Harry's Gang: Esko can find the sisu to do right by its nickname

Suddenly, we’re talking about changing the nickname in Esko to avoid making an indirect negative reference to Eskimos, a historical name for the Inuit in Alaska, which some people seem to think is derogatory. Some don’t, however, and the idea that the word “Eskimo” is a pejorative term is not universally accepted. A little research shows that the term “Inuit” or “Native Alaskan” is preferred, but there doesn’t seem to be consensus that calling someone an Eskimo is insulting.

Now, calling someone an “Eskomo” could in some circles be derogatory. I own a restaurant called Eskomo Pizza Pies because it’s located directly across the road from Esko High School, and we make pizza pies. I thought it was pretty clever, at the time. But I do recall a Barnum coach telling me his players were never going to eat in a pizza joint named after the Esko Eskomos. I think he was being derogatory, but he brought his whole team in for pizza anyway, and they had a great time.

But we live in enlightened times, and it’s a smart move to look at the word “Eskomos” and discuss if it’s appropriate to use that word as a team name.

First, those who compare the spelling between “Eskimo” and “Eskomo” are disingenuous. “Eskomos” would not have been deemed clever if it weren’t an obvious synonym for “Eskimo.” Plus, the school mascot is a grizzled Native, and the logo is an igloo. Just intentionally misspelling an insulting word does not suddenly make the word friendly. And Davis Helberg’s story that other schools referred to us as “Mo’s” — as in “regular Joes”— doesn’t wash either. “Mo’s” became a shortened way to refer to Eskomos. “Esko Mo’s” didn’t evolve into “Eskomos.” It was the other way around.

So let’s not pretend that we are calling participants in our high school’s extracurricular activities some innocuous word.

The righteousness of the current discussion is aggravating. I saw people’s comments on the petition turn ugly, calling the student who started it “an interloper” and “un-American.” Come on, now. The right to petition the government for redress of grievances isn’t anti-American. It’s a right guaranteed by the First Amendment. It couldn’t be more American. Ad hominem insults are a terrible way to argue your point. I’d venture to say that such an approach is anti-American, but I don’t want to irritate my friends who are so violently opposed to a nickname change. They may turn their vitriol on me.

I can certainly understand that people get excited when they fear some of their fond memories may be tarnished by big changes, as if changing the school’s nickname will erase those memories of high school. This attitude is well-known among educators, who have difficulty making all sorts of necessary changes at the risk of offending now-prominent citizens who used to identify themselves as an “Eskomo” or a “Lumberjack” or a “Wren” or a ”Bulldog.”

I was an “Agate.” There’s no way to twist that into an insult, is there? And I don’t want the name changed. But I like to think I’d be open to a rational discussion about it, if it ever came up.

But that’s not the point. “Eskomo” has negative connotations to some, and considering recent events, I understand why some students suggest a change. It’s not the first time the community has discussed the use of the nickname. I’m guessing this won’t be the last, either.

But just as a healthy discussion is important, let’s look at the phrase. How many people find the term insulting? How offensive is it? Considering the play on the town’s name, I bet most don’t consider the nickname offensive. In fact, not all Inuit can even agree that “Eskimo” is offensive. The word has been used in a derogatory way, but the word itself is not an insult.

Maybe we should just discuss the school’s nickname. It’s the students who are affected by this. They are living with it. It’s just a memory for the rest of us. Forget the made-up politics. Wouldn’t the Esko school be better served by a nickname that suggests its strong Finnish pride and heritage? “The Esko Sisu” has been bantered around. I love that. It’s unique. It reflects the community. And it’s just plain better.

I vow this: If Esko changes its school nickname, I’ll change the name of my restaurant to match. It’s the least I can do.

Pete Radosevich is the publisher of the Pine Knot News and an attorney in Esko who hosts the talk show Harry’s Gang on CAT-7. His opinions are his own. He can be reached at [email protected].