Note: The following letter to the editor was shared with WZBD by Jovan Mrvos, a former teacher at Bellmont High School who still is active in the school’s radio program.
In the above photo, remnants of the previous nickname for Bellmont’s female athletes still remain at the Bellmont softball diamond. The school changed the name for all sports teams to Braves several years ago and has phased out the term “Squaws” as equipment and uniforms have been replaced.
It has been said that in the arc of history we stand on the shoulders of giants, and it bears repeating when discussing the role Phyllis Hebble played in the establishment of young women’s sports at Bellmont High School. Her efforts on behalf of countless young women in our community is immeasurable given the then accepted viewpoints regarding sports and women. Mrs. Hebble fought for and won the recognition that athletics in education should not be limited by gender.
Certainly, the continuation of growing brave young women who are strong, capable, independent, and caring is the legacy established by Mrs. Hebble. As is reflected in how these young student-athletes represent as well as my firsthand observation of the mentoring and examples these young women receive from the staff at Bellmont, I say with pride that her legacy is going strong today.
Knowing the pride our community holds in lifting up our young women, I, admittedly, am surprised by the conversations about the term “squaw” and whether it should still be used to reference them. I offer that the word and its meaning in today’s world diminishes the work done by Mrs. Hebble and others in their fight for respect, dignity, and equality. In recent years, First Nation citizens have made it clear the term is offensive, reflecting the use of the word to refer to a female not worthy of being treated humanely much less one with desired qualities. In fact, current definitions in all the primarily recognized dictionaries use words such as dated, disparaging, and offensive before even giving the original Algonquian meaning. While the term may have been seen as harmless and even commonly accepted as the female equivalent of a brave in the 70s or even the 80s, that is no longer the case today. In fact, the U.S. Department of the Interior issued a plan just last year to replace the names of over 660 places which include the word “Squaw” across the United States, declaring the word an ethnic slur.
As a former English teacher, I learned how words and language continually undergo changes for many reasons. In this case, the word “squaw” has undergone what linguists would describe as “pejoration,” or the process by which a word changes over time through the assignment of different meanings and uses for different purposes. I am sure we all can think of other terms which were once harmless or innocent, but which, over time, took on different meanings, some of them ugly, vulgar, or oppressive.
On a personal note, and as an example of “pejoration,” my parents and I immigrated to the United States in the early 50s and were officially (and for many years) referred to as “aliens.” I am sure no one who used this term meant harm (or, when assuming best intentions, I now choose not to believe so for my own healing), but I can tell you the words did hurt and damage. It was a way of keeping us separate and reminded that we just were not quite the same as those who were born here.
I offer my observations with sincere respect and admiration for the lifelong work of Mrs. Hebble and those who were proud to use the nickname historically. That pride is on-going as I have seen firsthand the Bellmont staff passionately work to promote sensitivity, confidence, compassion, self-respect, and empowerment within this generation of female student-athletes. However, now that we know the present meaning of “squaw,” allowing our young women to continue to be referred to as such would be irresponsible and incongruent with our values and beliefs.
I, for one, think a more fitting tribute to the real pride and purpose behind the work is the incorporation of those values and beliefs into the district-wide expectations of being BRAVES: Be Respectful, Responsible, Attentive, Valiant, Effortful, and Selfless. And, with these values, I do not believe there will be an expiration date.
Go BRAVES!
Jovan V. Mrvos
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