The Oklahoma City School Board voted unanimously Monday to drop the “Redskins” mascot from Capitol Hill High School effective immediately, drawing a mixed reaction from community members.
Capitol Hill had the mascot for 88 years, according to Tim Willert of NewsOK.com, but students, teachers, and other school administrators attended the board’s meeting Monday night to speak out against its continued existence.
Four Native American students & teacher tell school board they are against Capitol Hill mascot of Redskins. 4% of students are NA #oklaed
— Ben Felder (@benfelder_okg) December 9, 2014
Teacher is reading board’s non-discrimination policy to argue for removal of Redskins mascot at Capitol Hill HS. #oklaed
— Ben Felder (@benfelder_okg) December 9, 2014
We are hearing from the American Indian Organization students and leader speaking against the use of “Redskins” as Capitol Hill HS mascot
— Teach For America OK (@TFAOklahoma) December 9, 2014
Following the board’s vote, Tierney Tinnin, the district’s spokesperson, released the following statement (via KFOR.com):
Oklahoma City Public Schools respects and honors the Native American community and students in our district, state, and nation. The administration will immediately begin eliminating the use of the Redskins mascot and will create a committee of students, alumni and community members to identify a new mascot for Capitol Hill High School before the end of the spring semester.
According to
Ben Felder of the