Houston ISD OKs policy that bans some mascots

Four HISD campuses will have to adopt new mascots after the school board gave final approval Thursday to a policy banning certain nicknames such as the Redskins.

The proposal from Superintendent Terry Grier drew some debate among students, alumni and community members, but the change puts the school district in line with others nationwide that have retired mascots tied to Native Americans.

Specifically, the new Houston Independent School District policy bans nicknames deemed offensive or culturally insensitive. District leaders said the affected mascots are the Lamar High Redskins, the Westbury High Rebels, the Hamilton Middle School Indians and the Welch Middle School Warriors.

The school principals will have the next several months to work with the community to adopt new mascots, said HISD spokeswoman Tiffany Davila-Dunne. The school board will not have to sign off on the new names.

Grier oversaw the changing of some mascots in his former district in North Carolina, and proposed the policy in Houston with urging from state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston.

Link

Time for more changes to appease the PC crowd. The board doesn't need to approve a new name. Maybe the schools will pick a more controversial one. Or they might just go with Kitties or Bunnies.

Interesting that the super is from NC. Guess no one local was qualified in the board's eyes.

Growing up in Houston, and playing football against two of these schools, this is ridiculous! I'm about 45% American Indian and do not find these mascots appalling.

Get over yourself PC people. Sports are a game, and everyone cannot have the same bunny rabbit mascot. These mascots are chosen because of their perception of strength. That is a compliment. Why is every race, nationality always looking to be victimized!

There is a tremendous amount of tradition involved with these titles. Don't take that away. Are people really that thin skinned or is this just a way to take away any tradition in schools and make our kids not have any pride, association with their past.

The name Rebel from the Westbury team seems more a link to the civil war era. I know an alumni who thinks it is quite silly.