Vestavia Hills Board of Ed. Stands By Rebel Name
The Vestavia Hills Board of Education is again resisting calls to drop “Rebels” from the high school’s name. In 2015, the board decided that the school system would drop the Rebel Man mascot and rebrand after critics said it was too closely associated with the Confederacy.
But for many alumni, that wasn’t enough. Dozens of Vestavia Hills graduates have renewed the effort to drop the Rebel name. Holly Metcalf graduated from Vestavia Hills High School in 1999. She remembers attending football games where replicas of the confederate flag were used to show school spirit.
“Taking away the imagery doesn’t change the meaning of the word,” she said. “We all know it was a Confederate rebel. We all know this term was associated with the Confederacy.”
Metcalf does not see a benefit to keeping the name, adding that removal would lead to progress on racial issues within the school system, instead of sweeping them under the rug.
Lisa Baker, president of the Vestavia Hills Board of Education, said since the school’s rebranding the rebel name has taken on a new meaning.
“If you look at the culture of the school, you will see that it really represents a determination and a commitment to rise above those things that we know challenge all students, such as bullying, prejudice and injustice,” she said.
Baker said, for Vestavia Hills’ students, being a Rebel means defying cultural norms and expectations.
But some alumni aren’t buying it.
A private Facebook group called “Drop Rebel from VHHS” was created in June. The group has since started a petition and several people spoke out during a school board meeting last week. However, Baker said school officials have no intention of removing the Rebel name.
Q&A: How harm reduction can help mitigate the opioid crisis
Maia Szalavitz discusses harm reduction's effectiveness against drug addiction, how punitive policies can hurt people who need pain medication and more.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring a Community Engagement Producer
The Gulf States Newsroom is seeking a curious, creative and collaborative professional to work with our regional team to build up engaged journalism efforts.
Gambling bills face uncertain future in the Alabama legislature
This year looked to be different for lottery and gambling legislation, which has fallen short for years in the Alabama legislature. But this week, with only a handful of meeting days left, competing House and Senate proposals were sent to a conference committee to work out differences.
Alabama’s racial, ethnic health disparities are ‘more severe’ than other states, report says
Data from the Commonwealth Fund show that the quality of care people receive and their health outcomes worsened because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What’s your favorite thing about Alabama?
That's the question we put to those at our recent News and Brews community pop-ups at Hop City and Saturn in Birmingham.
Q&A: A former New Orleans police chief says it’s time the U.S. changes its marijuana policy
Ronal Serpas is one of 32 law enforcement leaders who signed a letter sent to President Biden in support of moving marijuana to a Schedule III drug.
