In DeKalb County, a high school's mascot change signals a shift towards greater cultural sensitivity in educational spaces. Cross Keys High School, where the student body is predominantly Hispanic, will retire the "Indians" mascot in favor of a new, inoffensive emblem - the Phoenix. The change comes after concerns were raised about the former mascot’s potential to offend and perpetuate stereotypes of Indigenous people.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, the DeKalb County School Board gave the official nod to the change on Monday, ending a selection process that began back in April 2023. This decision, aimed at better reflecting the school's diverse community and promoting inclusivity, was influenced by the fact that, the term "Indian" can be problematic in certain Spanish dialects, noted Chief Equity Officer Triscilla Weaver in a letter to the board.
A committee tasked with overseeing the mascot's rebranding considered various options, eventually narrowing it down to three candidates. The top three contenders were the Phoenix, the Chameleons, and the Rattlers. A community vote, including inputs from students, staff, parents, and alumni, decided the school's new symbol. The Phoenix emerged victorious in a demonstration of "strong community interest," Weaver added, as per FOX5 Atlanta.
The move by Cross Keys High School is the latest in a series of name changes among educational institutions confronting their historical representation. As The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported, these changes are part of a broader effort to avoid racist ties, including the Atlanta school board's decision to rename Henry W. Grady High School to Midtown High School in 2020 and Turner County High School's mascot change in 2021. Moreover, in professional sports, teams like the Washington Commanders and the Cleveland Guardians have also undertaken name changes for similar reasons.
Board member Whitney McGinniss expressed that the school would collaborate with students and local artists to design the new logo, aligning with the planned major renovations at Cross Keys High. The associated costs of the mascot change, such as new signage, will be integrated into the renovation budget. This systemic pivot underscores an emerging consciousness within DeKalb County and beyond, where symbols and naming traditions are examined through a contemporary lens of diversity and inclusivity. Importantly, less than 1% of students in Georgia's third-largest school district are American Indian, underscoring a demographic shift that supports a shift in the school's represented ethos.
