NAACP Calls On Arlington To Change High School Mascot

ARLINGTON, MA — The local branch of the NAACP is calling on Arlington to change the high school's mascot, saying it mocks indigenous people. In a July 13 letter, Mystic Valley Area Branch President Zane Crute said Arlington, whose high school nickname is the Spy Ponders, and Winchester, whose high school nickname is the Sachems, should "get ahead of pending state level legislation on mascots and the state flag and seal."

"Along with the purge of Confederate symbols, the NAACP and Network for Social Justice believe that it is time to end the mockery and stereotyping of Indigenous peoples through the use of mascots," Crute wrote.

Spy Ponders refers to Spy Pond in Arlington and the mascot's logo of a kneeling Native American is meant to honor indigenous history, according to the high school website. Sachems refers to Native American chiefs.

Crute's letter came as the NFL's Washington Redskins announced they would change their name. So far a new name for the team has not been announced.

While discussion about Arlington's mascot is ongoing, the School Committee last week joined more than 30 other school districts in adopting an antiracism resolution. The resolution states that "all the school districts in the Commonwealth must guarantee that racist practices are eradicated, and diversity, equity and inclusion is embedded and practiced for our students, families, faculty and staff," YourArlington reported.

It also acknowledges that "all lives cannot matter until Black lives matter."