July 6, 2017

Students Say ‘Millionaire’ Mascot Is Divisive

Many years ago, Americans of wealth and privilege leisured in a place called Lenox, Massachusetts. Over the years, many of them gave back by lavishing the community with philanthropy. They built a school and purchased uniforms for local children. The Berkshire Eagle reported that the millionaires were central to the survival of the town after many citizens left to fight in the wars.

Many years ago, Americans of wealth and privilege leisured in a place called Lenox, Massachusetts.

Over the years, many of them gave back by lavishing the community with philanthropy. They built a school and purchased uniforms for local children.

The Berkshire Eagle reported that the millionaires were central to the survival of the town after many citizens left to fight in the wars.

As a way of recognizing the kindness and generosity of their benefactors, Lenox Memorial Middle and High School named its mascot “The Millionaires.”

But a new generation of students say it’s time for a new nickname because they feel the word “millionaire” has become offensive and divisive.

A recent survey found that 67 percent of the student body was in favor of a new nickname.

“While the name beautifully memorializes the millionaires who supported our school and town during a difficult time, the majority of our student body feels no longer represented by the name,” one student leader told the newspaper.

The student leader went on to say that some students have been bullied because of the nickname and they are “embarrassed to wear school jackets in public for fear of being made fun of, or about going to basketball games, listening to spectators make rude comments regarding the mascot.”

But the crux of the matter is the divide between the haves and the have-nots.

“In today’s polarizing political climate, the term ‘millionaires’ has become associated with the top one percent of our country, which excludes and burdens a very large majority of the population and currently plans a large role in the division of the United States,” the student leader told the newspaper.

Instead of explaining to the children that success and wealth are to be commended and not condemned, the school district said it would take up the name change request at an upcoming meeting.

There’s a reason why one of the most successful game shows on television was called "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and not “Who Wants to Live in Poverty?”

State Rep. William Pignatelli applauded students for being engaged and supports the idea of a better name.

“To use that phrase when people young and old are struggling is a poor reflection of what Lenox is all about,” he told the newspaper.

Mr. Pignatelli, by the way, is a Democrat.

It’s unfortunate the kids at Lenox High School are ashamed of the prosperity that built their school and put clothes on their backs.

But since they are shopping for a new moniker, perhaps I could offer some suggestions. How about the Lenox High School Mighty Paupers or the Fighting Food Stampers?

Who We Are

The Patriot Post is a highly acclaimed weekday digest of news analysis, policy and opinion written from the heartland — as opposed to the MSM’s ubiquitous Beltway echo chambers — for grassroots leaders nationwide. More

What We Offer

On the Web

We provide solid conservative perspective on the most important issues, including analysis, opinion columns, headline summaries, memes, cartoons and much more.

Via Email

Choose our full-length Digest or our quick-reading Snapshot for a summary of important news. We also offer Cartoons & Memes on Monday and Alexander’s column on Wednesday.

Our Mission

The Patriot Post is steadfast in our mission to extend the endowment of Liberty to the next generation by advocating for individual rights and responsibilities, supporting the restoration of constitutional limits on government and the judiciary, and promoting free enterprise, national defense and traditional American values. We are a rock-solid conservative touchstone for the expanding ranks of grassroots Americans Patriots from all walks of life. Our mission and operation budgets are not financed by any political or special interest groups, and to protect our editorial integrity, we accept no advertising. We are sustained solely by you. Please support The Patriot Fund today!


The Patriot Post and Patriot Foundation Trust, in keeping with our Military Mission of Service to our uniformed service members and veterans, are proud to support and promote the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, both the Honoring the Sacrifice and Warrior Freedom Service Dogs aiding wounded veterans, the National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program, the Folds of Honor outreach, and Officer Christian Fellowship, the Air University Foundation, and Naval War College Foundation, and the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. "Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for his friends." (John 15:13)

★ PUBLIUS ★

“Our cause is noble; it is the cause of mankind!” —George Washington

Please join us in prayer for our nation — that righteous leaders would rise and prevail and we would be united as Americans. Pray also for the protection of our Military Patriots, Veterans, First Responders, and their families. Please lift up your Patriot team and our mission to support and defend our Republic's Founding Principle of Liberty, that the fires of freedom would be ignited in the hearts and minds of our countrymen.

The Patriot Post is protected speech, as enumerated in the First Amendment and enforced by the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, in accordance with the endowed and unalienable Rights of All Mankind.

Copyright © 2024 The Patriot Post. All Rights Reserved.

The Patriot Post does not support Internet Explorer. We recommend installing the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome.