Student Sparks Row Over Indian 'Mascot'

A student's demand that his high school remove Indian images linked to the sports program has sparked an uproar in Carpinteria, California, a town proud of its "Warriors." The  student, who is of Chumash descent, doesn't object to the name Warriors but is opposed to Indian representations, such as a huge Indian head in front of the school. Some townsfolk consider the student a "pawn" of the American Indian Movement.

"It's not a racial issue," said a resident battling to keep the icons. "Many people here grew up proud to be a Warrior." But a school board member opposed to the images said people would never consider having "Jews out there dancing with yarmulkes" at games. "They act like we're trying to kill them, but we're just trying to bring them into the 21st century," she added.
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