PLEASE-NO NEED TO DONATE AT THIS TIME! 

The goal of this initiative is to demonstrate solidarity and strengthen our community by removing all instances of Confederate references from Fairfax High School.

Fairfax is a strong community known for excellent schools. As a community, we are well-situated to show our pride and commitment to our students and teachers by finishing an initiative that began over 30 years ago. 

In 1987, “Johnny Reb” was removed as the official mascot of Fairfax High School, in addition to other Confederate references (e.g., banning the waving of the Confederate flag at school events, renaming the "Confederettes" drill team). Despite officially changing the high school mascot to a lion in 2004, however, school messaging continues to carry racist overtones (e.g., The Marching Rebels, Rebel Pride).

The impact on our students is substantial: 

"I spent four years being forced to wear “rebel pride” merchandise as a black woman while everyone around me pretended like it wasn't still racist because we switched out the confederate with a lion. It was humiliating and invalidating, and I’ve been waiting for the day they finally get rid of it forever for what seems like my whole life."

"I’d love to see a motion to change the mascot. I think it would make me prouder of my high school/team. I’ve been asked before why my high school was the “rebels” and it is not something I wanted to explain as I didn’t want to justify its use." 

"I remember wearing a Fairfax Rebels shirt while hiking on vacation once and getting some looks and raised eyebrows. I had never really thought much about the true meaning of “Rebel” because I just knew Fairfax as the lions. But after hearing too many jokes about it and seeing other schools change their similar mascots, it needs to go. It truly does make the school look worse."

We must finish the long overdue “phasing out" of Confederate references (consistent with other schools in our​ area and around the country). 

Fortunately, this is an easy fix- something that we can achieve by actions such as:

• renaming the school mascot from the "Rebel Lion" to the "Lions"
• changing the school motto from "Rebel Pride" and "Home of the Rebels" to "Lion Pride" and "Home of the Lions"
• removing "rebel" from new printing of school materials (e.g., school merchandise such as t-shirts) and the school website
• changing school cheers, chants, and team/organization names that contain "rebel" to "lions"
• removing other instances of "rebel" from school grounds as a natural part of school upkeep (e.g., repainting)
• changing other instances of "rebel" to "lion" in the community (e.g., renaming "Rebel Run" to "Lion's Den")

Please support this initiative to remove all instances of Confederate references from Fairfax High School, consistent with FHS's vision and commitments.

Can't hide that Lion Pride!

*It has just come to our attention today that change.org is requesting donations when you sign this Letter of Support. This donation would fund change.org, not our efforts.