An inside look at the Goshen School Board meeting with the Redskins mascot debate

The crowd at the Goshen High School auditorium cheers and applauds in support of the Redskins mascot during public comment Monday, July 27, 2015, at the Goshen Community Schools board meeting. The board voted 5-2 in favor of retiring the mascot. (Sarah Welliver/The Elkhart Truth)

A number of students were in attendance, creating a sea of red Save Our Mascot T-shirts.

Wednesday morning the Newsmakers program put you in the room with sounds from Monday night’s crucial meeting that resulted in the scheduled retirement of the Redskins name. The audio was taken from a video recording of the meeting provided by Elkhart Truth digital reporter Sarah Welliver.Dozens of people attended the meeting, which was at the Goshen High School gymnasium because of the expected turnout. More than 50 people addressed the board, many of them past and current students. Representatives from a number of Native American organizations made their voices heard as well. The room, like the community, was divided over the question, and some admitted that they weren’t certain how they felt, even at the last hours of the conversation.

What was heard most was the word “pride,” and it was employed by both sides with zeal. Native Americans talked about pride in their traditions and their own identity. Students and adults with a deep connection to the moniker spoke to their own pride in the history associated with their beloved mascot.

Education reporter Michelle Sokol, who has been talking about this subject in The Elkhart Truth and on Truth Radio 1340 all week, was at the meeting. She remarked Tuesday morning that hundreds have had their say, either in person at the school board meetings or by emails and phone calls. The board called this an incredibly difficult decision, with generations of their own families growing up as proud Goshen Redskins.

The other keyword from the evening was “respect.” No matter which side they were on, nearly everyone called for better understanding between both halves of the debate. A deeper appreciation for what both sides were feeling about this difficult question was displayed. Board President Catherine Cripe remarked that the predominantly civil tone of the conversation has been encouraging for everyone involved in making the final decision.

From the beginning of the evening it was made clear that a public referendum was not an option under state guidelines, and that the board would have to reach the decision. In the end, the ayes had it, and so did the Goshen Redskins’ name.

A new mascot will represent Goshen schools effective Jan. 1, and Cripe said the students will select it. The change will occur during the winter sports season, and there is a lot to work out between now and then. Stay tuned.

Newsmakers is a look behind the headlines impacting our communities, and is heard every Wednesday morning at 8:30 on Truth Radio 1340 during the Early Edition with Tommie Lee.

This story is from the Elkhart Truth, and the original story includes the audio from the Newsmakers program.