To the editor:

To change, retire or eliminate the Dartmouth High School logo/symbol would be an injustice to the  students, Wampanoags and the residents of Dartmouth. I applaud the Dartmouth Select Board for  putting the logo support to a vote by residents of Dartmouth in the upcoming April 5th election. The  debate on whether to keep the historical and current Dartmouth High School logo has been going on for  some time now and has become quite exasperating over the years, especially recently with the efforts  of a few trying to eliminate the name and logo. To be clear, the terms “mascot” and “logo” have been  thrown about by both sides. Opponents tend to use the term mascot with negative connotations. The  more positive proponents, of which I am one, refer to it as a logo. This suggests that it is an emblem, a  badge of which to rally proudly under. Dartmouth doesn’t have a “mascot.” I have gone to athletic  events, worked as a volunteer for the Dartmouth High School Band, attended graduations and never  witnessed nor heard of any divisiveness or negative stereotyping that opponents of the logo state are  happening, or could happen, because of the High School’s logo.  

Opponents of the logo suggest that its use produces inflammatory negative terms, such as  “psychological harm, stereotyping, stress, distress, depression, hostility and dysphoria.” I have read the  abstract of the study often referred to in these stated opinions. This referenced abstract is titled, “The  psychosocial effects of Native American Mascots” (Davis-Delano, Gone, Fryberg May 2020).

 It’s from this  mentioned study that all of these previously noted negative terms are suggested. My concern lies with  this study being comprised of a compilation of seven “One Shot” case studies. I am fairly well versed in  statistics, experimental design and data analysis, and a “One Shot “(Stanley and Campbell, 1966) case  study can be described: where multiple groups are studied only once, and their validity falls short of  being acceptable and can be disillusioning. 

The nature of these “One Shot” studies, even a compilation  of them, requires one to question their validity and question their potentially misleading results. While  not without merit, the results shouldn’t be taken as a “once and for all” conclusion but should be  considered with minimal value. Even with the best run studies, of which Delano-Davis, Gone and  Fryberg’s study is questionable, you need to include other variables, such as: history, gender, age of the  participants, and/or race to base empirical data on, none of which, were readily available online to make  even a reasonable statement. As such, the conclusions are, consequently, minimally in line with validity  and/or reliability. 

Over emphasis on negative rhetoric from a single study as seen in the Delano-Davis, Gone and Fryberg  study should not be allowed to overshadow the positive meaning and interpretation of the logo for the  community and should not be the reason for the logo’s elimination.  

Since its inception and design in 1974 by Clyde Andrews, a Wampanoag Tribal member and Dartmouth  High School graduate, this logo is not representative of colonial, revolutionary, western or Hollywood  history. 

Instead, this Dartmouth High School logo is an accurate depiction in that It represents focus, hard work, unity and pride. It has been carried NATIONALLY by the students of Dartmouth High both, indigenous and non-native, and they all have brought the logo home to Dartmouth with a sense of  pride in their accomplishments. Those positive attributes have been handed on to their fellow students  of all races and creeds and indeed all residents of Dartmouth. Parents have waited at all hours of the  morning for the buses to roll in, sounding their horns with the students tired, but bursting with pride for  their school and the town under their logo. We have all proudly watched at Dartmouth Pride parades 

when we tout Dartmouth citizens both young and old, veterans and non-veterans alike for their service  and dedication to their community. Finally, we have witnessed at graduation ceremonies of Dartmouth  High, where ALL students are recognized for their scholastic, athletic, music and extracurricular  achievements. Again, all under the Dartmouth High School Logo. 

Vote to keep the Dartmouth High School Logo. 

Michael P. Gula ,

Dartmouth