Concerned former students of Sweetwater Union High School District call on board members to vote to eliminate all mascots and images that uphold racial stereotypes and ideas of white supremacy.

Having mascots, such as "Aztecs" and "Mayans", is problematic when unaccompanied by real efforts to incorporate ethnic studies in educational curriculum. "Red devils", is unacceptable as a mascot as it has historically been used as a racial slur toward Native American individuals.

When the only representation for Indigenous students comes from racist caricatures, we have a serious problem. Native Americans face the highest suicide rates in the nation. They also have the highest high school dropout rates. It is evident schools are not providing the spaces for students to thrive.

If SUHSD is truly committed to racial justice, it will make an effort to do better by not just eliminating symbols and statements with racist histories, but also by centering curriculum and programs to represent, uplift, and support Black, Indigenous, and students of color.