It’s not hard to see why the word squaw or savage is offensive. But chief or brave? How about fighting Irish, or Celtics, or Highlanders? What about the cowboys?

The Oregon Board of Education is considering a proposal to require Oregon schools to eliminate all Native American mascots and logos.

That would be a mistake.

The proposal asserts the “harmful impacts of racial stereotyping of sports mascots in the social identity development and self-esteem of Native American young people.” It claims that “research findings link the use of Native American symbols as mascots, logos and team names and the detrimental effect on the achievement, education, self-concept, and self-esteem of Native American students …”

We have no argument with the need to remove truly offensive names as mascots or any other use. The problem is in defining what is offensive.

This proposal would declare offensive all uses of Native American references. That goes too far.

Words like chief and brave and warrior speak to admirable qualities of courage, strength and leadership. Many would see them as honoring Native Americans.

Indeed, at least one proponent of the ban would exempt tribal schools: the Chemawa Indian School’s Braves and the Siletz Valley School’s Warriors. Apparently the words are only offensive if a non-Indian school uses them.

Clearly, what is offensive is open to interpretation, which is the problem with such a blanket ban.

We like the example of Roseburg, where the high school mascot is the Indians. The school consulted with the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and eliminated its warrior logo and other imagery to satisfy concerns, according to a report in The Oregonian. But they are still the Indians.

The newspaper quoted tribe spokesperson Susan Ferris, who praised the cooperation between the school and tribe, and expressed concerns about the state getting involved. She worried such a ruling “doesn’t provide for the considered thoughtfulness that would create solid change.”

In some communities, mascot names are part of the community fabric, and changing them would have social as well as financial consequences. Those who find them offensive should work with local officials to express their concerns. Let Roseburg’s example be a model and keep statewide rulings out of the picture.