In light of movements toward racial justice, with many organizations and corporations changing the face of the brands, we demand the Serra High School's mascot be changed from the Conquistador. 

This mascot is tied to violence and oppression of native populations, something the students and staff of Serra High in San Diego 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 (1)."

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 Serra: accepting, strong, curious, and anti-racist.

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

(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genocide_of_indigenous_peoples#:~:text=Spanish%20colonization%20of%20the%20Americas,-See%20also%3A%20Encomienda&text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%20during,genocide%20of%20the%20modern%20era

(2) https://www.thoughtco.com/the-spanish-conquistadors-2136564

(3) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/15/us/conquistador-onate-albuquerque-new-mexico-unrest.html

(4) https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/spains-colonial-rule-has-left-marks-mexico