Arlington’s Martin High wants to remove Native American mascot. Some petition to keep it
Arlington’s James Martin High School is removing the Native American depiction from its logo in an effort to be more culturally sensitive. But not everybody is happy about it.
The move, which Principal Marlene Roddy said in a letter to the high school community will adapt the school to modern standards of cultural sensitivity, has sparked a petition on Change.org to save the mascot. It gained more than 1,000 signatures in less than a day.
“Current MHS principal, Marlene Roddy, has sent a letter to current staff, parents and students notifying the “rocking’ M” will be the only logo moving forward to promote “model cultural awareness and sensitivity in today’s world,” Kandy Tuinunga, the author of the petition, wrote on the website.
Vickie Kelly, one person who signed the petition, wrote in the comments that the mascot is “a symbol of strength and unity and courage and bravery.”
Roddy wrote in her letter, however, that removing the headdress is an effort to “reflect the highest values of our society and to also honor and respect all cultures.”
Roddy wants students to submit their own graphic design interpretations of a warrior. One of those student designs could become the new face of the high school.
Officials with the school district and Martin High School did not immediately respond to request for comment. As of 2:30 p.m. Thursday, the logo was still on the school’s website.
Students will remain Warriors and the second trademark of the school, the “Rockin’ M,” will remain a symbol of the institution. The name will continue to stand for a modern warrior, according to the letter.
Roddy wrote that the Warriors will reflect modern-day characteristics associated with the term: persistence, grit, determination and championship for the team and others.
Members of a James Martin High School alumni page on Facebook have been debating the logo since the change was announced Wednesday. Some say it is cultural appropriation while others say the mascot is not meant to be offensive and should stay.