True Colors Shining Through: The Multidimensional Red & White
By Julie Perine on June 17, 2012
I wanted to wear the red and white since I was probably about 10 years old. At first, my sites were set on being a Pop Warner cheerleader. Well, I wasn’t agile enough for that, but I soon discovered other ways to be active with the tribe up through my middle and high school years.
And as I had anticipated, the thrills came – whether it was sitting in the stands with the Bridgeport Jr. High Pep Club or marching across the football field as a BHS majorette.
Back then, it seemed to be about a united effort to support ball teams, marching bands and other school- and community-related groups.
And, it was.
But it wasn’t too long before I could see a little deeper into the meaning of Indian pride. Yeah, we strive to win, but it’s not just about capturing first place in a band competition or football championship.
Each and every Girl Scout outing, band trip and competition, every athletic event and fund-raiser for school athletics was supported to the max by folks directly involved – and those not so directly involved. Community members standing together for the betterment of others is pretty commendable, I think.
As years went on, I attended high school reunions and got involved with the different ways my own kids were driven to be part of the tribe – be it through baseball, cheerleading or student council. Every effort was a niche in the totem pole, another feather in the collective headdress. Way cool.
And wouldn’t you know it, yet another dimension of Bridgeport’s colors and mascot became apparent to me. There was a reason braves and warriors were in the forefront. This was a community which was fearless when it came to fighting against illness and misfortune of our neighbors.
It was a place where people band together to see their own through months of hospitalization following a near-deadly car accident and send cards pouring into homes of those who tragically lost loved ones. It’s a place where people find ways to raise money for families burned out of their houses or who come together by the masses to support a 5K, elimination dinner or other powwow which targets a cause in which we are directly involved – or not so directly involved.
I’ve only had the opportunity grow up in one hometown, but it’s one which made a lasting impact on me. Sure, other cities have similar bonds and wear their own special colors. But this is our community – black and white and red all over.
It’s a good place to be and a good place to which to relocate. The more, the merrier. Everyone has a way to contribute and, in turn, reap the benefits of a connected, hard-working town.
And we know that for various reasons, folks have to leave here. But once an Indian, always an Indian. I don’t think anyone would dispute that.
I guess what I’m saying is that we don’t have to dip our paintbrush into colors which play psychological mind games and paint a picture of an open-armed, Disneyland community – one where the welcome wagon rolls and people live happily ever after.
We already have a great place – not a perfect one, by any means – but one where we show our true colors to meet united goals.
The red and the white - ok, with a little basic black thrown in for good measure - are colors not only worthy of community representation, but ones to wear and display with pride, from one end of the community spectrum to the other.
Kudos to City Council and supporters for seeing beneath the mere surface of the red and white.
It just makes sense, perfect Indian pride sense.
Julie, I am so thrilled that you stuck with the true "Red & White" theme of the Bridgeport True Colors. Somewhere along the line someone thought it would be cool to throw in "black" [for whatever reason]. My husband, Jim, and I both are die-hard Bridgeporters and Alumni and we say "Red and White" , alone and proud! So, back off the black, please. Debbie Hooper Kinney
Posted by Debbie Hooper Kinney
Jun. 24, 2012 at 3:06 PM EST
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