Town and Country Newspaper

News Article

Respect the Past – Find the Future

Written by Larry Roeder, Editor
2015-04-15

In the Upper Perkiomen High School's Tribal Tribune, published on pages 27 through 30 of today's Town and Country, a student opines that it is time to change the school's mascot to something other than the Indian.

Change is not always bad (and not always good). Reading the opinion of a student taking on the challenge of expressing him or herself in a manner to draw attention to an issue that is important to them is good.

Whether you agree or not, the opinion and person who offered it deserves respect for putting it out there for consideration. And, just as deserving of respect is the opinion of those who gave the local school the mascot more than 60 years ago.

As a local history enthusiast, one who has spent countless hours researching,

documenting and presenting the history of the Upper Perkiomen Valley, I appreciate why the Indian was selected as the mascot.

The history of our immediate region is well documented and laid-out for all those hungry to learn about it. You have to reach out for it; it isn't a major part of any school's curriculum.

The story of the Commonwealth in general, and southeast Pennsylvania in particular, doesn't come close to presenting the detail of a community without screen or sports legends with million-dollar estates or billion-dollar sneaker contracts.

While many immigrants did treat Native Americans poorly, you'll find it quite different around here. You'll find that information in local church records, hundreds of years old, and journals and diaries of people who settled here. But it is information you must seek in local historical societies, libraries and museums.

The locals truly honored the Native Americans (the Penn's were not locals) who passed and spent time in this immediate region. Very early German immigrants, fleeing their home country to escape mistreatment there, were welcomed and lived an agricultural life here that blended well with that of the Native American friends. The immigrants even proposed building a monument along the banks of the Perkiomen Creek in Marlborough to honor their hosts.

So, even more important than changing the mascot because it is "politically correct" and "everyone is doing it" is finding out why the Indian was picked so many years ago and seeking out those who were part of that decision process. There are still many of the original alumnae of the Upper Perkiomen High School in the area.

Then, seek out the printed word, the original works that will enhance the learning process of the history of the place where you live.

You may change your mind or you may not. But you will enhance your opinion by taking the time and effort to understand the minds of the decision makers of the 1950's and understanding the history of the area in a more intimate way.

Change isn't always bad and a change in the mascot may come. But, if it's done, do it after you learn all you can about the way things are today, not just because someone else did it.

In a case like this, respect the past as you present your thoughts for the future.

If you're right, you'll find the support you seek.

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