Tonight, the Oklahoma County City School Board (Oklahoma City is located in Oklahoma County) voted 8-0 to drop the "Redskins" mascot for the Capitol Hill High School, which had been used since 1927.
Board chair Lynne Hardin said she was among many who grew up in OKC without viewing the name as offensive.
“But once you know, you can’t go back,” Hardin said.
Four Native American students told the board during Monday’s meeting they were in favor of changing the name and over half of the standing-room-only crowd stood in support of the students after they spoke. The OKC school district’s student population is four percent Native American.
Hardin said that a committee will be formed to find a new name that will honor Native Americans.
From reports, there was little drama, and those who opposed the change took their loss calmly and rationally.
Tonight I am proud of my county city school board officials, and those who raised this issue, especially the Native American students and those who attended the meeting to support them.