Manasquan High School Alumni For Enlightenment Wants Changes

MANASQUAN – A new group has demanded changes that involve Manasquan School's mascot, among other issues.

The Manasquan High School Alumni for Enlightenment says its mission is to support graduating underrepresented minority students and students who demonstrate a positive sensitivity to and involvement in Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ issues.

Those issues are channeled through scholarship, mentoring opportunities, career panels and leadership training.

Efforts to obtain comment from Manasquan schools were not immediately successful.

The group has targeted the district's Warriors mascot, which shows an image of a Native American.

"We provide an intellectual, cultural, and social network for alumni. In the wake of unprecedented social reforms over the last decade, now is the time to reconnect and reflect on past experiences with classmates. During this time of wide-scale social change, we are happy to provide a platform to facilitate these conversations," the group said.

The group just announced some achievements:

Here are some of the group's demands.

• Replace "the antiquated school mascot and slogan based on stereotypes with one that does not evoke racial imagery."
• Craft a comprehensive curriculum addressing systematic racism in America, gender equality studies, and LGBTQ+ studies.
• Adopt a no-tolerance policy and procedure towards racism, sexism, and homophobia.
• Improve student and staff cultural competency.
• Conduct parent seminars on racism, sexism, and homophobia.
• Train staff on implicit bias.