| Hello colleagues, I hope you don’t mind me adding to your mailboxes. Some of you might be aware from being on social media or looking at the news media over the last few days, that there is a renewed push to change the SFU sports teams’ nickname. Currently it’s The Clan but, in a recent survey, 77% of the 163 student athletes who responded were in favour of changing it. They say they feel very uncomfortable, embarrassed, and even fearful when they play American teams, which is all the time, since SFU became an NCAA school. (If you’re still not seeing the issue, say it out loud!). So, this is why I bring this to the faculty email forum: the name Clan is harming our students. That makes it squarely our concern. The students have a petition that you can sign, if you are so inclined. It already has 7,500 signatories. They also ask for emails to be sent to SFU administrators (see the petition link). They have come up with a clever and pointed social media hashtag, #IamNotYourClansman, presumably referencing this documentary film and James Baldwin’s work. And they have been active in the news media. See, for example: Othniel Spence’s moving essay and Mason Glover’s CTV interview. Our own colleague, Holly Anderson (Philosophy), has been forthright in the media now and in the past about the problematic name. For me (a 17-year member of the SFU faculty), I fully support the students. The name has got to go, and soon. Its fate was sealed when the University decided to join the NCAA. The only question is why it's taking SFU so long to change it, given the hurt it’s causing. The main argument against the proposal (largely in comments below the line in news articles about this issue, rather than from current students) is that getting rid of “Clan” disregards SFU’s Scottish heritage. As a Scot, I have some thoughts ... Appeals to ‘heritage’ are particularly charged these days and should be treated with a great deal of care. But the appeal to Scottish heritage in this case is a thin argument at best. As you know, Simon Fraser wasn't from Scotland. He was from New York. Moreover, I have a feeling that some people in Canada think that one’s “Clan” is somehow a big deal for the average Scot. It is not. Very few Scots care. Yet, some in this debate are arguing that, if the SFU name is changed, the new name should reference Scotland too (I see ‘Claymores’ raised as an option). For me it would be best if the new name didn't celebrate a small country half a world away and its people’s role in colonizing this continent. My feeling is that the University should get rid of “Clan” and should invite local First Nations to lead a renaming process that is appropriate. This would be an opportunity to engage in our reconciliation agenda and, I think, would be supported by most of us at the university. (Although, I would note that one of the things that the students are frustrated about is that deliberations and consultations over this issue have gone on for a while and they feel that they may be being used as a stalling tactic. A respectful consultation should be done with as much alacrity as possible.) I am in no way involved in this campaign but I greatly respect those who have been out front in it (see names above). For me, the least I can do is sign the petition, email the admin, and provide my particular Scottish take. Best, Eugene
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Eugene McCann University Professor, Geography Associate Faculty, Sociology & Anthropology Simon Fraser University Managing Editor, EPC: Politics & Space Personal website: https://emccanngeog.wordpress.com Collective website: http://research.northumbria.ac.uk/urbanfutures/ Contact information: Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada Unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Email: emccann@sfu.ca; Phone: 778-782-3321; Fax: 778.782.5841 |