations that they are not ready for, and that creates a problematic environment.
We call on every student to respect a person’s right to choose.
They have a right to say no to unwanted behavior and unwanted contact directed at them.
They have a right to be respected as a human being and not be objectified.
It is the right and duty of every student and every citizen to report any inappropriate behavior or conduct they witness.
Help change the culture. You have a choice. Be a part of the solution to sexual assault, not part of the problem.
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