Amherst College drops Lord Jeff mascot

[alp227]

Source: Boston Globe

AMHERST — Pack your bags, Lord Jeff.

The Amherst College trustees announced Tuesday that the school would relieve its unofficial mascot of his duties.

Lord Jeff has drawn criticism as an inappropriate symbol for the elite liberal arts school. Historians say his namesake, Lord Jeffery Amherst, the commander of British forces in North America during the French and Indian War, supported giving blankets laced with the smallpox virus to Indians to advance the goal of destroying their race.

“Amherst College finds itself in a position where a mascot — which, when you think about it, has only one real job, which is to unify — is driving people apart because of what it symbolizes to many in our community,” the trustees of the college said in a statement.

Read more: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/01/26/amherst-college-drops-mascot-named-for-british-general-who-advocated-giving-native-americans-smallpos/cu8cXJwPnIRblFB1WpFWJJ/story.html

[Paladin]

1. Well done, Amherst.

It shouldn't be too difficult to find a new mascot, one that didn't advocate genocidal actions. Twisted-off alumni and assorted right-wingers who have a problem with this: tough.

[Arugula Latte]

2. What a stupid mascot.

As a rule, all mascots should be non-human.

I have decreed. *dusts hands off*

[brush]

3. Shouldn't they also change the name of the college from one who supported giving smallpox . . .

virus laced blankets to Native Americans?

God, the history of this country!

[24601]

4. Damn those British!