New York Village Changing Logo That Was Butt of Jokes by ‘Daily Show'

The upstate New York village of Whitesboro has confirmed that it will change its official logo a day after the image, which appears to show a white man throttling an Indian, was ridiculed on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show."

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 announcement came after "The Daily Show" aired a segment Thursday that was filmed on Jan. 11, when villagers decided in a non-binding vote to keep the traditional logo for its historic value. Among alternative designs put before voters were several provided by the comedy show, including a white man and an Indian apparently dancing and a white settler and an Indian beating up a British soldier.

O'Connor said the long-time village seal shows a historic wrestling match between village founder Hugh White and an Oneida Indian that figured into good relations between early settlers and the Oneidas. The crudely drawn seal has drawn media attention periodically over the years, most recently in July when someone posted an online petition saying it's offensive and should be removed from village trucks, police cars and signs.

O'Connor said the new seal will preserve history with a more modern and culturally appropriate drawing.

"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.

No timetable was given for making the change. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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