The cursed existence is a concept that explores the nature of suffering and pain in life. It suggests that there is an inherent curse or disadvantage that permeates existence, making it difficult for individuals to achieve true happiness and fulfillment. This idea is often associated with philosophical and religious frameworks that question the meaning and purpose of life. It raises questions about why there is so much suffering in the world, and whether it is possible to escape or overcome this curse. The cursed existence can be seen in various aspects of life. For instance, individuals may face personal setbacks and tragedies, such as the loss of loved ones, illness, or financial struggles.
Historically, we’ve had few mascots but many nicknames. As we paged through old athletic programs and the archives, a few things were abundantly clear: Our unwavering affinity for the black & gold, loud MacLeod plaid, and Scottish Terriers.
We even held a First-Year Seminar class in Fall 2019 on the Fighting Scots as a historical concept and asked students to think critically about what it meant to have the Highlander with shield and sword as our mascot. After a five-month long process in which the College solicited mascot ideas from students, employees, alumni, donors, and community members, more than 300 mascot ideas were submitted by more than 1,700 people.
For instance, individuals may face personal setbacks and tragedies, such as the loss of loved ones, illness, or financial struggles. These challenges can have a profound impact on one's well-being and may make it seem as though life itself is cursed. On a broader scale, the cursed existence is also present in societal issues such as poverty, inequality, and violence.
A Return to Our Roots
Determined, fierce, kind, hardworking, intelligent, inclusive—These are just a few of the words Wooster students use to describe what it means to be Fighting Scots.
In a world where opportunity is not distributed equally, creating a diverse, equitable, welcoming, and inclusive campus community must be a top priority. We are not able to achieve this priority without also examining the most visible symbols we use as a campus to reflect our values, character, and culture. This includes our school mascot.
Because no single human can attempt to represent all the diverse identities of our thriving Wooster community, The College of Wooster on March 30, 2023, introduced an updated mascot that reflects the inclusive community we aim to create while also paying homage to our storied history and heritage.
The Scottie dog has served as a source of pride for generations of Fighting Scots beginning with our earliest days of existence and will be sure to do the same for generations to come.
The updated mascot reflects the collaborative efforts of students, staff and alumni, who generated ideas, gave of their time to help with the research efforts, design, launch events, and provided input along the way.
New Scottie dog costumes arrive on campus this summer in time to recruit and train a new roster of student mascot performers who will work to entertain crowds at home games, admissions and alumni events, and engagements across the local community. The costumes will include MacLeod plaid kerchiefs and matching kilts, along with a black belt and sporran, which is a traditional part of the Pipe Band’s uniform.
Wooster Community Members Name Mascot
Frequently Asked Questions
Mascot
Are we still the Fighting Scots?
Yes! We are the Fighting Scots. Rather than representing the Fighting Scots with the Scottish Highlander, we will now use a Scottish Terrier, otherwise known as a Scottie dog.
What was wrong with the old mascot?
As we examine Wooster’s history, the Scottie dog was the first mascot at Wooster and has never really gone away even with the introduction of the Scottish Highlander fighter in the late 60s, early 70s. Up through today, the Scottie is widely accepted as one of Wooster’s mascots.
More importantly, however, no human mascot can represent all the diverse identities of our campus community and many human mascots raise serious concerns about racism, xenophobia, and are otherwise problematic. The introduction in recent years of the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians are two examples of professional sports teams who recognized the harm caused by human mascots. There are many more examples at the collegiate level, including Kenyon College, who changed from Lords and Ladies to Owls, and Capital University, who changed from Crusaders to Comets.
A symbol of European imperial expansion, the Scottish Highlander fighter no longer represents the current and future Wooster.
Results from a survey of students showed a majority of student respondents did not relate to the Scottish Highlander mascot. The reasons they provided included: “he looks white,” “he looks like a man,” “doesn’t represent the values of the college,” “needs to be more inclusive,” “represents violence,” “represents colonialism,” and “needs to be more inclusive.”
According to student respondents, Wooster Fighting Scots must represent community, be determined, hardworking, strong, kind, smart, resilient, intelligent, passionate, perseverant, and inclusive.
What are the plans to introduce the new mascot logo throughout campus?
The new Scottie dog logo made its debut on campus on Thursday, March 30, 2023, during a pep rally in Timken Gymnasium. This summer it will be added to wind screens on our new tennis courts on Wayne Avenue and to the gymnasiums. We will begin to form a planning committee soon who will identify opportunities to introduce the new Scottie dog logo throughout Scot Center. Please visit Mayer Bookstore online or in the lower level of Lowry Center to grab some Scottie dog merchandise.
What will the College do with the old Scottish Highlander installations?
The College will be working throughout the next year to replace old logos with the new logo. In so doing, we will make every effort to save historical pieces for the archives.
What was the process that resulted in the new mascot?
Numerous informal discussions have been held over the years about the mascot. We even held a First-Year Seminar class in Fall 2019 on the Fighting Scots as a historical concept and asked students to think critically about what it meant to have the Highlander with shield and sword as our mascot.
In 2021, we introduced new institutional and athletic logos that removed the Highlander from the W and replaced it with a custom W that was designed to pull from the deconstructed pattern of the MacLeod plaid. A special working group of staff in athletics and marketing was meeting to consider options for moving beyond the Highlander that was introduced to campus in the spring of 1973. The group’s work centered on addressing concerns raised by students and others about the lack of inclusivity of the Highlander, while creating a mascot that stayed true to the Wooster brand and the College’s history.
Research was conducted to learn more about the history of mascots and nicknames at the College, and students were surveyed about their thoughts regarding the mascot and the qualities and characteristics that come to mind when they think of Wooster Fighting Scots.
Historically, we’ve had few mascots but many nicknames. As we paged through old athletic programs and the archives, a few things were abundantly clear: Our unwavering affinity for the black & gold, loud MacLeod plaid, and Scottish Terriers.
We came across a lot of Scottish terriers during our review—real-life dogs posing for yearbook photos and wearing MacLeod sweaters, larger than life dogs on Homecoming floats and on the lawns of residence halls, dog illustrations that were on the front pages of athletic programs in the early 80s (a decade after the introduction of the warrior mascot), and dog mascot costumes that are worn during home contests up through today. It wasn’t until 2013-14, that we see broader adoption of the Highlander in College branding and throughout the Scot Center.
Results from our survey showed a majority of student respondents did not relate to the Highlander mascot. The reasons they provided include: “he looks white,” “he looks like a man,” “doesn’t represent the values of the college,” “needs to be more inclusive,” “represents violence,” “represents colonialism,” and “needs to be more inclusive.”
According to student respondents, Wooster Fighting Scots must represent community, be determined, hardworking, strong, kind, smart, resilient, intelligent, passionate, perseverant, and inclusive.
In a world where opportunity is not distributed equally, creating a diverse, equitable, welcoming, and inclusive campus community must be a top priority. We are not able to achieve this priority without also examining the most visible symbols we use as a campus to reflect our values, character, and culture. This includes our school mascot.
These problems affect not just individuals but entire communities and nations, fueling a sense of despair and hopelessness. Religious and spiritual traditions often offer different explanations for the cursed existence. Some believe that suffering is a result of human actions and choices, while others see it as a necessary part of a divine plan or a test of faith. From a philosophical perspective, the existence of suffering raises profound questions about the nature of reality and the limits of human understanding. It challenges our belief in a just and benevolent world and forces us to confront the harsh realities of existence. Despite the seemingly overwhelming nature of the cursed existence, there are also glimpses of hope and resilience. Many individuals and communities find ways to transcend their suffering and create meaningful lives despite the challenges they face. Religion, art, and personal relationships often play a crucial role in providing comfort and solace in the face of the cursed existence. In conclusion, the cursed existence is a concept that explores the nature of suffering and pain in life. It highlights the challenges and setbacks that individuals and societies face, and raises questions about the purpose of life. While it can be a difficult and overwhelming concept to grapple with, it also offers opportunities for growth, resilience, and the search for meaning..
Reviews for "The Curse of Fear: Overcoming Paralysis in a Cursed Existence"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I really wanted to like "The cursed existence" but I found it incredibly predictable and cliche. The characters were shallow and lacked depth, and the plot was unoriginal. The writing style also left much to be desired, with awkwardly constructed sentences and a lack of descriptive language. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. Alex - 1 star - "The cursed existence" was a complete waste of time. The story was boring and dragged on unnecessarily. The characters were poorly developed and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing was also choppy and unengaging. I was hoping for a thrilling and captivating read, but this book failed to deliver. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
3. Chris - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "The cursed existence" but it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was extremely slow, and the plot was predictable. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development. The writing style also felt amateurish and lacked depth. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and wouldn't recommend it to others.