Houston superintendent wants schools to drop mascots that may be seen as offensive

Dec. 10, 2013
Terry Grier says some mascots need to be changed out of respect for cultural differences and sensitivities.

Houston School Superintendent Terry Grier has called for the district to retire school mascot names that some may consider offensive. Writing in The Houston Chronicle, Grier says the district must retire "school symbols that no longer reflect the values of who we are--proudly diverse, inclusive, forward-thinking and committed to instilling character and social awareness in our youngsters." The mascot names he says need to be changed are Redskins, Indians, Warriors and Rebels.

"The time has come for the Houston Independent School District...to acknowledge that some decisions made generations ago need to be reconsidered," Grier writes. "Traditions are important. But respect for cultural difference and sensitivities matters more."

Sponsored Recommendations

How to design flexible learning spaces that teachers love and use

Unlock the potential of flexible learning spaces with expert guidance from school districts and educational furniture providers. Discover how to seamlessly integrate adaptive ...

Blurring the Lines in Education Design: K–12 to Higher Ed to Corporate America

Discover the seamless integration of educational and corporate design principles, shaping tomorrow's leaders from kindergarten to boardroom. Explore innovative classroom layouts...

Room to Learn: Furniture Solutions for Education

Preparing students for the future. Utilizing our experience in the education market, we offer a dynamic selection of products that pair technology with furniture to help stimulate...

Transforming Education: A Case Study in Progressive Classroom Design

Discover how Workspace Interiors and the Baldwin School District reshaped learning environments in Long Island, New York, creating pedagogically responsive spaces that foster ...