If you remember back to last week, good for you. You are a functioning human being. You also might remember a small controversy that spread across the news about the official seal of Whitesboro, New York. If you’re unfamiliar, here is a refresher courtesy of the Utica Observer-Dispatch:
The seal, which appears on village stationary, police cars and the village Web site, among other places, depicts Whitesboro founder Hugh White and an Indian wrestling. But the action taking place between them is not always clear. Some say White is pushing or tripping the Indian, others say that he’s choking him.
In reality, Mayor Richard Pugh said, the seal portrays a legendary, friendly wrestling match that White won, thereby gaining the local Indians’ respect. “It’s a seal that takes a little explaining,” Pugh said about the image that dates back to at least the early 1900s.
The folks in Whitesboro know the history behind the logo, but many outside of the village aren’t as familiar and it caused a little bit of a stir. A stir that was apparently sparked by a visit from Jessica Williams from The Daily Show. If you needed to know how that goes, Williams’ face likely says it all:
Williams meets with an American Indian activist and catches wind of the pushback against the seal. And she’s immediately caught by the image and the name of the town, leading to one of the funnier segments of Trevor Noah’s tenure on the show. Even better, it seems like the show was able to break news about the town finally actually changing their seal with the help of the local tribes.
It’s good news, but I’m a little sore they didn’t want to go with some of Williams options:
What town wouldn’t want that logo? Whitesboro, obviously, but they’re clearly out of touch.
(Via Comedy Central)