Wonder how the kids at Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Texas ever get educated, being reminded everyday when they enter the campus and are greeted by that name? Guess they're just not as enlightened as the Ithaca bunch.
Back around 1980, Robert E. Lee High School dropped their football game tradition that involved running on to the field, unfurling a huge Confederate flag. Although I personally don't identify with the Confederacy (the only ancestors I had in this country then were American Indian), I thought it was a shame then, and do now.
In my opinion, the divisions were strengthened by the move. Rather than demonstrating true inclusion and tolerance, the school lost a tradition due to arbitrary perceptions. The history of Texas could have come to be "owned" (is that a term that dates me, or what?) by all the students.
TOUGH TEAM every year & NOT a Friday night that we "look forward to", either!
otoh, it "does my heart good" to see/hear the student body screaming the REBEL YELL throughout the games (even when the TIGERS are LOSING!), especially since there are so many NON-white students doing just that!
free dixie,sw
I recall that they changed their nickname from Rebels to Raiders(?) a few years back.
Alas not even Tyler is immune.