Board discusses Midget mascot

Ure M.
Edmeston, NY     02/14/2010 7:57 PM

OK, this is coming from an lp (little person) or dwarf. The mascot name does not offend me and here's why: the schools, the day cares, the baseball leagues, the football teams and even the 'little' cheerleaders who use that name too, and if you think I am kidding, google it... eh, they don't bother me. Because to me they are using the word in the strictest sense of meaning or being 'small'-er than their older/bigger but EQUAL-the key here-notice that, COUNTERparts. Plus, they're not using it in a self defacing way as the wrestlers do, I feel, or are they doing it because they hate us or to ridicule us. To me it's just like when you go to grocery store and you might pick up a package of midget hotdogs, in that sense. So, to me, I could care less. And even if they are the 'Fighting Midgets', at least they're fighting to win and not defeat me or us;).

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R B.
Dickinson, ND     02/11/2010 9:43 PM

A quick check on the internet, and I found six other high schools that use midget for their mascot. Butternut, Wis.; Freeburg, Ill.; Hurley, Wisconsin; Mclaughlin, South Dakota; Estherville, Iowa; Putnam County, Unionville, Missouri. We are not alone, so lets leave it alone.

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chad c.
Kewanee, IL     02/11/2010 1:56 PM

I have the perfect name as to not offend any race, creed, religion, sex or anything else. How about the Dickinson High School Human Beings? This German, Norwegian, Irish, and French mutt is so sick of these bleeding heart PC types. We have become such a sickly, weak, coddling nation. Remember people these are words that we are talking about, not actions. I think for some us the "words" have become the sticks and stones.

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Jacob M.
Dickinson, ND     02/11/2010 11:45 AM

I’m glad that both sides of the argument are being heard. That said, I think I tend to have more stock put into the tradition of keeping the name alive. There are generations of people who have grown up with the mascot, and the term was not used as a slanderous attack back in the 40’s and 50’s. If you look up the word in the dictionary (which I’m sure a lot of you have) the word can be used in a multitude of ways. Perhaps an arrangement can be made where something might change but the name stays because as I see it, it means: A small or miniature version of something. Not necessarily a person. I hope that the school board can keep an open mind about the topic. Another important issue that I would like to hear more about is the lawsuit filed against the mascot in 2003. As a student going to school during that time period I never heard anything about a lawsuit and it definitely should have been brought to our attention (at least the Student Council). However, if I remember correctly, newly elected school board members were admitted during the years I went to school. Maybe it was viewed as unpopular or the change in regime caused some of the paper work to accumulate. In any case, it seems like poor timing to bring it to the attention of students and former students who considered the issue closed. Best of luck in your endeavors DHS! Keep the Midget Pride alive.

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j h.
Dickinson, ND     02/11/2010 9:38 AM

Does the school board really have nothing else to discuss? I agree that maybe they are trying to be pro-active instead of reactive, maybe its on the wakes of the controversey at UND over the Sioux name or maybe not..(I think we should keep it...) At anyrate, I dont think anyone is trying to purposefully cause strife between eachother, but I do think that the school board needs to do a better job at keeping the public informed besides thru the newspaper. Maybe setting up a website for those who cant make it to meetings, so that we can have our say? I think right now, we need to focus on the overwhelming influx of students to our district with the oil situation, and how to manage that. I tell you what, these teachers are overwhelmed already, and I have had one incident with my child from the problem. If the school board cant handle these issues, than us parents need a sounding board as well as maybe a newsletter letting us know in advance when we can stand up for our kids. Since obviously noone else is.

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klm k.
Dickinson, ND     02/11/2010 7:18 AM

I take exception to ALEX S comment that the board is narrow minded and ignorant.KRIEG and the board put this issue to a public vote and the MAJORITY SPOKE.the problem is ALEX S does not understand that we live in a democracy and views may differ but in the end the MAJORITY WINS.Your vote is just as important as my vote.That is the fairest way,not the NARROW MINDED
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Jim C.
Dickinson, ND     02/11/2010 2:00 AM

Wow, you all expect to come on here and rip Rummel anonymously, and you don't think it's right for him to write a reply with his full name attached to it? He even submitted his phone number to discuss the issue! He has every right to comment on this if he wants to. I disagree with Rummel, but at least he has some guts. The rest of you are cowards, unless you have actually picked up the phone and called him.

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Jade D.
Dickinson, ND     02/11/2010 12:09 AM

i am a student at dickinson high, and i want to keep the midget because it is unique, its about being a school that stands out, and we definately are that. but i would like to know how much money we are planning to spend on changing the mighty midget? couldnt this money be used to better our athletics or vocational classrooms? after all, it is just a mascot, something that you are for 4 years. there must be more important issues

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Sammie S.
Dickinson, ND     02/10/2010 10:49 PM

I find it very sad that know one ever gave a crap about the school boards decisions until one came along about a mascot and now everyone is ready to get rid of them, shows how much our community really cares about education. No wonder North Dakota has the reputation it does, the people living here have no idea whats going on outside of their own stubborn, irrational heads

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Sabrina O.
Dickinson, ND     02/10/2010 10:08 PM

This is a waist of time money and breath!!! Leave it alone!!! You can't please all the people all of the time!!! I'll be a Midget for all my life!! If we have offended anyone give them a box of tissue and let them have a good cry and get over it!!! Proud Midget!!!

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