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Re: pic: The Fighting Rednecks
Here are a couple of thoughts from a mentor whose entire family works at a family-owned feed and milling company here in the Austin area.
This is a stereotype that I have worked 'against' for many years regarding involving the community, the businesses, and the families/students in FIRST Robotics.
The image is a stereotype and the name is a stereotype. How is that going to play during recruitment? How is that going to play when interacting with teams from around the world, on a global playing field? How is that going to play during the scholarship application process for colleges and universities?
A redneck is a redneck. A redneck image is a redneck image. I have tremendous respect for farmers and ranchers and their impact on communities and beyond. This image and name is one that is limiting rather than providing opportunities for unlimited potential. It is a caricature.
As I said, my family is steeped in the community of farmers, ranchers, and good hard-working people. Just the type that will thrive on an FRC team. Don't let the name or the image thwart that possibility.
.02
Jane
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Excellence is contagious. ~ Andy Baker, President, AndyMark, Inc. and Woodie Flowers Award 2003
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
~ Helen Keller (1880-1968)
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Focus on solving the problem, not on being deliberately creative. If you effectively solve the problem, creativity is naturally leveraged as part of finding a great solution. - Jim Zondag [more] 
31-01-2009, 19:26
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