California high school retires controversial 'Arab' mascot
A California high school retired a controversial Arab mascot and a belly-dancing genie after many in the community, including an Arab-American civil rights group, said the mascot represented "gross stereotyping."
The mascot, called "the Arab," did not appear at Coachella Valley High School's football game on last Friday, according to The Desert Sun.
Even though the mascot did not appear at the game, the mascot's image is still prevalent throughout the school and also appears on the school's website.
The Arab mascot had been in existence for more than 80 years. The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee first complained about the mascot by sending a letter to the school last year.
The school plans to keep the "Arabs" nickname, but did agree to redesign the school logo.
- Scooby Axson
