HYANNIS — The Barnstable High School Red Raider mascot is no more.
The Barnstable School Committee voted Wednesday night to retire the mascot, but it was not a unanimous decision. Members Joseph Nystrom, Barbara Dunn and Kathy Bent voted in favor, while Chairman Michael Judge and Stephanie Ellis abstained.
After the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis, a group calling itself BHS for Change launched an effort earlier this summer advocating for a more culturally diverse curriculum at the high school.
In an open letter sent to school and district administration, the group also called for scrapping the Red Raider mascot and the immediate elimination of the school’s signature “Have a Red Raider Day” greeting.
Through the years the school logo has evolved from the profile of a Native American to a capital “B” with feathers that includes the words “Pride, Respect, Honor.”
“We suggest that the district continue to demonstrate such openness and consider other mascot options altogether,” the letter stated.
“The district and BHS cannot fully provide support for marginalized Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities if the mascot of the district is one that appropriates and disrespects a culture,” the letter said.
The letter, posted on change.org, had been signed by more than 1,760 alumni and members of the community as of Wednesday afternoon.
North Quincy High School, which also goes by the Red Raiders with an Native American caricature, also is in the process of changing its mascot.
The Hanover School Committee unanimously voted Wednesday to retire the high school’s “Indians” mascot a week after hearing from local Native Americans, students and school staff who wanted the mascot changed. The current logo is an “H” with a Native American war bonnet, or headdress, draped over it.
“It came down to intention versus impact,” said Leah Miller, chairperson of the school committee. “Yes, I totally believe when this mascot was named and brought forward, the intention was to honor Native Americans. The difference is what I’ve learned over these last couple of weeks is the impact of that decision, regardless if the intent was well.”
Superintendent Matthew Ferron said the next step will be working with Matthew Paquette, the principal of Hanover High School, in a process that will involve feedback from both students and the community in coming months.
As officials work to get students and staff back in school for in-person classes and discussion, Ferron said the district would work to come up with a mascot and “symbolic representation that moves us into the next phase of what Hanover is and where we’re going.”
Miller said the school has not allocated any money at this time for future rebranding, which would cost an estimated $100,000 if done all at once, according to a July 10 letter from Ferron and Miller.