More than 150 years after the end of the Civil War, and 50 years after Hephzibah High started admitting black students, we ask that the Richmond County School District change the Hephzibah High's "Rebels" mascot. No more children should be asked to honor the Confederate States of America to express school pride.

America is in a moment of deep racial reflection. In recent months, a diverse group of Americans has led nationwide protests emphasizing that enough is enough. Contemporaneously, across the nation, American institutions are seeking to untether themselves from our nation’s legacy of chattel slavery and apartheid.  During this moment, calls for removing racist symbols are now being heard. Decision makers are poised to change the names of buildings that honor Confederate slave owners.  Hundreds of Confederate statues and monuments have been torn down.

As we sadly know, there are so many other hurtful symbols that need to be changed, removed, replaced and renamed immediately. These symbols harm our spirit, blind us to the brutality of our history, and, in some instances, rob students of their right to enjoy their high-school experience.  The “Rebels” mascot at Hephzibah High School is one such symbol.  It is past time for it to change.

Recognizing this, other schools across the country have changed their mascot from the Rebels in recent years. In Union County, N.C., on July 7, the Board of Education voted to change Parkwood High School’s Rebels mascot. On June 18, Fairfax High School in Virginia changed its mascot from the Rebels to the Lions.  That same day, Richland High School, Quartz Hill High School and Walpole High all changed their mascot from the Rebels. 

These changes recognize the obvious: Students should not be asked to celebrate the Confederacy to express school pride. The Rebels took up arms against U.S. troops. And if those Rebels had their way, African American students would be slaves. We urge the Richmond County Board of Education to part with this ghost of human bondage and treason.