While the Ithaca City School District Board of Education voted to approve the flying of the Haudenosaunee flag at Ithaca High School, we at the Bear do not think that they have gone far enough to decolonize Ithaca. We suggest that they take the next step and give the land upon which the high school stands back to the Haudenosaunee.

Traditionally, planting the flag is an action that has been used by colonizers and soldiers to claim land, so why not officially consider the planting of the Haudenosaunee flag by the Ithaca City School District Board of Education as an act of decolonization and surrender.

Granted this means that Ithacans that would want to continue going to the high school in the Haudenosaunee District would have to apply for acceptance into the school and pay the required tuition. On the other hand, Ithaca City School District residents would not have to pay school taxes for the high school and would probably welcome the planting of the Haudenosaunee flag at every school in the district so that the Ithaca City School District taxes would vanish. Parents could use the savings to home school their kids, nonparents could donate their savings to worthy causes such as Planned Parenthood.

 A statement released by Ithaca City School District said that the decision,

reflects the district’s commitment to reversing the legacy of racism and establishing communities built on love and joy.

Let’s entirely end the legacy of racism and decolonize the entire Ithaca City School District to finally and completely establish communities built on love and joy!