Southern California high school retires divisive Arab mascot

[TexasTowelie]

Gerry Maceda/The Desert Sun

THERMAL, Calif. — A Southern California high school has retired a controversial Arab mascot.

The bearded, snarling mascot with a large hooked nose who wears a head scarf did not appear at Coachella Valley High School’s season-opening football game on Friday. A belly-dancing genie that often appears with the mascot during halftime was also retired.

The Desert Sun reports (http://desert.sn/1B2qPVZ ) the change was among the steps the Coachella Valley Unified School District is taking to give the mascot a makeover.

The Arab mascot has existed since the 1920s to recognize the desert region’s reliance on date farming, a traditionally Middle Eastern crop. Over the years, the mascot evolved from a turban-wearing horseman carrying a lance to a standing figure with a scowl and a traditional head covering.

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20140831-southern-california-high-school-retires-divisive-arab-mascot.ece

[RadicalGeek]

1. Marvelous

Now if only a high school in my home area with the nickname "Big Red" would retire their Native American Chief logo.. ..

[oldandhappy]

2. excellent!!

How do we get ourselves into these situations ??!! Now maybe they can change being the arabs to being the road runners or something native to where they are.

[Brother Buzz]

3. They canned the cartoon mascot not the name "Arabs"

Who in their right mind would want to give up these cool marching band uniforms?



This is the proposed new mascot the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee is happy with:

[oldandhappy]

4. Guess I will have to change my response to "oh"

[Brother Buzz]

5. The boys from the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine are rejoicing...

and will not boycott the parade.

After all, a parade ain't shit if the Shriners aren't participating. That's a fact, Jack