Gary Moskowitz
MAGNOLIA PARK -- John Burroughs principal Emilio Urioste has a new job
this fall.
Urioste's task is to create a committee of students who will be asked
three things: to conduct research into Native American culture; to
determine if Burroughs is using its Indian mascot in ways that could be
deemed disrespectful; and to suggest ways in which the study of Native
American culture can be incorporated into a schoolwide curriculum.
"We want to take enough time to do a good, thorough job with this but
not rush it," Urioste said. "It also must happen with respect to the
student timeline of required state exams."
District Supt. David Aponik requested Urioste on July 20 implement a
process to study the school's use of the Indian mascot, after the
district received a memo from the Southern California Indian Center that
described Burroughs' use of the Indian mascot as a mockery of the Indian
community.
Urioste said he has not decided who will serve on the committee, but
his goal is to choose five to seven students of varied ethnic
backgrounds.
"I think this will be a real leadership thing for the students, and a
unique teaching experience for me," Urioste said.
School board member Trish Burnett said she is hopeful the committee
will help educate the student body at Burroughs, but said forming the
committee is not the answer to the issue at hand.
"This is not where we need to be," Burnett said. "This is a weak
effort to deflect what really has to happen, which is to change the
Indian mascot."
Burnett added, "This is a sugar pill for the community. People stood
up and said using the mascot is wrong. That is all that matters."
The students will be asked to finalize their research and report to
the school board by late January or early February.
