New York village changing logo that was butt of jokes

Historical documents with the village logo are on display at the Whitesboro Historical Society.

Village officials and members of the nearby Oneida Indian Nation will meet to discuss creation of a new image, Mayor Patrick O’Connor said Friday.

The Comedy Central program aired a segment Thursday on the village of Whitesboro’s official seal, which depicts a cartoonish scene with a white pioneer with his hands near a Native American’s neck, overpowering him during some sort of tussle.

An upstate village that attracted national attention for sticking behind its controversial seal has made a decision to change course – after some prodding by “The Daily Show“.

“The village officials and the descendants of (Whitesboro founder) Hugh White are getting together with the Oneida Indian Nation to come up with a new seal that makes everyone happy”. But the symbol has drawn criticism from around the country for looking like a white man choking a Native American.

“We solved racism!” Noah said.

The seal appears on village police cars, signs and stationery.

Whitesboro’s seal appears to show a white settler choking an Indian.

During the vote, local resident Sally Creaser said she was taken aback when she arrived at the village hall to cast her vote, thinking it was just a yes-or-no vote on whether to keep the seal or seek an alternative that would be designed after further discussion.

Earlier this month, residents of Whitesboro voted in favour of keeping the crest 157-55 after receiving backlash over “racist and offensive” logo.

“This is but one of many important examples of communities taking welcome steps to be inclusive and promote our region’s commitment to civility”, said Oneida Nation CEO Ray Halbritter in a statement. Among the latest issues, an online petition seeking a redesign of the logo was posted last summer, and through social media it later came to the attention of “The Daily Show“, she explained.