TN NAME is Tennessee’s chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education. TN NAME was organized in 2017 in Cookeville to advance a philosophy of inclusion; to promote cultural and ethnic diversity as a strength; to foster equity for all; and to represent and address the needs of the multicultural education community. We support education that is multicultural as a means of achieving the full academic potential of every learner.
One need that has made headlines in Putnam County in recent weeks is the need for support to change the Algood Middle School mascot. While sports teams across the nation, including the Washington NFL team, have embraced inclusion and abandoned the antiquated mascot, Putnam County Schools has ignored calls for dialogue and change.
TN NAME believes civil dialogue, which could help students and the community at large understand often misrepresented and misunderstood Indigenous history and beliefs, is a teaching moment that should not be missed. We encourage the school system to reconsider its dismissal of this issue and to take advantage of this opportunity for teaching children about building a stronger, unified community where all members are valued and treated with respect.