WHOSE NAME BELONGS ON SENN FIELD?

Should the field in back of the Senn High School building be named after Mike North, a controversial Chicago sports radio host, known among other things for his history of racist comments about Asians, Latinos, Italians, Jews?

Mary Ann Smith, 48th Ward alderman, proposed naming the field for North, who is currently once again on the “hot seat” for referring to a Korean pitcher for the Cubs as a “Chinaman” and then for a long time refusing to apologize. The alderman has now said, “Had I known about his pattern of behavior, I would have said ‘no’ to the request (from North’s family).”(News-Star 1/3/07)

The alderman’s choice of North was from the start a questionable one for Senn Field — Senn H.S. takes particular pride in its multi-ethnic student body, and in its welcome for newly-arrived immigrants. The RNA student body is also multi-ethnic.

Alderman Smith sought to have the field named after North through the Senn Local School Council (LSC). Due to recent media reminders of North’s recent and past racist remarks, the Senn H.S. LSC will likely revisit this issue tomorrow, Wednesday, January 10th. The meeting will begin at 6:30 in Room 115. Enter through Senn’s parking lot.

Whose name belongs on Senn Field? The voices of those within Senn H.S, students, staff, and parents, remain crucial to this process and decision. Add your voice to this choice.

This entry was posted on January 9th, 2007 and is filed under News and Updates.