San Diego State University has decided to keep its
longstanding “Aztecs” nickname, though it will tone down its Aztec Warrior
mascot to a more culturally appropriate figure: “Spirit Leader.” SDSU’s interim
president, Sally Roush, recently told the San Diego Union-Tribune, “The Aztec
Warrior…will be retained, but as Spirit Leader, not mascot.” So, instead of
appearing menacing, will he now be portrayed as a Mesoamerican version of
Richard Simmons?
“We
just expect a much more dignified and appropriate demeanor from that person.
You won’t see the Aztec Warrior doing pushups in the end zone. You won’t see
the Aztec Warrior dancing with the cheerleaders,” Roush added. What, he’s
out-of-shape and gay? Gets winded easily? Is that a depiction of which an
actual Aztec Warrior would typically approve?
A
task-force-conducted major survey determined that SDSU, its alumni, and the
public all want to keep the Aztec nickname, which has been in use since 1925,
according to the Union-Tribune. Inexplicably, the task force concluded: “In the current political climate relative to
the US/Mexico border, the elimination of the moniker may be read as
discriminatory and an attempt to ‘erase’ our relationship to Mexico and other
Latin Americans,” the paper reported. Hmmm. If Cleveland’s major league
baseball team gave up the nickname “Indians,” would that be viewed as an
attempt to “erase” the squad’s relationship to Native Americans?
However,
the group, furrowing its collective brow, apparently considered
counter-arguments as well, noting that dropping the Aztecs moniker makes sense
“because of the current political climate.” You know, that whole
“appropriation” thing. Yet, in the end, the group essentially decided, “Aztec good.
Warrior bad.”
San
Diego State Aztec “Spirit Leaders” it is!
And
remember: like yourself, eat healthy and squeeze your buns! Go team!
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