EDITORIAL Myth or Monster? Do you believe there is some creature living around Fouke?

The 2023 Fouke Monster Festival is Saturday and crowds will e descending on the Southwest Arkansas town that gave the creature its name.

For more than 50 years there have reported sightings of the Big Foot-like creature around the Fouke area. And though whatever is or is not out there has kept a low profile for several years, the interest remains.

Some claim the best is real. Other say its nothing more than a hoax mixed with imagination -- plus a bit of marketing for the tourist trade.

What about you? Do you believe the Fouke Monster is real? Or is it just myth and mischief?

Send your response (50 words maximum) to [email protected] by Wednesday, May 3. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504 or drop it off at our office, 101 E. Broad St, Texarkana, Ark. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We will print as many responses as we can in next Friday's paper.

Last Week: Whats in a Name?

Last week's question was about banning Native American nicknames and mascots from public school sports team. Should Native American-associated words and imagery be banished from public school sports? Would you support such a ban in Arkansas and Texas? Or is this just an example of PC culture gone wild?

The answer is a little more nuanced. I am a member of a Native American tribe. Naming teams Redskins or Redmen is not appropriate. Native people are not cartoon characters. There are words and imagery that can honor the culture of Native Americans. Ask the tribes what they feel would honor their culture. -- J.W., Texarkana, Arkansas

I absolutely would not support a ban. I am part Cherokee and I feel it is honoring Native Americans to use their names. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I don't watch a lot of sports but when I do I always hope the ones named for Indian Tribes win simply because of the name. My mother (where I got the Indian ancestry from) always wanted to drive a Jeep Cherokee not because she had ever ridden or driven one but simply because of the name. -- B.W., Texarkana, Arkansas

Yes it should be banned. We should be respectful of all peoples culture and race. I don't think we would want a team called the Honky Huskies and depicting a bunch of toothless white guys? Respect for all. -- R.K., Texarkana, Texas

Of course many individuals in Texas and Arkansas want to keep their "Indian" mascots! But like slavery, Did Native peoples ask to be used like that by others? Or has it been forced on them? There are better ways to show true honor and respect. -- R.E., Endicott, Mew York

From facebook.com/texarkanagazette

- I think if the people you're using imagery of find it offensive or distasteful, we should listen to them and stop. That's basic kindness and decency.

- Should probably just ask the Native Americans in the area. If they're bothered by it, then change it if you want, but don't change it because a bunch of white people think it's disrespectful to them. Things are only offensive if you allow them to be offensive to you.

- I agree with the person who stated that it should be up to the Native Americans. My husband is Choctaw Indian and not by a small margin. His grandfather was 100% Choctaw. We should ask people instead of making assumptions.

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