A Pennsylvania school board voted Thursday to reinstate an old mascot portraying a Native American in a racist fashion.
A resident of Native descent denounced the logo, calling it “ignorant” to local tribes: “You have no idea what you are sharing, and you have no idea what you are doing when it comes to our culture. It is offensive and ignorant. You are not Native. You do not know the culture. The culture takes a lifetime to learn and understand. You have to be immersed within us to know us … The logo is identity theft of the Susquehanna, and you do not have their permission to use the symbol of their culture and religion. You cannot consult with them because they are gone — because of your ancestors that brought disease and colonization that caused death and misery. Why would they want you representing them? Respect to the Susquehanna is to leave them alone and let them rest in peace.”
The Southern York County School District voted 7-2 to bring back the racist logo for Susquehannock High School.
A previous board had retired the logo in 2021.
