Ole Miss, short for the University of Mississippi, has a long-standing history and tradition of having a unique mascot representation. Over the years, there have been several iterations and controversies surrounding the mascot, which ultimately led to a more inclusive representation. The original Ole Miss mascot, chosen in 1897, was a student dressed as a Southern plantation owner known as "Colonel Reb." This mascot, resembling a white-haired old man wearing a gray Confederate uniform, quickly became a symbol of the university. However, as times changed and the civil rights movement gained momentum, the association with the Confederacy and its racist past became increasingly problematic. In the early 2000s, Colonel Reb was officially retired as the university's mascot, following growing pressure from students and alumni.
The nickname for the school’s athletic teams remains the Rebels, but Ole Miss retired Colonel Reb from the sidelines in 2003 and has ditched other Old South symbols, including Confederate battle flags and the anthem “Dixie.”
The nickname for the school s athletic teams remains the Rebels, but Ole Miss retired Colonel Reb from the sidelines in 2003 and has ditched other Old South symbols, including Confederate battle flags and the anthem Dixie. During his time as an athlete at Ole Miss, Fein would frequently throw up a shark fin over his forehead in football practices during successful defensive plays, resulting in this Fins Up.
In the early 2000s, Colonel Reb was officially retired as the university's mascot, following growing pressure from students and alumni. The decision to retire Colonel Reb sparked widespread debate and controversy, with some arguing that it was an erasure of tradition, while others welcomed the move as a step towards inclusivity and racial sensitivity. After retiring Colonel Reb, the university went through a period without an official mascot.
Rebel Black Bear Is New Ole Miss Mascot
Much like the Confederate flag hanging atop the South Carolina statehouse, moving on from Colonel Reb was long over due for Ole Miss. After being without a mascot for the past seven or so years, Ole Miss finally decided on a new mascot to represent the Rebels. Based on a student vote, the Rebel Black Bear was selected. The Rebel Land Shark unfortunately came in second, while “Hoddy Toddy,” a saying exchanged between Ole Miss fans, came in third. Here are pics of the Rebel Black Bear thanks to the Clarion-Ledger: If you ask me, Ole Miss is just biting off other schools. Cal, Baylor, Missouri State, Maine, Brown, Montana, and Northern Colorado all already have Bear mascots. In contrast, how many sharks do you know of? And no, the team from Any Given Sunday doesn’t count. They really blew it if you ask me, but anything is better than Colonel Reb. The next step is eliminating the whole “Rebels” nickname altogether.
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You have successfully joined our subscriber list.However, in 2010, a new character named "Rebel the Black Bear" was introduced. This new mascot was specifically chosen to distance the university from its Confederate past, instead embracing a more inclusive and non-controversial symbol. Rebel the Black Bear received mixed reactions from the Ole Miss community. Some embraced the change and saw it as a progressive step towards a more diverse representation, while others criticized it as an attempt to erase the university's history and tradition. In recent years, the university has moved towards another new representation called "Tony the Landshark." This mascot was inspired by a popular hand gesture made by fans during football games and represents a more positive and energetic image for the university. Tony the Landshark has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising the new representation and others questioning its relevance and connection to Ole Miss. Overall, the evolution of Ole Miss mascot representation highlights the complexities of tradition, history, and inclusivity. The retirement of Colonel Reb and the introduction of Rebel the Black Bear and then Tony the Landshark reflect the university's efforts to move away from controversial symbols and towards a more inclusive and diverse future..
Reviews for "Reimagining the Ole Miss Mascot: Ideas for a Revised Representation"
1. John - 1 star
The representation of the Ole Miss mascot is nothing short of offensive and outdated. The use of a Confederate soldier as their mascot sends a clear message of insensitivity and ignorance. It is baffling that in this day and age, the university still upholds such a symbol of hate and division. It is time for Ole Miss to reevaluate their mascot and choose something that truly represents inclusivity and diversity.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
As an alumni of Ole Miss, I am disappointed in the school's choice of mascot representation. The use of a Confederate soldier perpetuates a harmful and divisive narrative. It alienates a significant portion of the student body and alumni who do not identify with this symbol of the past. It's time for Ole Miss to move forward and choose a mascot that can bring the community together, rather than further dividing it.
3. Mark - 1 star
The Ole Miss mascot is a blatant display of racism and should not be tolerated in any educational institution. The use of a Confederate soldier as a mascot glorifies a time in history that stands for oppression and discrimination. It is disheartening that the university continues to cling onto this symbol, ignoring the hurt and pain it causes to minority students and alumni. It is long overdue for Ole Miss to change their mascot to something more inclusive and representative of the diverse community it serves.
4. Emily - 2 stars
I find the Ole Miss mascot representation to be incredibly offensive. As an African American student, it is disheartening to attend a university that embraces a symbol of hate and oppression. The Confederate soldier mascot sends a clear message that the school values the history and beliefs of the Confederacy, which directly contradicts the principles of equality and diversity that should be upheld in an educational institution. It is time for Ole Miss to choose a mascot that represents the values of all its students, not just a select few.
5. Michael - 1 star
The use of a Confederate soldier as the Ole Miss mascot is disgraceful. It perpetuates a glorified image of a group of individuals who fought to preserve slavery and segregation. It sends a message of exclusion and disrespect to minority students and sends a clear signal that their feelings are not valued or considered by the university. Ole Miss needs to step up and abandon this outdated symbol in favor of a mascot that promotes inclusivity and unity among all students.