Capacity Crowd Turns Out For Vestavia Mascot Forum
An emotional issue across the South and the nation came to a head in Vestavia Hills last night — the debate over symbols related to the Confederacy. The school board held a public forum, partly spurred by residents who want the system to drop its “Rebel” mascot. Listen above or read below. Under the text, you can access audio of the entire meeting. To learn more and listen to analysis by Carsen and WBHM News Director Rachel Lindley, click here.
People gathered in the heat outside the Board of Education building hours before the 6 p.m. school board work session. One of them was Vestavia High graduate and parent Laurie Webster, a rebel mascot supporter:
“All we want is for the students to be respected enough to make the decision themselves,” she says, adding that Vestavia High School students, whom she calls intelligent and “well-versed,” should have the chance to vote on the matter.
“Respect the students” was a familiar refrain — many pro-mascot speakers ended their comments with those words. They also spoke of traditions, and said the mascot was not intended to be racist and isn’t seen that way now.
But speakers on the other side contradicted that, and added that some people — especially students — have kept quiet because they fear retribution.
Lisa Borden, the mother of two high-schoolers, says, “Both of my girls would very much like to have the Rebel mascot replaced. They’ve always been uncomfortable with it. And I certainly feel the same way. I just feel that you can’t divorce Colonel Reb from his history. You just can’t paint over that and pretend it’s not the case.”
Students, parents, and local leaders spoke for more than two hours addressing the crowd of almost two hundred after dozens had to be turned away. The Board plans to decide whether to keep the mascot by the end of the month.
Click below for the entire meeting:
Wildfire destroys a historic Grand Canyon lodge and other structures
A park official said the visitor center, the gas station, a waste water treatment plant, an administrative building and some employee housing were among the 50 to 80 structures lost.
Jannik Sinner wins Wimbledon, Italy’s first singles champion
Italy's Jannik Sinner defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to win his first Wimbledon title. Sinner is the first Italian to win the tournament.
Senate committee details failures by Secret Service in preventing Trump shooting
The Senate Homeland Security Committee said the Secret Service's "lack of structured communication was likely the greatest contributor to the failures" at the Pennsylvania rally last summer.
Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari dies at 82
Nigeria's former president Muhammadu Buhari — who once ruled as a military dictator before returning decades later as an elected leader — has died at 82.
Los Angeles houses of worship plan for possible ICE Raids
Churches in Los Angeles put contingency plans in place after the Trump administration rescinds long-standing guidance advising immigration agents to avoid houses of worship.
‘Love Island USA’ might decenter whiteness — but the show still won’t face reality
The finale of Love Island USA airs Sunday night. Critic Aisha Harris says it's impossible to separate the season's racial and ethnic diversity from the show's mealy-mouthed handling of behind-the-scenes drama.
