News Summary
California’s Assembly Bill 3074 requires over 100 schools to remove offensive mascot names, particularly those referencing Native American cultures. Clairemont High School in San Diego is among the institutions that must develop new nicknames, as their existing mascot has been deemed inappropriate. As the deadline approaches, many schools are expected to reassess their mascots, promoting values of respect and inclusivity in school identities.
San Diego, California – In a significant move towards inclusivity, California’s Assembly Bill 3074 has mandated that over 100 schools across the state, including Clairemont High School in San Diego, remove derogatory names from their mascots by July 1. This legislation, which was signed into law last year, targets school names that are considered offensive, particularly those that reference Native American cultures in a derogatory manner.
The law has prompted Clairemont High School to join the ranks of institutions that must develop new nicknames as their existing mascot, which features a chief wearing a traditional headdress, has been deemed inappropriate. This high school has utilized the nickname since it opened in 1958, but under the new legislation, it is now required to change it. The San Diego Unified School District has already initiated the process to select a new nickname, forming a committee dedicated to this task, with the aim of finalizing a new name by January.
More than 100 schools statewide are affected by this bill, many of which have faced criticism for names such as Redskins, Chiefs, Chieftains, Braves, Big Reds, Savages, Squaws, Tribe, Apaches, Chippewas, and Comanches. Schools in the San Diego area often select mascots that evoke themes of bravery and strength, with options including Lions, Tigers, Bears, Titans, and Warriors. Conversely, schools with more contextually relevant names, such as Oceanside High School (Pirates), Mission Bay High School (Buccaneers), and Coronado High School (Islanders), have been highlighted as successful examples of school identity that boost community spirit without discord.
In recent memory, Serra High School underwent a complete rebranding process, changing its name to Canyon Hills following community petitions about the insensitivity of its previous name, Conquistadors. This shift involved not just a name change but also required the replacement of all uniforms and faced considerable community pushback over mascot alterations at several schools.
Other local schools have also been associated with Native American-themed mascots, including El Cajon Valley High School (Braves), Montgomery High School (Aztecs), and Fallbrook High School (Warriors). In contrast, San Diego High School has evolved its nickname from Cavemen since its founding in 1919 to the more modern “Cavers.” Kearny High School creatively represents its identity with the nickname “Komets,” which reflects the name of a local hockey team while aligning with the school’s branding. Similarly, Classical Academy has chosen the nickname “Caimans,” which is intended to evoke strength and power.
The action taken by California is part of a broader conversation about the appropriateness of school mascots and their cultural implications. Nationwide, more than 1,500 schools are named Eagles, with several located within San Diego County. This trend highlights the ongoing discussion about school identity, representation, and inclusivity within educational institutions.
On a lighter note, unique school nicknames across the country present interesting cases. For instance, Yuma, Arizona, features schools named “Criminals,” while Sleepy Hollow, New York, boasts “Horsemen.” Other notable school names include “Sparkplugs” from Speedway, Indiana, and “Feet” from Webb, Tennessee. These quirky monikers add a unique dimension to school spirit while underscoring the diverse ways that schools choose to represent themselves.
As the deadline for compliance approaches, more schools are expected to proactively reassess their mascots, aligning with the values of respect and inclusivity that Assembly Bill 3074 aims to promote. With now less than a year to transition to new identities, many institutions are likely to engage their communities in discussions about potential new names that celebrate their local heritage without perpetuating stereotypes or derogatory connotations.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Richard Barrera Announces Candidacy for California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction
Community Rally in San Diego to Preserve Education Funding
San Diego Schools Ban Native American Mascots
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Clairemont High School’s Mascot Faces Renaming Due to New Law
San Diego Unified School District Announces New Community Schools
Clairemont High School to Change Mascot
Additional Resources
- San Diego Union-Tribune: San Diego’s High Schools Have Memorable, Sometimes Controversial Mascots
- NBC San Diego: San Diego Unified Changing School Names
- CBS 8: San Diego Unified Bans Native American Mascots
- Fox 5 San Diego: SDUSD Voting on Plan to Replace Native American School Mascots
- ESPN: NCAA Tournament Challenge Guide: Team Mascots, School Colors, Famous Alumni
- Wikipedia: Mascot
- Google Search: School Mascots
- Google Scholar: School Identity
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mascot
- Google News: School Mascots Controversy
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
