Editorial: Why the eagle is on the logo
- Chuck Thompson
- Sep 2, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 3, 2025
In previous columns, I explained why I started The Independent, but never the reason for the logo. I apologize; I thought if this news blog survived its one year anniversary, I would explain it then, to anyone slightly curious, but I have had several inquires already, and some that just made up a reason themselves.
It's time you heard it directly form the source.
Some have messaged me that they think the use of an eagle makes my site a political news site trying to make a statement. These opinions are wrong.
How can an opinion be wrong if it's just an opinion? Because we're dealing with facts here.
If you do think the logo is politically motivated, then for what side? The eagle was chosen as the bird to represent the USA by people from different political parties, so to assume it represents one or the other would be confidently arrogantly wrong. In 1782, the Second Continental Congress chose the eagle to represent the United States and those guys couldn't agree on much. Fast-forward to 2024 when the Biden Administration was the one that made the eagle the official bird of America, officially. But in social culture, according to left-wing groups, it's stereotypical to associate the eagle with Republicans and conservatives. You don't have to like it, or you can love it, but that's the facts.
The eagle is on The Great Seal; who does that represent? It's important to know history.
Eagles embody strength, courage, and freedom; yes, that is why congress chose to put it on the Great Seal, but that's not the whole story for The Shelby Independent's logo...
While I was in South Dakota, I learned a lot I didn’t know about the eagle. Mostly what it represented to the Lakota people, steeped in history, bravery and wisdom.
"To the Lakota, the eagle (wanbli) is a powerful sacred symbol representing a messenger to the Creator, embodying strength, wisdom, courage, and freedom. The soaring flight of the eagle symbolizes the ability to rise above problems and achieve clarity of vision."
Did you catch that — “Rise above problems and achieve clarity of vision”
The problem we’re facing is one-sided agenda-driven news which has plagued Cleveland County for much of this century. To achieve clarity of vision for the reader is what The Shelby Independent’s own vision is: to deliver the news free of agenda / narrative, to allow the reader to decide and reach a clear understanding of any issue on their own.
A Sacred Messenger: The eagle's ability to fly high makes it a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds, carrying prayers and messages to the Great Spirit.
The Shelby Independent's use of the eagle represents this news site as the messenger to you, the people. News is meant to send the information from the event to the people so they are informed. While there’s nothing sacred about The Independent, honest news is sacred — untouched and incorruptible from the source to the reader.
I believe the job of the messenger of news should hold his or her job as a sacred act, to not pollute, manipulate nor interfere with the truth of the event in the written (or spoken) word.
Sign of Acceptance: The presence of an eagle during a prayer session can signify that a prayer has been accepted by the Creator.
I hope that The Shelby Independent will be accepted by the residents of Cleveland County and accept the news that is passed from the event to the reader as fair and accurate.
A symbol of honor, achievement and privilege: Eagle feathers are given to honor significant achievements or virtues, such as wisdom, generosity, fortitude, courage, and leadership.
The Shelby Independent is honored to be your messenger, your entertainment and your voice. It is a privilege to deliver you the news.
Responsibility: Receiving an eagle feather is not just an honor but also carries the responsibility to uphold values and serve as a role model for others.
The Shelby Independent has a huge responsibility to uphold the values of news media as it was intended, and serve as a platform of free news and set an example to follow.
Qualities embodied by the eagle are strength and courage: The eagle is considered the strongest and bravest of all birds, making it a symbol of ultimate bravery.
To create the Shelby Independent, or any alternate news site, in a world full of corporate media with deep pockets and years of connections, to start a new news media outlet and accept the responsibility of writing what really happened, to stand up for the people that have been ignored, insulted and betrayed by the mainstream media they once trusted, definitely takes courage and can either be looked as brave or insane. But strength and courage (and a lot of desperate prayers) are needed to create an all-new news media platform (in the tradition ideals of journalism) in this day and age of loud voices, cancel culture, and deep corporate pockets influencing social culture and manipulating minds.
Wisdom and vision: The eagle's ability to see far and wide represents foresight, clarity, and the ability to maintain a broad outlook on life.
I pray for wisdom and clear sight everyday (and also to sell another advertisement) to keep this site going and true to its purpose. I hope that I can be wise enough to relay the news in a fair way; and for the readers, like you, to see the vision of why The Shelby Independent is needed in today’s world.
And last but not least,
Freedom: The eagle symbolizes the freedom to rise above challenges and live life to its fullest potential.
The font used in the logo, is "TS Country C NP." I chose the font to represent the down-home way of doing things - the old-timey font is a reminder that the news once was just what happened, without omission, interjection, manipulation or agenda; something that is lost in today's world.
There are a magnitude of challenges when starting a news site out of thin air, such as earning credibility, staying afloat financially, getting local government agencies to take your calls, having someone reply to your emails and just something as simple as actually adding you to their emailing PR list. It's a big challenge to show up and expect to be treated as professionally as if your news publication has been around 100 years, but The Shelby Independent has the freedom others do not - no corporate influence, no social agenda, no manipulation of the news: INDEPENDENT of the mainstream media.
Thank you for reading The Shelby Independent. It's readers like you, and our advertisers / sponsors, that make this site possible.
Local people. Local news. Free. The way it should be.
Much appreciated,
Chuck Thompson
Reporter / founder
The Shelby Independent
Follow The Shelby Independent on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. To contact Chuck about a story idea, send an email or visit the contact page.
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