LEMONT, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A southwest suburban high school is dropping its controversial mascot.
The District 210 Board of Education unanimously voted Monday night to retire Lemont High School's team name and school symbol.
In a statement, District 210 Board President Kurt Korte wrote that the “Indians” name will be discontinued for student activities and athletic teams when the 2021-22 school year begins, CBS 2 reported. The school will also begin phasing out the use of the “LHS Indians” logo.
“Lemont High School students are well prepared for the next stage in their lives and are successful in the classroom, on stage, and on the playing field,” Korte wrote in the statement. “These successes can be attributed to consistent community support, as well as to the Board of Education and school administrators aligning their goals to the district’s mission: ‘For all students to become life-long, independent learners and productive citizens in a rapidly changing world.’”
Korte continued: “The primary responsibility of the Board of Education is to ensure our students are provided with the best educational experience at Lemont High School. It is imperative for our students to learn to think critically in an environment where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.”
The decision was met with backlash from parents and community members.
“It is a joke and it’s a made up controversy,” said one man. “It’s a control thing.”
“I don’t think it’s necessarily that important to keep the name, I think the fact that they’re trying to take it away is the bigger issue,” said another woman.
Others, like Mary Smith, former CEO of the Indian Health Service, told CBS 2 it’s a step in the right direction.
“By using that kind of names and imagery...it’s dehumanizing,” Smith said. “I think the other thing that it perpetuates is that Native Americans are a people of the past.”
There were several threats to vote the board out, but their decision still stands and the name will be dropped next school year.
It’s unclear if and when the school will select a new mascot.
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