This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
School Still Has Offensive Arab Mascot In 2013
It looks like it's not just the NFL drawing controversy anymore when it comes to team names. Coachella Valley High School's use of an Arab mascot has garnered attention from a rights group that says the character stereotypes Arabs as angry people with beards and large noses.
Classy.
The high school's sports teams are dubbed the "Arabs," according to Al Jazeera. The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee wrote a letter to the school this month arguing the name plays on hurtful misconceptions.
"The continued use of the 'Arab' mascot perpetuates demeaning stereotypes of Arabs and Arab Americans. Coachella Valley High School’s gross stereotyping cannot be tolerated," the organization said in a statement.
The group has has launched a public campaign to get the school to drop its “Arabs” nickname, along with its swarthy, kaffiyeh-wearing mascot -- and its “genie dance” featuring a belly dancer. The petition essentially argues there is no room for this type of insensitivity in 2013 (the ADC notes the high school is the only one of its kind with a team name of "Arabs").
The controversy comes at a time when the use of ethnic team names and mascots is at the forefront of national debate -- a campaign to change the NFL's Washington Redskins' name was launched earlier this year. American Indians and others have long argued the Redskins name is racist and insensitive.
Marita Rango, deputy superintendant for the Coachella Valley school, said it was working with the rights group on the issue.
Sponsored message
Watch the “genie dance” at a school basketball game below:
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
