Hey Penny Sparrow, I think we have found your next holiday destination…

OK we joke, but the folks of Whitesboro (yes, you read right) in central New York have come under fire for voting to keep their village emblem despite a public outcry. It’s just an emblem you say, what’s all the fuss about?

Let’s take a look at said emblem then:

Let’s get in nice and close on that picture right in the centre…

That’s right, you’re looking at a white man throttling a Native American man who looks about to tumble to the ground in defeat. Despite this 157 out of 212 votes were in favour of keeping the emblem, the New York Times explaining the history:

In 1784, Hugh White moved to Sedauquate, now Whitesboro, “where he was the first white inhabitant in the state of New York west of the German settlements on the Mohawk.”

The Oneida Indians called the area home, and Mr. White sought to maintain good relations and exercise “much diplomacy” in dealing with his neighbors, according to the history.

One day, an Oneida chief visited Mr. White and, in a spirit of good will, challenged him to wrestle.

“White dared not risk being browbeaten by an Indian nor did he want to be called a coward,” according to the story. “In early manhood, he had been a wrestler, but of late felt he was out of practice.”

Still, he would rather risk defeat than appear afraid.

“He accepted the challenge, took hold of the Indian and by a fortunate trip, succeeded almost instantly in throwing him,” according to the story.

At that moment, the bond between Mr. White and the Oneida chief was sealed. “In all ways, White dealt fairly with the Oneida tribe and gained their confidence,” according to the story.

It’s worth noting that the emblem was actually altered slightly in 1977 to make it look less like the white man was choking the chief. Perhaps it’s time for another revamp, although given that this is the same country that still allows a football team to be called the Washington Redskins I wouldn’t hold my breath.

[source:nytimes]