The board has officially decided to keep the Newton Brave mascot. I honestly never thought this would happen when I first started this, but you all showed me just how much people care about our local history.
August 27, 2020
Final supporters
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A letter was sent to the Newton Board of Education asking to have the Newton High School mascot, The Newton Brave, removed and banned, claiming that it is racist. This could be considered if we don't speak up!
The symbolism of the Brave does not have a negative connotation. Here is what a few websites say about it:
Vocabulary.com: What does it mean to be brave? It means to be courageous, dauntless, perhaps a little bit daring, a person who is brave faces dangerous or difficult situations with courage.
Wikipedia: During the Indian Wars of the mid to late 19th century, Native American warriors were known as Braves. The awarding of an eagle feather, the traditional insignia of an Indian brave, was an important rite of passage into manhood. To qualify as a warrior, and thus earn the right to wear an eagle feather, Indian youths were required to perform an act of courage on behalf of their tribe.
TheGlobeandMail.com: THE QUESTION: What was the origin of the term "braves," referring to native American men? THE ANSWER: The word "brave" was, indeed, once used to refer to "an Indian warrior," writes Peter Gorman of Toronto. Mr. Gorman says the word "brave" (as an adjective) first appeared in English in the late 15th century from the Middle French brave (splendid, valiant), which itself came from the Italian bravo (bold) or Spanish bravo (courageous, untamed).
The fate of the Newton Brave could be in our hands. The Brave on the front of the high school was removed and may never return! If you would like to keep The Newton Brave as our mascot, please sign your name to this petition.
Updates
July 20, 2020
I am honestly a bit overwhelmed that 2,500 people have stepped up to support the Newton Brave. This outpouring comes entirely from your passion rather than anything I did. It is humbling to see how much this community cares about our school identity.
Reached 2,500 supporters
July 18, 2020
July 16, 2020
I started this because I felt worried about our school traditions but the sheer number of people who have come forward to share their own memories has been truly humbling. It is clear that this mascot means a lot to many families in our town. I am just a person who loves this community and I am so grateful that you decided to take this journey with me.
Reached 1,000 supporters
July 14, 2020
Reached 100 supporters
July 13, 2020
851 Comments
My daughter gradu acts Ted from Newton high back in 2000. Went on to serve in the air force and serve her country. She has always been proud to be a Newton Brave graduate. It will be a shame to have anything remove from the Highschool that she loved so much.
The fact that the mascot is a Native American does not make it racist. The fact that the "Braves" are a positive and uplifting symbol of the plight of the underdogs is what has given NHS it's character for so many years. Don't change that!!!
I myself am part Indian and feel that it would be wrong for you to remove the image/mascot you see Indians are rarely seen and talked about our culture is a thing of the past. It saddens me to know that the world we live in today want to take away our history.
As an alumni and current parent of a student, I have always taken pride in being a Brave. The students learn to be proud of what they accomplish by being brave to try new things, push through tough times and achieve more for themselves.
A mascot is a symbol of strength and to be respected. A weak, submissive, symbol is never chosen. The Newton Brave was chosen as a way to honor a valiantly strong group of people that were loyal to their land and tribe; something that today we can all look to and try to emulate.
Preserve our history and portray native American culture in a positive manner
Please Save the Brave!
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
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The board has officially decided to keep the Newton Brave mascot. I honestly never thought this would happen when I first started this, but you all showed me just how much people care about our local history.
August 27, 2020
Final supporters
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A letter was sent to the Newton Board of Education asking to have the Newton High School mascot, The Newton Brave, removed and banned, claiming that it is racist. This could be considered if we don't speak up!
The symbolism of the Brave does not have a negative connotation. Here is what a few websites say about it:
Vocabulary.com: What does it mean to be brave? It means to be courageous, dauntless, perhaps a little bit daring, a person who is brave faces dangerous or difficult situations with courage.
Wikipedia: During the Indian Wars of the mid to late 19th century, Native American warriors were known as Braves. The awarding of an eagle feather, the traditional insignia of an Indian brave, was an important rite of passage into manhood. To qualify as a warrior, and thus earn the right to wear an eagle feather, Indian youths were required to perform an act of courage on behalf of their tribe.
TheGlobeandMail.com: THE QUESTION: What was the origin of the term "braves," referring to native American men? THE ANSWER: The word "brave" was, indeed, once used to refer to "an Indian warrior," writes Peter Gorman of Toronto. Mr. Gorman says the word "brave" (as an adjective) first appeared in English in the late 15th century from the Middle French brave (splendid, valiant), which itself came from the Italian bravo (bold) or Spanish bravo (courageous, untamed).
The fate of the Newton Brave could be in our hands. The Brave on the front of the high school was removed and may never return! If you would like to keep The Newton Brave as our mascot, please sign your name to this petition.
Updates
July 20, 2020
I am honestly a bit overwhelmed that 2,500 people have stepped up to support the Newton Brave. This outpouring comes entirely from your passion rather than anything I did. It is humbling to see how much this community cares about our school identity.
Reached 2,500 supporters
July 18, 2020
July 16, 2020
I started this because I felt worried about our school traditions but the sheer number of people who have come forward to share their own memories has been truly humbling. It is clear that this mascot means a lot to many families in our town. I am just a person who loves this community and I am so grateful that you decided to take this journey with me.
Reached 1,000 supporters
July 14, 2020
Reached 100 supporters
July 13, 2020
851 Comments
This name change consideration is absurd. I’m proud to be a Braves alumni and my children are proud to be a Brave! Plus, if this happens who is going to pay for all the new sports uniforms? We taxpayers pay enough already!
My daughter gradu acts Ted from Newton high back in 2000. Went on to serve in the air force and serve her country. She has always been proud to be a Newton Brave graduate. It will be a shame to have anything remove from the Highschool that she loved so much.
The fact that the mascot is a Native American does not make it racist. The fact that the "Braves" are a positive and uplifting symbol of the plight of the underdogs is what has given NHS it's character for so many years. Don't change that!!!
I myself am part Indian and feel that it would be wrong for you to remove the image/mascot you see Indians are rarely seen and talked about our culture is a thing of the past. It saddens me to know that the world we live in today want to take away our history.
As an alumni and current parent of a student, I have always taken pride in being a Brave. The students learn to be proud of what they accomplish by being brave to try new things, push through tough times and achieve more for themselves.
A mascot is a symbol of strength and to be respected. A weak, submissive, symbol is never chosen. The Newton Brave was chosen as a way to honor a valiantly strong group of people that were loyal to their land and tribe; something that today we can all look to and try to emulate.
Preserve our history and portray native American culture in a positive manner
Please Save the Brave!
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This name change consideration is absurd. I’m proud to be a Braves alumni and my children are proud to be a Brave! Plus, if this happens who is going to pay for all the new sports uniforms? We taxpayers pay enough already!