Where is our Tiger? On Tuesday July 27, 2010 I received a text picture. Someone had destroyed an icon, a symbol of pride and commitment. A mascot. Our Marching Tiger has been covered up with blue paint. I've seen the posts on facebook, read the messages and responses. Seems there is a lot of damage control going on. Why? People are upset over what was done with pure abandonment and disregard to the mascot. Again and again one single word appeared in these posts. A simple word actually, three little letters. That word is “why?” Why was this done? Why? Why didn't this get stopped before it was too late? Why?
Well, as I've stated, I've seen several posts, talked to several people. Seems the “why” was: the football field needed painting. The “why” was that we have a new coach and need a new fresh start. The “why” was also a miscommunication. The “why” it seems can also be answered by the speed and efficiency of the crew who painted the field. I will completely agree.
The stands needed touching up! New coach, new start? Well, that can be emotions talking. Right? However, when it comes down to the “miscommunication” part, I have a huge “WHAT?” instead of a why. What do you mean by there was no time to inform the one person who should have been consulted or at least informed of this? What do you mean by the paint crew moved too fast and were way ahead of schedule so that it was too late to notify anyone of this? Were funds not requested or, at the least, the request of a crew be put together and submitted for approval? What do you mean by saying they were ahead of schedule? How long were they out there? Now, we’re not stupid. We’re not completely without reason here. I see a timeline ... unless you plan on informing us that someone woke up that morning while drinking their morning coffee, said to themselves “Hmmm, the football stadium needs painting. I'll have that done today.” This someone ran to work, contacted a paint supply company and ordered a rather large quantity of blue paint and the needed materials to paint with, contacted the person holding the purse strings for the school and told them to run right over to the paint store and pay for the purchased items, contacted the jail and requested work crews to paint the field that very same day, then arranged delivery of materials, crew and gave directions to paint “everything.” Yes, everything.
The buildings, the walls, the fences and have this feat accomplished by noon of that same day? Seems a little far-fetched to me. I see time to notify people. Are you also trying to tell us that this was accomplished before the simple thought of “I better let them know” passed your mind? Seems the coaching staff was informed, they were watching.
Why not everyone who shares that field. I know, work and duty called and the day moved on ... and that was as far as it got. Right? Until someone saw the concession stand and the picture flew. Then the words, born of emotion flew, and the phone calls. Now the letters. The “why's” were asked but it was too late. The answer given to the “why” was “simple misunderstanding”, “crew moved too fast”, didn't get a chance to inform someone. I have a why for this part. Why does it seem that we are being handed a load of bull to accept and make it all better? Did you honestly believe we would accept this answer as truthful when given to us? Expect us to believe that this was all an accident and spur of the moment decision?
There is no possible way this could have been coordinated in one day. Then that leaves us with one thought, and it has been expressed almost as frequently as the “why” question. That thought is you honestly didn't give a rats backside what that Tiger meant or stood for.
You honestly didn't stop and consider the results to your actions when those hand prints were covered so completely with two coats of paint, hands of proud Macon Countians. For former band members who have taken their pride in school and community, the bond of commitment born on that very field, and have enlarged it so very much that they are now overseas serving this country in the ultimate test of pride and commitment. Protecting us here at home. Their hand prints were wiped out. Their beginning lessons in pride of country, gone. Where they first learned dedication to a cause, wiped out. Where they got their first taste of pride at being involved in something bigger than themselves, painted over with abandon. Yes we saw those hand prints and remembered the person, know where they are now, and pride renews in a new person. The Tiger with its claws exposed and mouth open to roar or bite emboldened us to never back down, keep moving forward, keep trying and keep your pride up in who you are and what you can accomplish in life, not just on that field. Yes, we knew that the concession stand is going to come down someday. While we were out there painting and repairing major issues with that small building, we were told “It's coming down in a couple of years.” It’s OK, we replied, we can paint the Tiger again and the hand prints were on the window covers easily removed and saved.
We would mourn that day like you mourn a Phoenix -- sad that it is gone but eager to see the renewal. Here it is, six years later and the building still stands. Yet we have a building so our football team can practice out of the heat. Good! Protect our kids! They are our most precious assets! But wait ... the band members still practice on the field, in the sun, in the humidity, and the building still stands. I see a picture emerging here. Some kids are more important that others? Surely not! How could I think of such a thing!?! OK, then. Some school activities are more important than others. Hmmm. OK. Since it’s put that way. So that explains the money spent on a new building for a team to practice in to keep them safe from ill effects of the sun. That explains the new paint job, that explains the new coach. But doesn't that also boil down to the same thing? Some kids are more important than others, for our kids populate both activities. We have been dealing with this preferential treatment for years. And now, the ultimate slap in the face.
You took away our center, our rally point, our pride, our Tiger. Why? Were we not important enough to consult? We must not be. Why? Were we that shameful to you, us with our multitude of trophies set up so they span the entire band room? We must not be. I'm sure that all the current band members, future members and alumni will stand with me when I sincerely apologize for being such failures, such a cause for shame. Us, who practice music, marching in the 90 degree temperatures. Us, who learn to perform as flawlessly as we can carrying a sousaphone. Us, who sweat, get blisters, sunburn, bug bites, and push ourselves to do our very best while not dropping that flag even though our hands are sweaty, hot and sunburned. Us, who have broken bones, pulled mussels, broken teeth and earned stitches. Us, who do this out of love for the music, to entertain at half-time, which gives you something to either ignore or make fun of. Us, who get called geeks and are proud of it. Us, who are not as important as others it seems, for we were never given a chance to keep our mascot, our pride, our statement of our dedication to a cause.
You didn't think we were important enough. You wiped us from your thoughts with a hired paint brush and two coats of blue paint.
Mr. and Mrs. Clay
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