The Mississippi Colonel Reb mascot has a long and controversial history. Colonel Reb was the official mascot of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) from 1979 until 2003. He was depicted as an elderly Southern plantation owner with a white goatee and a top hat. While some saw Colonel Reb as a symbol of tradition, heritage, and school spirit, others found him to be offensive and representative of a painful and divisive past. Supporters of Colonel Reb argue that he was a beloved figure who embodied the spirit of Ole Miss. They saw him as a symbol of Southern pride and tradition, and felt that his removal from campus was an affront to their heritage.
"I know there was a lot of people emotionally invested in Colonel Reb and everybody might not completely agree with the bear, but I think everyone can be proud of how our students went about the process," said Sparky Reardon, the university's dean of students.
Margaret Ann Porter, a co-chairman of the student mascot selection committee, said the bear was recommended because it had a Mississippi connection, would appeal to children and would be unique to the Southeastern Conference. Athletics Director Pete Boone acknowledged that the vote was an emotional process and his department would begin the lengthy process of implementation, including marketing and communications.
They saw him as a symbol of Southern pride and tradition, and felt that his removal from campus was an affront to their heritage. For many fans, Colonel Reb represented the nostalgia and sense of community that came with attending Ole Miss. They saw him as a harmless symbol of school spirit and camaraderie, and believed that his removal was unnecessary and politically motivated.
Ole Miss Mascot: Rebel Bear Replaces Colonel Reb
The new mascot of the University of Mississippi Rebels will be a black bear, officially replacing the goateed Southern gentleman "Colonel Reb" who was banished from the sidelines almost seven years ago.
Thursday's unveiling of the "Rebel Black Bear" is the latest move in the school's effort to distance itself from symbols of the old South.
The announcement came after a campuswide vote in February and months of polling. The bear beat out two other finalists, the Rebel Land Shark and something called the "Hotty Toddy," an attempt to personify the school cheer. The bear received 62 percent of the vote in the final poll.
"I know there was a lot of people emotionally invested in Colonel Reb and everybody might not completely agree with the bear, but I think everyone can be proud of how our students went about the process," said Sparky Reardon, the university's dean of students.
Margaret Ann Porter, a co-chairman of the student mascot selection committee, said the bear was recommended because it had a Mississippi connection, would appeal to children and would be unique to the Southeastern Conference.
Ty New, the other committee chairman, said everyone in the university's community - including faculty, students, alumni and season ticketholders - had a voice in the selection.
"The fact that we were completely transparent through the process makes this a credible choice," New said in a news release.
That doesn't mean there wasn't griping along the way. In 1997, Ole Miss ended the waving of Confederate flags at sporting events. Last year, the band stopped playing the fight song, "From Dixie With Love," to discourage the fan chant, "The South will rise again."
And some of the colonel's faithful sought to derail the search for a new mascot by staging protests earlier this year and in the last few weeks by gathering signatures to make Colonel Reb one of the choices.
"I think it's hypocrisy. I think the fans of Ole Miss still want Colonel Reb. We have a petition with 3,500 signatures of students who still want Colonel Reb as their mascot and that's the way it should be," said Brian Ferguson, a 2007 graduate who is also a member of the Colonel Reb Foundation.
Athletics Director Pete Boone acknowledged that the vote "was an emotional process" and his department would begin the lengthy process of implementation, including marketing and communications.
"It's been a passionate topic and it's often evoked an emotional response - right or wrong. Change is certainly difficult. But I appreciate the passion from our people. They say indifference is the worst emotion out there, and I don't think we're guilty of that," he said.
The black bear is connected to Ole Miss through one of Oxford's famous residents, Nobel Prize-winning novelist William Faulkner, who penned "The Bear." In it, Old Ben stands as a symbol of pride, strength and toughness. The tale of the "teddy bear" originated with the story that President Teddy Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear on a Mississippi hunt in 1902.
Earnest Harmon, a freshman fullback from Macon, said he's fine with the bear.
"A lot of the guys on the football team liked the landshark just because it was the sign our defense made after a big play, but the bear is fine, too," Harmon said.
First published on October 14, 2010 / 1:30 PM
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Margaret Ann Porter, a co-chairman of the student mascot selection committee, said the bear was recommended because it had a Mississippi connection, would appeal to children and would be unique to the Southeastern Conference.
Opponents of Colonel Reb, however, saw him as an offensive and racist symbol. They argued that his depiction as a plantation owner perpetuated harmful stereotypes and glorified a painful period in American history. They saw Colonel Reb as a representation of the racist past of the South and believed that his removal was a step toward creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment on campus. They felt that his removal was necessary to ensure that all students felt valued and respected at Ole Miss. The controversy over Colonel Reb came to a head in 2003, when the University decided to retire him as the official mascot. This decision was met with mixed reactions on campus and in the community. Supporters of Colonel Reb protested the decision, staging rallies and petitioning for his reinstatement. Opponents of Colonel Reb, on the other hand, celebrated the decision as a step toward creating a more inclusive and welcoming campus environment. Since retiring Colonel Reb, the University of Mississippi has chosen not to have an official mascot. Instead, they have focused on building a more inclusive and welcoming campus culture. While some fans still display Colonel Reb memorabilia at sporting events, the University has made it clear that he is no longer an official symbol of the school. The controversy surrounding Colonel Reb continues to be a topic of discussion at Ole Miss and illustrates the ongoing debate about symbols and their meaning in society..
Reviews for "The Colonel Reb Mascot: Nostalgia for Some, Offensive to Others"
1. Samantha - 1/5 stars
I found the Mississippi Colonel Reb mascot to be extremely offensive and inappropriate. As a person of color, I believe it is crucial to address racial issues and promote diversity and inclusivity. The mascot, with its portrayal of a Confederate soldier, perpetuates a painful history of slavery and discrimination. It is time for institutions to move away from symbols that glorify and romanticize a past that oppressed and marginalized a significant portion of the population. The university should consider changing their mascot to one that reflects the values and diversity of the community it serves.
2. John - 2/5 stars
While I understand the connection to history, I believe the use of the Mississippi Colonel Reb mascot is outdated and out of touch with the current societal norms. It serves as a reminder of a time when racism and discrimination were prevalent, and it can be hurtful to those who have experienced these injustices. As an institution of higher learning that prides itself on inclusivity, the university should consider retiring this mascot and adopting a more inclusive symbol that represents the diverse student body and faculty.
3. Emily - 1/5 stars
The Mississippi Colonel Reb mascot is highly offensive and inappropriate. It perpetuates a culture of racism and white supremacy that has caused immense pain and suffering throughout history. The university should take immediate action to retire this mascot and replace it with a symbol that promotes unity, diversity, and inclusion. It is disappointing to see an institution of higher education continue to embrace a symbol that directly contradicts the values it claims to uphold.
4. Andrew - 2/5 stars
As an alumni of the university, I am disappointed in the continued use of the Mississippi Colonel Reb mascot. It is a symbol that is deeply rooted in a painful and divided history. Instead of fostering inclusivity and unity, this mascot alienates and offends many members of the community. It is time for the university to reevaluate its choice and consider adopting a mascot that represents its commitment to diversity and progress.