This looks like something that would hang in the town hall on the show "Parks and Recreation," but this is real life
http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/201506262145-0024850
The US confederate flag debate trending on social media over the past week has called attention to another "controversial" symbol in the country: the official seal of a small village in the state of New York called Whitesboro. The seal, which appears on village stationary, police cars and the village website, depicts Whitesboro founder Hugh White wrestling a Native American.
According to former Whitesboro mayor Richard Pugh, the seal is said to portray "a legendary, friendly wrestling match that White won, thereby gaining the local Indians’ respect", but that explanation hasn't stopped the renewing debate on whether the image is racist and should be changed.
This is not the first time Whitesboro has been asked to change its official seal. The 1963 version of the seal showed White with his hands located around the neck of the Native American. The old seal was changed after Native American groups filed a claim with the village board, saying it "demeans, disgraces and creates prejudice and distrust of Indian people". As a result the seal was re-designed, moving White's hands on the Native American's shoulders and not so close to his neck.
The controversy also resurfaced in the 1990s, when a village board member suggested a contest to change the seal, but no alternatives were put forward. In 2009, officials said the seal would not change.
http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/201506262145-0024850
The US confederate flag debate trending on social media over the past week has called attention to another "controversial" symbol in the country: the official seal of a small village in the state of New York called Whitesboro. The seal, which appears on village stationary, police cars and the village website, depicts Whitesboro founder Hugh White wrestling a Native American.
According to former Whitesboro mayor Richard Pugh, the seal is said to portray "a legendary, friendly wrestling match that White won, thereby gaining the local Indians’ respect", but that explanation hasn't stopped the renewing debate on whether the image is racist and should be changed.
This is not the first time Whitesboro has been asked to change its official seal. The 1963 version of the seal showed White with his hands located around the neck of the Native American. The old seal was changed after Native American groups filed a claim with the village board, saying it "demeans, disgraces and creates prejudice and distrust of Indian people". As a result the seal was re-designed, moving White's hands on the Native American's shoulders and not so close to his neck.
The controversy also resurfaced in the 1990s, when a village board member suggested a contest to change the seal, but no alternatives were put forward. In 2009, officials said the seal would not change.
wow...
