Shrewsbury High School Mascot Change In Question

SHREWSBURY, MA — Towns across Massachusetts are in the process of removing Native American imagery and symbols, and Shrewsbury Public Schools are wondering if they should follow suit.

Last year, the Shrewsbury School Committee was presented with an online change.org petition requesting that the Shrewsbury High School mascot, the “Colonial,” should be changed due to the perception that it is racially insensitive and that it can be seen as exclusionary and insulting, due to its association with the concept of “colonialism.”

Soon after, a petition to keep the mascot was created.

A group of students and staff conducted a study to see if anyone was in favor of removing or keeping the current mascot, and the ad hoc group could not reach a consensus.

Now a public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday to discuss where the community stands in the matter.

According to a presentation to the School Committee June 9, as reported by Community Advocate, a majority of the 31-person committee favored changing the mascot.

Shrewsbury is just one of many looking to make some mascot changes. Schools around the area with controversial ones have already begun their process of switching mascots.

A report from The Telegram states that Grafton High School is going from Indians to Gators in November, North Brookfield will no longer be known as the Indians, Athol is removing Red Raiders and Algonquin will be forming a study group to review its Tomahawks nickname in December.