The Long Island Mascot Battle

The small town of Massapequa, New York, is in the spotlight. It's all because of a school mascot that's been around for decades. The mascot is a Native American chief, and it's not just on the school's sports teams. It's everywhere in the town. You can see it on murals, fire trucks, and even the welcome sign. The state of New York wants the mascot gone. They say it's harmful and disrespectful to Native Americans. The school district disagrees. They see it as a symbol of unity and pride. The state has a rule against using Native American images as mascots in public schools. Most schools followed the rule, but Massapequa didn't. They took the state to court. The judge didn't side with the school. The school has until mid-May to change its mind or face closure of the case. The school district is still fighting. They say the mascot honors the town's history. The name Massapequa itself comes from a Native American term. The town was named after a chief who sold the land to settlers in the 1600s. The debate has caught the attention of former President Donald Trump. He supports the school's right to keep the mascot. He even asked his education secretary to help. The state education department isn't backing down. They say the rule is to protect Native Americans from harmful stereotypes. They also say the school didn't reach out to Native American leaders during the rule-making process. The school says Native American tribes shouldn't be the only ones to decide if a mascot is okay. Some residents of Massapequa agree with the school. They see the mascot as a part of their identity. Others, like Adam Drexler, have a different view. Drexler played for the Massapequa Chiefs in high school. Later, he found out he was of Native American descent. He thinks the mascot's image is outdated and disrespectful. He wishes the town would update the image to better honor Native Americans. The battle over the mascot is far from over. It's a complex issue that touches on history, identity, and respect.