Email from BERNARD SANDERS United States Senator

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders <Senator@sanders.senate.gov>
12:00 PM (8 minutes ago) 

to me

Dear  Ms. Wood: 

Thank you for contacting me regarding efforts to change the name and imagery of the Rutland High School (RHS) mascot, as well as make changes to the school’s curriculum. I appreciate you writing to me about these efforts, especially in light of the Black Lives Matter protests and our country’s continued fight against inequality. 

I am heartened to see young people in our state take action in their local communities to address the pervasive bigotry within American society. Vermont is not immune to systemic racism, and acknowledging and addressing Vermont’s history of racism is crucial for ensuring the safety and respect of Black people, indigenous people, and people of color in our state. This work at RHS is an important part of that. 

As you likely know, as one of your two United States Senators, I do not have a say over local decisions like the name and imagery of school mascots. That said, I am supportive of this hard work to change the RHS community for the better. We must work together, at all levels of government and society, in order to root out racism and create a more equitable and sustainable future. 

Thank you again for contacting me, and please feel free to stay in touch about this or any other subject of interest to you. For up-to-date information on what I am working on, please sign-up for my e-newsletter, the Bernie Buzz, at https://www.sanders.senate.gov/contact/newsletter-signup

Sincerely,

BERNARD SANDERS
United States Senator