In light of movements toward racial justice, with many organizations and corporations changing the face of the brands, we demand the Cabrillo High School change its name and mascot.

This mascot is tied to violence and oppression of native populations, something the students and staff of Cabrillo High in Lompoc do not tolerate. We no longer wish to be represented by a figure as part of a colonialist group that has committed murder, torture, and rape, destroyed indigenous landmarks, cultures, and people in acts of physical and cultural genocide, and enslaved indigenous populations. In fact, the Spanish colonization of the Americas is recognized as "the first large-scale act of genocide of the modern era."

Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo may be known as a great explorer, but he was also responsible for the enslavement of indigenous people.  Cabrillo facilitated the import and export of items to Spain and other regions of the New World. He benefited greatly from the encomienda system, an economic practice where indigenous inhabitants of specific areas of land were highly subjugated and expected to pay tribute to Spanish authorities. Cabrillo broke up native families by sending the men to work in the mines and turning over the women and girls to his soldiers and sailors, presumably as slaves. Historians believe Cabrillo may have also taken a native woman as his mistress and sired several children.

By having the Conquistador as our mascot, our school glorifies these abuses and hides the true history of Spanish colonization, and the devastating impact it had on the native peoples of the Americas in the name of white supremacy and financial gain. Celebrating the image of a Conquistador at our school is ignorant, contributes to a culture of racism at our diverse school and city, and it is well past time for a change. 

If approved by local school officials, we will choose to conduct a school-wide survey, in which all students will have the chance to nominate new mascot ideas that truly represent who we are and who we strive to be at Cabrillo High: accepting, strong, curious, and anti-racist.

For more information about the racism and violence associated with Conquistadors and Spanish colonization, use these resources: