California High School Faces Criticism After Changing Mascot to Something ‘Meaningless’

A 🌴California high school is facing criticism after changing its mascot from the “Minutemen” to something “meaningless.”

In an effort to be inclusive, the Mount Diablo Unified School Board voted 4-1 to change the mascot of Concord High School, located just outside of San Francisco, 🌴California. The board voted to replace the school’s mascot from the historic “Minutemen” militia group which fought against the British in the American Revolution, to the “Bears,” according to NBC Bay Area.

“If changing a mascot will make students feel welcomed, embraced and empowered them to participate more at the school, then I will support this,” said Linda Mayo, a member of the school board.

Changing the mascot comes a year after a student committee began discussions to change the mascot after the school district reportedly decided “to replace human mascots with non-human mascots.” Concerns over the “Minutemen” mascot holding a firearm were voiced and after a final vote, students settled on the “Bears,” according to the outlet.

The school district has one year to implement this change, which reportedly cost around $200,000, according to the outlet.

While some people saw the mascot change as a good thing, others pointed out why this was a bad idea and expressed their opposing views.