High school football team uses insensitive “Trail of Tears” sign to taunt rival Indians (Photo)
By Jack Crosby
The ignorance of people today, especially in the sports worjd–for as much as I love and cherish it–will never cease to amaze me one bit.
Still to this day, racism and insensitivity, which go hand-in-hand with one another are rampant throughout the athletic community. All you need for evidence of this is to take a quick gander at the ongoing situation with Richie Incognito, Jonathan Martin and the Miami Dolphins.
But, the issue goes even lower than the professional ranks.
This photo was found taken from a Tumblr account pertaining to a sign used at a recent high school football contest in Alabama:
The person then went on to make a very valid point about why this shouldn’t be ignored, as the school, students and the adults involved are apparently, sadly doing:
"Last night, this sign went up at a McAdory High School football game.I am absolutely disgusted that this sign was allowed to go up, and that it was not stopped by school administrators, and that after this, no one has mentioned it.The school and the students have shown no remorse for the sign (as expected) and the students have claimed ignorance and/or that it was just a “joke”.Sorry, but the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the death of thousands of Native Americans is not a joke.EDIT: As of 5 pm Sunday, no response from the school has been issued, and the local news to which I have reported this incident have not looked into it either. Further information will be added as it comes to me."
They’re absolutely right, it’s not a joke. What’s even worse is that no part of this has been brought to the public light whatsoever, making it hard for anyone to learn a proper lesson from any of this.
UPDATE: McAdory High School has issued a brief statement regarding the incident:
"To Whom It May Concern: On 11/15/2013 at a football game at McAdory High School, a sign was displayed that made reference to the “Trail of Tears” in which Native Americans were subjected to horrific atrocities. This was not condoned by the school administration, the Jefferson County Board of Education or the community. The person who would normally be responsible for approving such signs is out on maternity leave, and I take full responsibility that arrangements were not made to have the signs pre-approved before the ballgame. Please accept our sincere apologies to the Native American people and to anyone who was offended by the reference to an event that is a “stain” on our Nation’s past forever. Sincerely, Tod Humphries"