Should Tewksbury High Change Its Mascot?

TEWKSBURY, MA - Tewksbury residents are expected to come out in the hundreds Wednesday night for a town hall forum to discuss whether or not to keep the Tewksbury Redmen mascot.

The meeting, hosted by Superintendent John O’Connor will be held at 6 p.m. at Tewksbury Memorial High School.

This isn’t the first time the issue has come up, but it is the latest and follows concerns brought to the school department late last year by two parents.

While some in town find it offensive, others simply do not and the town certainly seems to be divided on the issue.

Back in December, the Lowell Sun conducted an online poll on the issue asking its readers if the Redman name should stay or go. Of the 532 responses they received, 53.9 percent were in favor of changing it, while 46.1 percent wanted it to stay.

Supporters of keeping the Redmen are strong. So strong in fact, the very active Facebook group “REDMEN...HERE TO STAY!!!!!” has more than 1,500 members and growing all in support of keeping the Tewksbury mascot.

The question is what will the final outcome be?

Tewksbury isn’t alone. They are one of nearly four dozen schools in the commonwealth with a Native American mascot.

In 2014, there was talk that a Washington Redskins trademark ruling would have an impact on Tewksbury Memorial High School’s mascot for its sports teams.

At the time, The Boston Herald reported more than 40 high schools around Massachusetts use Native American mascot names or images, and those could be in jeopardy as a result of the Redskins decision.

In the same Boston Herald article, Tewksbury Athletics Directer Brian Hickey said his school’s Redmen name is not intended to offend, but instead honor.

What do you think? Is it time to change the Redmen to something else or should it stay? Tell us in the comments section below.