Marietta College (in
Marietta, Ohio) is considering changing its mascot, Putnam the Pio, and its
accompanying logo, a pioneer, because of concerns over possible "lack of inclusivity." Putnam
the Pio was installed as Marietta College’s official mascot only six
years ago, in 2014. He is modeled after General
Rufus Putnam, the founder of the first permanent settlement in the Northwest
Territory, and a combatant in the American Revolutionary War…two seemingly
great accomplishments and positive attributes.
Nonetheless, according to
a recent email sent to the campus
community by Marietta College President Bill Ruud, a 12-month review of the
mascot and logo is now underway. Ruud wrote: "In light of recent events
around our country and feedback from alumni and other friends of the College,
Marietta College will undergo a thorough review of its Pioneer Mascot. This
12-month process makes official the preliminary discussions our leadership team
and I have been having with interested alumni constituents throughout this past
summer and fall, as well as with the Board of Trustees and Marietta College
Alumni Association.”
Here is the
Merriam-Webster definition of “pioneer”: 1) a member of a military unit
usually of construction engineers. 2a) a person or group that originates or
helps open up a new line of thought or activity or a new method or technical
development. 2b) one of the first to settle in a territory. How can
any of these by offensive? Surely constructing something out of the
wilderness in the Revolutionary Era was a good thing. And how could any
card-carrying progressive take issue with a person who opens up “a new line of
thought” or method of technical development? Open-mindedness and science are
both excellent things, no? But maybe some will say that the “pioneers” were not
the first to settle anywhere in the U.S. and are interlopers on “stolen” land.
If that should be their complaint, then they cannot logically, simultaneously
welcome illegal aliens…or any immigrants, for that matter…into the country now.
What a strange and sad time we
live in, when Putnam the Pio is considered problematic but Hunter the Pedo is
not.
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