West Monroe Mascot Controversy

What's in a name? Depending on the name, plenty. Names have been the subject of many debates, be they spirited or low key, names can bring out the best and worse in us. Sometimes they can lead to physical fights. People don't always agree with names, especially when that name of something conjures up hurtful memories and pain. It is oftentimes associated with people who have lived their entire lives having to do endure what a certain has meant to generations and how that even in times when one think people has moved on, a name can bring them back to a time that they rather not want to be. Such is the case of a high school mascot's name that for an entire ethic group can't have any pride in what it had meant to past generations. The name of West Monroe High School's mascot is called "The Rebel", a symbol of a confederate soldier who fought against the North in a war that, thereby the grace of God, this nation could have ceased to exist so soon after becoming a new nation in the New World. The citizens of West Monroe had every right to name the school's mascot any name they chose, and naming it the Rebel in a deep south state (La.), wasn't unexpected, as it was named that during the days of segregation. Black kids wasn't even thought of attending white schools, it wasn't allowed, and resistance was fierce. But, as they said, "the times were a 'changing" and the laws of social integration prevailed. For so many Black people, it was about being treated equally in the American way of life, not necessarily wanting to be like their white counterparts because Black people had their own identity. But, even in 2021, Afro-Americans are still finding out that other groups are not willing to lose their identity through integration because the" separate but equal" doctrine was just words on paper. The Ouachita Parish School Board is making sure that, "the more things change, the more they stay the same" when it comes to changing the name of the West Monroe High School mascot. At a February 9, 2021 Tuesday night meeting of the Ouachita Parish School Board, a former school alumni presented a petition along with thousands of signatures to change of the school's mascot. The board has only one Afro-American member and he along, would not have had the support to affect a name change. Even though the board has always been aware of the conflicts that has arisen and probably more to come, they chose to keep the name because of pride. Images of the Confederacy that was displayed at the school has been toned down, but some Black students are still not comfortable on the campus, because "some habits die hard", even though some changes has been made. Though the board said that "imagery to Johnny Reb" has been removed, it can be difficult for Black students to say that they were a "rebel" at a high school in the South. When the football team takes to the field, they would be called the "Fighting Rebels", playing for that rebel pride. And that is probably what define people, how much pride they have in themselves to be what they want to be and to create a lasting legacy. West Monroe High is not about to give that up. The academics are sound at the school and it recognized throughout the state of Louisiana and nationally. It has what is known in academic circles that is called "tradition", something that was lost to many Black schools after integration. The times are probably not conductive for a name change at West Monroe High. It may never come. Black people are not in control. That is not to vilify the white community. Though the school is integrated and some issues may still linger, one must remember that it was and still is considered a "white school" and that southern pride(nothing wrong with that) of what the school means to its citizens and longtime alumni, will ensure that mascot will live on. The fight to change the school's mascot may not be over, but the resistance to a name change is just as strong. Perhaps common ground can be found, but pride, tradition and love of school are tremendous motivating factors to maybe give in a little, but it will be all about the name and nothing more. It is that identity of the name that connects the majority of the community and no one can see a change on the horizon coming anytime soon.

Photo West Monroe Rebels