HOUSTON – Four local high school and middle schools could see their school mascots go away by year's end.
Houston ISD school leaders released a statement about a policy change that would "correct the longstanding wrong of using Native American images as mascots."
Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier said he has asked trustees to approve the policy putting a ban on mascots or nicknames that use race or ethnicity.
This would retire the Lamar High School Redskins, Hamilton Middle School Indians, Westbury High School Rebels and Welch Middle School Warriors mascots by the end of the school year.
"How is being a Rebel offensive?" asked Anthrecyia Williams, a senior at Westbury High School.
But not all students agree. Chase Williams is a senior at Lamar High School and he thinks their mascot should be changed.
"For several reasons," Williams said. "It might be racist towards other Native Americans."
HISD added in a statement, "The district is providing assistance to principals at those schools to work with their communities to honor the traditions of the old mascots while having new ones in place in time for the opening of school next August."
"We've just never really paid attention to it," said senior Nephyria Franklin. "We're just the rebels."