Fresno High’s Warrior mascot image is on the way out. Fresno Unified School District board members voted Wednesday night to change the image, but to keep the name. The mascot depicting an image of a Native American in headdress has been called offensive and racist. Trustee Claudia Cazares said the vote falls in line with school policy.
“We have an anti-discrimination policy. It’s been passed by this board and this is an active step to take to go along with this anti-discrimination policy,” she said.
Students will be asked to design a new logo that will take effect next year. Trustee Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas suggested the district also needs to do more to address systemic issues.
“I think we need to involve students, alumni and the community in doing, really comprehensive review of the policy and naming procedures. Not only looking at the past and our existing buildings, diagrams and schools and everything else, but also going forward and having a comprehensive naming policy and procedures,” she said.
Board members heard public comments, where a majority called for the mascot to be changed. The motion was passed 6-1 with Trustee Terry Slatic, the dissenting vote.
