Karla's Kolumn: Cowboys and firefighters

Much the same way a kneeling NFL player turned many U.S. citizens into strong, outspoken American patriots, a simple slogan change by the University of Wyoming turned many a Wyomingite into strong, outspoken cowboys this week.

The slogan "The World Needs More Cowboys" has caused concern among some at the university who called the slogan racist, sexist and counterproductive to attracting students and faculty from outside Wyoming.

As a Wyoming native and University of Wyoming alum (1990) I read the story when we published it in the Northern Wyoming Daily News and after reading the slogan I didn't understand what the concern was about. I still do not.

One UW coach has said if you have to explain a slogan it is a bad slogan. The fact is it shouldn't need any explanation or any defense.

The world does, in fact, need more cowboys.

Let's first look at the slogan in the simplest of terms. The University of Wyoming's mascot is the cowboy. Everyone who attends UW, whether in athletics or not, proudly considers themselves a University of Wyoming Cowboy.

So saying the "World Needs More Cowboys" means we want more people at the University of Wyoming. It's simple, direct and concise.

Now let's broaden the slogan out to encompass all of Wyoming. Wyoming is the Cowboy State. We have the bucking bronc as our state mascot, it is on our license plates.

It's even part of our official "code." That's right, in 2010 the Wyoming Legislature adopted James P. Owen's Code of the West or Cowboy Ethics. Official legislative action gave us our own official code.

What is that code:

•Live each day with courage.

•Take pride in your work.

•Always finish what you start.

•Do what has to be done.

•Be tough, but fair.

•When you make a promise, keep it.

•Ride for the brand.

•Talk less and say more.

•Remember that some things aren't for sale.

•Know where to draw the line.

Read each code carefully and then explain to me why the world does NOT need more cowboys. Because as I read this code, I would say in fact the world does indeed need more cowboys, more people living by the Code of the West.

The cowboy as we imagine in the old West is the same as the one today -not afraid of a hard day's work, grounded on good, wholesome values, true to their word and living their dream.

UW Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications Chad Baldwin said recently, "Wyoming's and UW's iconic bucking horse and rider, along with the university's Cowboy mascot, show strongly that the state and UW are proud of our Western heritage. The campaign builds upon that heritage and shows that a modern Cowboy can be anyone. A Cowboy isn't what you are, but who you are."

And who are we "cowboys" from the University of Wyoming? We are editors, range managers, weed management specialists, teachers, pharmacists, school administrators, nurses, emergency management directors, engineers and so much more.

"Drawing upon Wyoming's proud heritage, this campaign redefines what it means to be a Cowboy in this day and age, distilling it down to the inner spirit of curiosity and boldness that all who call themselves Cowboys and Cowgirls can identify with - no matter their race or gender, or whether they're students, employees, alumni or other supporters," UW President Laurie Nichols said.

The world, despite what some may think, does need more cowboys - cowboys in all shapes, sizes and professions.

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And speaking of cowboys and the cowboy spirit, how about those firefighters. Firefighters from near and far came to fight the Terek Fire northeast of Worland. Through their intense efforts no structures were lost in the fire event that spread over more than 42,000 acres.

Our local firefighters worked extremely long hours during the fire's initial phase and all the firefighters worked long, hard hours and their efforts are truly appreciated.

If you see a firefighter say thank you. Many of those fighting the fires were from volunteer fire departments that came from our community and neighboring communities. They give up time at home and time from work to help keep our communities safe.

A big thank you to our local, state and national firefighters who helped us here and who will be fighting fires throughout this fire season.

Firefighters exude that cowboy/Wyoming/western spirit by helping their fellow man without expecting anything in return. They help because they can. They help to give back to the community in which they live, they help because by helping a community they are helping a friend and family member at the same time.