Retain or Retire the Vestavia Hills Rebel Mascot: A Conversation on Race and Tradition

Charleston. Rachel Dolezal. The Confederate Flag.

Conversations on race are occurring nationwide, and in an Alabama city of 34,000, Sauron's gaze has landed on the Vestavia Hills Rebels.

Vestavia was established in 1950. The median household income is about $87,154, and 90.4% of the population is White.

1. Don't change a thing. Go Rebels.
2. Change the caricature; retain the name. Go Rebels.
3. Change the name; change the image.

Those pro-status quo cite history and tradition; history, in that we shouldn't run from the past, and tradition, in that the rebel man is an icon that has represented the school and community for many years. Some folks in the middle accept that the mascot may be controversial and are willing to compromise in the spirit of inclusivity. Others who support the middle solution, find the name and image offensive, but are willing to meet half way, for the greater good. The most change-focused individuals suggest the name and image are offensive, and thus, we should make wide-sweeping adjustments. Press the reset button.

Personally, I'd like to see option 2 or 3 implemented. I've been a Vestavia resident for three years, and although the community isn't perfect, there is a lot of good here. However, for one of the state's top high schools to have a confederate soldier as a mascot feels antagonistic. Yes, I understand the argument that we should honor our soldiers, but when I think of a soldier defending life and liberty, I think of a Patriot, a military representation, but one without labels linked to a war based upon the notion that those of us who aren't White are of lesser stock.

• A safe and nurturing environment
• The courage to be creative
• Unparalleled community support
• Appreciation of diversity
• Multiple paths to a bold future."

Within this is a commitment to take action to create a non-discriminatory and diverse environment. Proponents makes statements such as "I have never seen or heard about racism of any type." I accept that this person hasn't encountered racism, but I have. Other proponents have commented on John Archibald's piece on al.com with statements which could be summarized as ranging from 1. Get over it, 2. It's not a big deal, and 3. The confederate soldier is a not a racially discriminatory representation. I politely beg to differ. From these forums, I've also heard that the Rebel name was in response to breaking away from another school system. Assuming that to be true, what is the issue with option 2?

I believe that most folks involved in this conversation know that having a confederate soldier represent Vestavia Hills High School may make racial and ethnic minorities in our community uncomfortable. Furthermore, citing the notion that minority students have embraced the imagery without dissent is not considering the full landscape. Are we, as adults, suggesting that a group of high schoolers that comprises less than 4% of the city's population (African Americans) should speak up, when at that age, most kids simply want to fit in, which often means not rocking the boat?

The irony is that in asking for change, many of us are being rebellious, keeping in the spirit of Vestavia Hills. Regardless of the outcome, I know many residents stand with me in unwavering support for the education being provided, the teachers, and the staff of the Vestavia Hills educational system.

Dr. Henna Budhwani is an Assistant Professor in the University of Alabama's Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, with a secondary appointment in the African American Studies program. Dr. Budhwani is the Deputy Director of the UAB Sparkman Center for Global Health and an Associate Scientist with the UAB Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center.