COUNTERPETITION REBUTTAL
In response to the movement seeking to remove the Rebel mascot from Boyle County High School, a counter-petition to keep the mascot was created on change.org. This counter-petition and the accompanying comments include misleading or untrue statements.
A selection of claims and comments that are false
“There has been an influx of individuals who did not attend Boyle County High School who are now calling for the Rebel mascot to be removed.” – the change.org petition
The petition to remove the Rebel mascot was created and circulated by BCHS alumni. Those who have signed the petition list their affiliation with the school and are documented as current students, alumni (the vast majority of signatories), current parents or parents of alumni, current or former faculty and staff (including a former principal and a former school board member), and residents of Boyle County. Analysis of signatories show only two respondents who have no clear relationship with the school.
Who has signed the change.org petition? Did they all attend Boyle County schools? The open letter is transparent about its signatories and is actively documenting their relationship with the school and community; the change.org petition is not.
“Can we not adjust a logo - and not abolish an entire thought process? Remember being a Rebel is a cultural decision - not a sign of slavery. If it is - then I guess we’ll have to shut down all the civil war battlefields and not teach unfavorable history - so we the get to repeat unfavorable history?” – Brad Simmons
While the word “rebel” can mean resisting any force, it was clearly chosen to recall the soldiers of the Confederate Army – supporters of slavery – and should therefore be abolished. The association with the Confederacy has been well-documented. Furthermore, the fact that the logo has already been modified several times supports the claim that it is racist in its origins and symbolism.
Historians don't use mascots to study history (unless studying the history of mascots). Students of history read documents, sources, and articles to gather information. Battlefields are useful to provide geographic context to events that took place, thus are preserved. Schools should – and do – teach unfavorable history, including the systemic oppression of groups of people. It is taught within the context of other events and trends in order to question the actions of people in the past.
“What ever happened to majority overrules” – Linda Crawford
There are checks and balances in government and administrations across the country in order to protect the rights of the minority when they may not otherwise be protected. Recall that many of the landmark decisions of the Civil Rights era securing rights for Black Americans were court cases (such as Brown v. Board of Education, which ruled that segregation of public schools is unconstitutional), not votes of majority rule. Further, Black people in the Boyle County community, a minority, are those hurt most by the racist Rebel mascot and those whose voices need to be heard. Black community leaders have asked for the mascot to be changed. We all need to step up and support those members of our community who feel its effects most deeply.
Comments related to History
“Why change history” – Shakeela Cornelius
“Have to stop erasing our history.” – John Moore
“This is history it has nothing to do with race.” – Justin Burton
“The mascot should remain and never be changed just because of some hurt feelings. Harden up, people! You can’t change the past by destroying the history. YOUR history.” – Jason Davis
The history of the mascot is rooted in race, as has been documented.
There is also a clear difference between understanding and learning history, and honoring past misdeeds that should not be glamorized. In Germany, for example, you will find museums about the Holocaust, but you will not find Hitler statues or schools whose mascots are the Nazis. German students learn about their history critically – which is a mark of excellence in education. See the Frequently Asked Questions page for more information on the role of history in this decision.
Comments related to Tradition
“Keeping the tradition!” – pamela williams
“Being around the tradition there. Nothing is hateful about the word Rebels....” – Tony Kidwell
Boyle County High School has a tradition of excellence. It is a mainstay of the community, providing a common connecting point for events, fairs, athletics, and voting. The mascot goes against this powerful tradition by being a harmful reminder of the oppression of Black people. The Boyle County mascot must change to live up to the high standards set by the school’s students and staff, both academically and athletically. Just because something has been around for a long time doesn’t mean that it is right.
Comments related to A Lack of Problems in the Past
“The rebels have been a long standing name for 3 different schools I have connections with. I do not see it has ever been a issue in the past so why would it be after 40+ years.” – Karen Slone
“There is nothing racial about this! Its been the same for many years b4 now and no problems so why cause problems now? Its only history and if it and everything else gets whipped out why even have any history at all!” – Rhonda Hammons
“The Rebels have had that name since 1963 and we have never been asked to change it and I don’t want it changed now because we went to school with people of color and they all played sports and not one time was it ever brought up to be changed. I think this is so wrong also because all of our Class rings have Rebels on them and now if they change the name then we will be asked in the future where that school was. I am totally against changing the names of our mascot” – Vickie Bowling
“This is all some Democrat plot, nothing has ever been said about our mascot until this year and its only because they want trump out of office so bad thats they are trying to create a racial war.” – Jonathan Miller
This is not the first time that changing the mascot has been brought up. The image accompanying the mascot has already changed several times since it was first created. Furthermore, this effort is completely non-partisan. It was started by a group of alumni who have long felt uncomfortable with the mascot’s connotations and who seek a mascot that is welcoming to all students. Alumni from as far back as 1966 have signed the open letter so far.
Claims that are true
“The petition has gathered over 100 signatures.” – the change.org petition
It has over 240 signatures so far.
“The mascot promotes racist ideology and the dehumanization of an entire class of people.” – the change.org petition
The Rebel has been depicted carrying a Confederate flag. Its symbolic representation, as well as the name itself, is closely tied to the Confederacy and the values for which the army fought, particularly the right to enslave Black people. Glorifying these symbols is interpreted by many as support for a legacy of racism and intolerance that is contradictory to the values of Boyle County Public Schools.
“Local Kentucky news stations picked up the story and made it known to the rest of the state.” – the change.org petition
Thankfully, yes. You can find the media coverage on our media page.