Also, for those who might not read the story, Boone County started this change a year ago. This is not in reaction to recent events.

I remember when I was graduating in 2002 they were in talks to change the mascot all together but nothing ever came of it. Im sad to see "MR. REBEL" retired! I did hear this morning that they will be talking about changing the nickname again!

I hate this

For what it is worth two teachers I know at Boone have told me this is nothing but a grab to be "in the news".

New 'Rebels' logo replaces Confederate mascot at Boone Co. High School

New 'Rebels' logo replaces Confederate mascot at Boone Co. High School

 

That's the same link as we got up in post #24.

Gutless!

Gutless!

 

Gutless for changing their logo?

WoW - How sad...

Gutless for changing their logo?

 

Yes

WoW - How sad...

 

I'd say it bums me out a little. But I don't really have much association with my high school anymore.

Yes

 

Is it gutless, or is it showing well thought out prudence and forward thinking?

Is it gutless, or is it showing well thought out prudence and forward thinking?

Gutless, to let a bunch of crybaby snowflakes intimidate you into removing history of your school!

Gutless, to let a bunch of crybaby snowflakes intimidate you into removing history of your school!

 

Boone County High School started using the rebel mascot in the mid-1950s - right after Brown v. Board of Education decision essentially kicked off the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Some current-day Boone County residents try to explain it away by saying it had to do with the James Dean "Rebel Without A Cause" movie character, but the fact is, the school chose to adopt a mascot that was a pretty clear depiction of a Confederate rebel, and unquestionably not a 1950s greaser like the one played by James Dean in the movie. So, in a time when the absolute hottest topic in the United States was race relations and civil rights, Boone County High School chose to manifest their school spirit with a warrior who fought to keep blacks enslaved by whites. That's a pretty damn straightforward statement if you ask me.

 

As for historical significance, Boone County IS known for its residents who assisted escaped slaves as a last stop before crossing the Ohio River to the free north. When it comes to the "Confederate rebel" history of Boone County, there just really wasn't a whole lot there until some bigoted white folks came along in the mid-1950s and felt inspired to name their school's mascot in honor of racial prejudice.

 

So.....are you saying people are a bunch of crybaby snowflakes for wanting to leave behind racial prejudice that was plainly established in the mid-20th century?