I have read with interest the ongoing discussion regarding name changes for cities and mascots in Lake County, as well as other places in our nation. Being 100% Scandinavian, I am offended that a football team in Minnesota refers to themselves as “Vikings.” They are anything but. If my history serves me well, my Viking ancestors were a murderous, pillaging and plundering lot. I”m sure that some are offended by the name of Viking, but I don”t hear cries to change that name. I demand respect.
How about the “Trojans” that are used as mascots by many high school and college teams? I think they should change their name to the Greeks. After all, even after being warned, Troy pulled the more intelligent Greek”s wooden horse into their city, setting up their demise, and all over a woman.
Then there is the Cardinal, a scavenging bird. Although bright red, they aren”t so big and tough. Maybe schools should change their name to something less controversial such as the crow, buzzard, or better yet for our area, the turkey!
When I think of the names of cities that are not good fits, I think of Nice and Lucerne. After all, they are nothing like their famous European counterparts. More examples are available. Maybe we are just taking names too seriously.
David Fidjeland
Kelseyville
