Utah High School Admins Reject Cougar as Team Mascot

[Derf]

A new high school in Utah let the students vote on their new mascot. When the students chose to be the Cougars, the school board said no, because that might offend middle-aged women. I don't know whether to laugh at the absurdity, cry at the political correctness, or laugh until I cry at the stupidity.

Here's the story.

[Rev. Powell]

Did you see their proposed mascot?

[Leah]

Is it democratic or dictatorship? Serious, make up your f**king minds!!!

[The Gravekeeper]

If they're that bloody worried about possibly offending a group that, to my knowledge, isn't really that offended by the term, why not just call themselves the Pumas?

[Flick James]

Had the school board been composed mainly of the figurative "cougars," something tells me it would not have been opposed.

[tracy]

For me,at least,there's no other thing to say....that's just plain idiotic! The PC culture just put another brick in the wall.

[The Gravekeeper]

For me,at least,there's no other thing to say....that's just plain idiotic! The PC culture just put another brick in the wall.

Nah, I'd say it's more people misunderstanding what political correctness. Encouraging people to be a little more considerate of others by, say, respecting a historically oppressed group's wishes to be called by a name they chose as opposed to one that has unfortunate ties to a rather ugly point in history? Considerate and only takes a little effort to do. Assuming someone might get offended even though that group hasn't voiced any concerns, and then acting on their behalf without consulting them? Putting the cart before the horse in situations that might not even call for any action.

[tracy]

For me,at least,there's no other thing to say....that's just plain idiotic! The PC culture just put another brick in the wall.

Nah, I'd say it's more people misunderstanding what political correctness. Encouraging people to be a little more considerate of others by, say, respecting a historically oppressed group's wishes to be called by a name they chose as opposed to one that has unfortunate ties to a rather ugly point in history? Considerate and only takes a little effort to do. Assuming someone might get offended even though that group hasn't voiced any concerns, and then acting on their behalf without consulting them? Putting the cart before the horse in situations that might not even call for any action.

I have no problem being considerate...in my job it's a must. But I would never consider "cougars" a historically oppressed group.

[ulthar]

Is it democratic or dictatorship? Serious, make up your f**king minds!!!

It's more of an oligarchy...the School Board runs the school.  Period.

Yes, it's cute that they let the students vote on the mascot, but at the end of the day, it's their call.

And really, why do | should any of us care if we DON'T live in that school system/go to that school?

I mourn the loss of autonomous "community" in this country...

[Flick James]

Is it democratic or dictatorship? Serious, make up your f**king minds!!!

It's more of an oligarchy...the School Board runs the school.  Period.

Yes, it's cute that they let the students vote on the mascot, but at the end of the day, it's their call.

And really, why do | should any of us care if we DON'T live in that school system/go to that school?

I mourn the loss of autonomous "community" in this country...

ulthar, you have made an excellent point. There is a bigger problem, which is that loss of the autonomous community. If it wasn't for the fact that communities were so afraid of what the rest of the country thought, this wouldn't even be an issue and nobody would care. As it is, we care more than we should. Case in point, we're talking about it here.

[Chainsawmidget]

Personally, I don't care.  I think it's stupid, but it's nothing that I'm going to really loose sleep over... or remember at all when I'm not actualy looking in this topic.  It's just another of those really dumb things you hear every once in a while, wonder how something like that happened, then forget about. 

[InformationGeek]

This is a very ridicious sort of story, but what makes it all better is the comments for it below:

As a white southerner, I find the word "crackers" hanging above an aisle in my local supermarket to be totally offensive. They will remove it or I shall mount a class-action lawsuit against them, Nabisco and Keebler.

This just in: The Cincinatti Reds are considering a name change as to not offend Communists.

[AndyC]

Assuming someone might get offended even though that group hasn't voiced any concerns, and then acting on their behalf without consulting them?

I'd like to see the reaction from anyone they try to consult on this.

[Flick James]

Assuming someone might get offended even though that group hasn't voiced any concerns, and then acting on their behalf without consulting them?

I'd like to see the reaction from anyone they try to consult on this.

Actually, I'm picturing a survey that starts off something like this:

1) Age range (circle one)
     a. 18-29  b. 30-39  c. COUGAR  d. 50-64  e. 65 or older