Editor’s note: Since the original proposal regarding Aztecrepresentation at San Diego State University was raised on Sept. 6,The Daily Aztec has received an unprecedented number of lettersregarding this issue. We have received more than 100 letters, 40 ofwhich came in the 24 hours following the Associated StudentsCouncil’s Sept. 27 vote in favor of a resolution to remove the Aztecname, logo and mascot.

The Daily Aztec is an independent paper published for SDSU and thecollege community, and will be devoting this week’s Letters to theEditor page to the airing of this debate.

Mascot offends, marginalizescultures

San Diego State University claims it’s honoring Aztec people byhaving this dorky white guy go out and blow the conch shell during afootball game. How about honoring us with our true heritage, not ourcolonized one?

Aztec is the name the Spanish colonizers gave our people, but it’snot who we are. People should not be mascots. All this talk abouthonor makes me sick. Where is the honor when Monty Montezuma mocksour sacred ceremonies at football games? The calling of the gods issomething to hold sacred.

I have listened to many arguments for and against this issue. Thefact remains that a certain population of students on campus areoffended by this mascot, this mockery. You can ask all Caucasians oncampus how they feel about the mascot, but how close to home does ithit? Whether students are Native American, Chicano or Mexican, we area marginalized people in this society. Keeping the mascot willcontinue to marginalize us.

I have read several articles on this issue, many of which havegotten facts wrong and given certain individuals praise for standingup for the mascot. At the forum, Aztleca, an SDSU student, lethimself be tokenized by those wanting to use our people. This is aperfect example of what is wrong with the university and itsso-called honoring of our heritage.

Rey Soto is taking a lot of heat in this paper for believing thatpeople are not mascots. Well, I stand behind him and the NativeAmerican Student Alliance.

–Melissa CastroChicana/o studies and history senior

Mascot debate creates turmoil,oppression

The SDSU Aztec mascot war wages on and yet we still have peoplelike MEChA Chairwoman Christina Quimiro fueling the fire. As if itwere not bad enough to have Rey Soto as an A.S. member fighting forhis personal beliefs, we now have Quimiro following in suit. Who inthe hell does this supposed chairwoman think she is? She deemsherself qualified to say that the “Anglo” person has no right todecide on the issue? Well, in case Ms. Quimiro has forgotten, she isattending a public school under state supervision followingCalifornia State University policy.

She has obviously forgotten that the right to vote comes from ourinherent right as U.S. citizens.

How dare she say I am not qualified to speak up on an issue thataffects me, too! Her babble on her reasoning behind this claim wasshocking and very entertaining.

She claims that by wearing a logo or graduating from this campus,one is not automatically an Aztec warrior. Well, in case you forgot… neither are you! I cannot believe the audacity of theseGeneration-X students, who may or may not be of some Aztec descentfrom thousands of years ago, who are fighting for “their oppression.”I’m sorry, but unless you were present when Cortes arrived inTenochtitlan, then just stop your whining and leave the tradition ofMonty Montezuma alone.

I am appalled by the continuance of ridiculous claims made bythese students on our campus and how they have refused to see theturmoil around them that they have caused.

Stephanie Martin’s column, (10/3/00, “A.S. should represent orresign” ) regarding members of A.S. was exactly right regardingstudent representation. Here we have A.S. members allowing thissuggestion to pass, in addition to chairpersons of on-campusorganizations stating that “Anglos” should not be allowed to speak… what is right about either one of those statements? A.S., MEChAand NASA need to stop thinking of themselves and start thinking ofthe bigger picture here. You have a responsibility to represent thestudents of your campus and you are all failing miserably right now.Stop rambling, stop complaining and start listening … listening tothose students, faculty and alumni who are all so disappointed in youfor what you have done. You need to think twice before you make ahuge mistake allowing for the depletion of alumni, community andstudent support.

Let the student body be heard through a vote so that this”oppression” does not continue with you.

–Kori Wordenliberal studies senior

Current A.S., alumni contributionsendangered

I am a proud Aztec alumnus of San Diego State University, Class of2000. Because I have graduated, I no longer pay tuition, but rathermake contributions to the alumni association which in turn supportsand funds many activities around campus.

With the current issue surrounding the mascot and the threat ofthe Aztec name being removed, the money I give to SDSU may alsobecome extinct if this proposal is successful.

I am an Aztec along with the thousands of other alumni from yearspast. We have no choice but to remain Aztecs. Under a new mascot, there-named Alumni Association will no longer have members, funding orsupport for we will not be proud of a mascot we have neverrepresented.

I am ashamed of the A.S. Council. They did not represent thestudent vote, which they are elected to do. Just as quickly as theyare voted into office, they can be voted out. Current students,remember this in the next election. Elect people who represent thepopular vote, not the vote of one student club on campus.

Of greater concern, Mr. Soto from NASA stated that “persons not ofNative American descent should not be allowed to vote on this issue.”Is that not as offensive as he believes the mascot to be? There are35,000 current students and many more alumni who will be affected bythis change. Yes, anyone who claims to be an Aztec from SDSU, past orpresent, should have a voice.

Furthermore, three years ago when SDSU modernized the new Monty,NASA was asked to give its opinion on the matter. It approved of thenew face. Why, three years later, has it now become a problem? NASAshould have said it was offensive then. Three years is a long timefor a club to come to that conclusion. Maybe this is its shot at 15minutes of fame.

Well, NASA’s time is up!

This is a sensitive issue that affects thousands of people. Ifirmly believe that the Aztec is not offensive. NASA should spendmore of it’s time promoting the positives, such as putting inserts inthe media guide at football games, thus raising awareness of Aztecculture. There are many positive things NASA can do, rather they goafter the one thing many people believe to be sacred.

Because I am an alumnus, I cannot vote in the opinion poll to beheld on campus. I am begging those students who support the Aztec tovoice their opinion and be heard when that vote comes about. Pleasevote! If you do not, Monty may become extinct forever. Just like SDSUalways proclaims, “Be loud, be proud!”

–Rebecca SutsonSDSU Class of 2000

The mascot issue, summarized

I am angry and disappointed at this whole mascot business, and Ihave lost a lot of respect for the Native American Student Alliance.I have learned a little about the Aztec culture in my art historycourse, and I know even less about the Native American culture, butat the risk of sounding ignorant, I don’t understand what they haveto do with each other.

Native Americans really aren’t even native to this continent. Theycame from the continent that is now Asia down across the BeringStrait. Then they spread across the Northern American continent anddown into Mexico. The two cultures may have originated from the samepeople, but they are considered, as they were then, two verydifferent and distinct cultures. For
NASA to say it is offended bythe Aztec logo at SDSU would be like me saying I am offended by theCanadians, while in Canada. That sure does suck for me, but why inthe world would they be expected to change their flag or culture justto satisfy my beliefs?

Like many others, I have heard nothing that has convinced me whywe should spend millions of dollars to change the entire theme ofSDSU. If NASA is offended by the logo, then change the logo. Make iteven more historically accurate than they did just three years ago.Make it representative of Aztec art, which is awesome, instead of amale warrior figure, which is obviously way too controversial.

If our Monty character that pumps us up during football gamesoffends NASA, then change him. Make him more historically accurate;maybe he could sacrifice one of the fans and rip out their heartwhile it is still beating, like the Aztecs used to do.

If NASA is offended that SDSU calls itself the Aztecs, then I wantto know what the problem is. The Aztecs were a proud, strong culture.Mexicans, Mexican-Americans and students who identify themselves assuch are proud of their Aztec heritage. I have heard some people inthis group say they are slightly bothered that students who are notof Aztec descent now identify and take pride in the Aztec logo, butthe overwhelming majority are proud that their heritage is such awidespread symbol of pride. If anything, NASA should be glad that somany people even know who the Aztecs are.

Granted, everyone could know even more about the Aztecs. I seenothing wrong with instituting a required Aztec history class forfreshman, similar to the useless University Seminar course. Thiswould put us one step ahead of most colleges and universities, thatdon’t know anything about their mascots. We could teach students thatthe Aztecs worshiped the sun and the summer solstice and that theirtemples served functions similar to the temples in Egypt, Stonehengein England and Newgrange in Ireland.

It is ridiculous that students have not been given a forum fortheir opinion. Of course, we can always express our opinion in TheDaily Aztec, but at no time did the A.S. Council or President Weberprovide students with a place to send their comments and share theiropinion.

This is abominable. I hear now that there will be a referendumvote that will give us an opportunity to express ourselves, though itwill officially count for nothing.

A travesty in my opinion.

The A.S. Council should have held a vote immediately, since, intheory — though not in practice — they represent the greaterstudent body. I have heard students say they will leave the school ifour mascot is changed, both because of their heritage, and the factthat they do not want to pay their money to an institution that wouldsell out like this. Everything I have heard from alumni suggests thesame. And where would NASA be without the funds of the alumni andeveryone else?

The rest of the school has just as much right to be proud as NASAhas to be offended, and if the votes of the entire school as well asthe alumni calculated, it would completely overwhelm the proponentsof this mascot change.

–Erin David

Fight for Monty, save tradition,pride

I am a recent graduate of San Diego State University. I would liketo share my thoughts on NASA’s decision to phase out one of thecornerstones of our beloved university. I think this is a terribleexample of bad judgment, and that NASA should sincerely think abouthow it will affect the student body — mentally, as well asfinancially.

The whole university is surrounded by Native American andMexican-American symbolism. All buildings, halls and statues oncampus have been named in honor of one or more of these “minority”groups.

SDSU is very proud of its rich history and culture. SDSU is alsoone of the most diverse institutions in the state. How in the name ofall things cultural is it possible that after 75 years of enshriningour Hispanic and Native American heritage through our mascot and teamname, have Montezuma and the Aztecs suddenly become offensive?

I do not believe in discrimination of any kind against any oneperson or group. I also do not believe that a mascot or team name canin any way be offensive in that context. It is ridiculous to think itwas the aim of the creators of the mascot and team name to degrade oroffend anyone. More ridiculous is your decision to attempt to phaseout such a widely-accepted and praised icon. People relate to theirmascot; they take pride in the fact that we are a culturally-diversecampus, and that that diversity is expressed throughout our campus.

Taking away the Aztec name is not only a terrible decision thatNASA will regret in the near future, but it also symbolizes the deathof generations of students whose lives have been enriched by thediversity the university’s icon has provided them. Instead ofdegrading our proud history as Aztecs by becoming the “Wampus Cats,”or the “Professors,” why not identify with a people we can be proudof, that reflect the ideals and culture of students that attend thisuniversity?

The Aztec portrays the image of SDSU, as well as its student body,which unfortunately, counts you as some of its members. For those ofyou who voted against this resolution, I commend you on keepingtradition alive.

The Aztec Fight Song:

Fight On, and On, Ye Aztec Men,

Sons of Montezuma, we will win again

Keep your spirits high, never bow a knee,

We will fight till VICTORY

Fight On, and On , Ye Aztec Men,

Proudly raise your banners high,

For it’s the Red and Black, HAIL TO OUR TEAM

San Diego Aztecs FIGHT

S-D-S-U, SDSU AZTECS FIGHT

–Tammi ThompsonSDSU Class of 1999

–The Daily Aztec welcomes letters on all subjects, sections andstories. Letters may be edited for brevity and libelous or overtlyoffensive content. The Aztec will not run unsigned letters. The Aztecoffices are located in the basement of the business administrationbuilding. Please send e-mail to daletter2000@hotmail.com