St. Olaf Women's Ultimate Uniforms
Donation protected
Why we're changing our name:
In late October, after meeting with representatives from a campus organization called Celebrate South Asia! and having several discussions with members of its team, the St. Olaf Women’s Ultimate team has decided to officially change its name.
The name ‘Durga’ has been with the team for over 25 years and therefore we understand that this is an emotional loss for current and former players. However, the team sees this as a positive change and is happy to make it.
Durga is a Goddess of the Hindu traditions who has multiple incarnations, who in totality represents true power. Durga restores balance by destroying evil. Within the Hindu traditions, she has immense religious importance. It is offensive for the team to be using the images of ‘Durga’ on team jerseys and team discs because in the Hindu traditions deistic symbols are considered holy. It is also a form of cultural appropriation to utilize a symbol and associate ourselves with a religion and/or culture that is not our own, nor one of which we completely understand the historical and religious significance. This reflects a larger colonial practice of the west excoticizing elements of eastern culture wherein the well-established ideas are perverted from their original meanings for the sake of one’s own narrative/image. As a team, we wish to be sensitive to issues of this nature and believe that changing our name is a necessary step to take.
The St. Olaf Women’s Ultimate team thanks members of their team as well as the representatives from Celebrate South Asia! for educating them on the matter. We appreciate your support and understanding during this time of change.
We need your help!
Because of the name change, both St. Olaf Women's Ultimate teams (A and B) need new uniforms. This is a financial burden for returning members of the team who previously bought full uniforms with the idea that it was an investment that would last them 4 years. Your donation will subsidize what each player has to pay for new their new uniforms.
In late October, after meeting with representatives from a campus organization called Celebrate South Asia! and having several discussions with members of its team, the St. Olaf Women’s Ultimate team has decided to officially change its name.
The name ‘Durga’ has been with the team for over 25 years and therefore we understand that this is an emotional loss for current and former players. However, the team sees this as a positive change and is happy to make it.
Durga is a Goddess of the Hindu traditions who has multiple incarnations, who in totality represents true power. Durga restores balance by destroying evil. Within the Hindu traditions, she has immense religious importance. It is offensive for the team to be using the images of ‘Durga’ on team jerseys and team discs because in the Hindu traditions deistic symbols are considered holy. It is also a form of cultural appropriation to utilize a symbol and associate ourselves with a religion and/or culture that is not our own, nor one of which we completely understand the historical and religious significance. This reflects a larger colonial practice of the west excoticizing elements of eastern culture wherein the well-established ideas are perverted from their original meanings for the sake of one’s own narrative/image. As a team, we wish to be sensitive to issues of this nature and believe that changing our name is a necessary step to take.
The St. Olaf Women’s Ultimate team thanks members of their team as well as the representatives from Celebrate South Asia! for educating them on the matter. We appreciate your support and understanding during this time of change.
We need your help!
Because of the name change, both St. Olaf Women's Ultimate teams (A and B) need new uniforms. This is a financial burden for returning members of the team who previously bought full uniforms with the idea that it was an investment that would last them 4 years. Your donation will subsidize what each player has to pay for new their new uniforms.
Organizer and beneficiary
Tulsa Douglas
Organizer
Northfield, MN
Nathan Engle
Beneficiary