Walpole Public Schools has long been tainted by the Rebel name. The name itself is associated with "Rebels" in the Civil War who fought for the Confederacy and the perceived "right" of these states to own Black people, abuse and exploit them, and to dehumanize them. 

Walpole Public Schools has, by allowing this racist name and mascot to persist, done a great disservice to its Black students, families, and members of the community who recognize the bloody history behind the name and symbol. 

The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis has brought the attention back to the great injustices done to Black Americans every single day and the least that the Walpole School Committee can do to stand behind Black students is to separate itself from a racist name. As those who pursue justice march in the streets, sign petitions, and donate to worthy causes supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, we stand with them and urge members of the community, those aware of the issue, and the school committee to do the same.

We are advocating for the school committee to change the Rebel name immediately in order to take a step towards righteousness and justice. Though many have opposed this action in the name of school pride and their own personal history with the name, now cannot be the time to take half-measures and appease those with no regard for Black lives and justice.