The Keyport Board of Education voted whether or not to replace its high school's Native American mascot over concerns it was offensive.
KEYPORT - The image of a Native American wearing a headdress will remain as Keyport High School's mascot, despite recent outcry from members of the public who called it offensive.
With a 6 to 4 vote on Wednesday night, the Keyport Board of Education passed a motion to retain the current Red Raiders mascot. The decision was met by a standing ovation from a majority of the dozens of residents, students and alumni in attendance.
The issue became a topic of debate in public meetings and on social media after a 1994 graduate of the high school, who no longer lives in the district, petitioned the school board to remove all imagery referring to Native Americans.
The alum is reportedly not Native American, but said he deemed the mascot as offensive after talking to people who are.
Most of those who spoke during a public comment portion of the meeting asked the board to either keep the mascot, or find a compromise. Some suggested leaving the Red Raiders name but removing the Native American images. Other suggestions included adding more education about the Lenape Indians to the curriculum.
"I'm part Cherokee and I'm very proud of it, and I'm honored that they have the Indian head in Keyport," said Larry Stonerock, who has been a Keyport resident since 1970. "I'm not offended by it. I feel we should teach kids the history and show them this is the reason we have this."
Other speakers said the Keyport High School community the school mascot reflects a respect for Native Americans.
"If we didn't respect the mascot and the logo, it wouldn't have been here for 75-plus years. It would have been disrespected and thrown out," said John Merla, of Union Beach.
Alexis Walsh, a current Keyport student-athlete, told the board: "We take pride in being Keyport Red Raiders and I think that's important. There's nothing to be ashamed of about it."
Board members who voted against the motion, urged the their fellow board members to consider not just the will of the majority of Keyport's residents, but rather sensitivities of everyone.
"I would like to phase out the stereotypical cartoon that we currently have, which does not historically or authentically represent any Native Americans from the area, even if you don't find it offensive," board member Peter Henning said.
Board member Courtney White said he was not personally offended by the mascot, but he felt the responsibility as a board member to represent the interests of everyone.
"The majority perspective is not necessarily pseudonymous with equality," he said. "So even though you may have a majority of folks who are saying we shouldn't change this, the history of this country is fraught with situations where the 'majority' had to go back and take a look at whether or not they had the moral or even ethical high ground."
White added that some people would argue that there are more important things the school board should be doing than spending time discussing the mascot, such as worrying about educating children and getting them college ready.
"But what better way to get the children college ready than by teaching them about leadership, and compassion and empathy for others?" he said. "I'd be very happy with keeping terms Red Raiders, so Raider pride lives on and the history that you have with Raider pride lives on, but removes the offending imagery and we build bridges and we compromise."
Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.