Two months ago, a group of students under the pseudonym of DecolonizeAHS launched a petition to replace Aragon’s Don mascot, which they claim glorifies colonialism, with a more equitable mascot.
Conversations around potentially problematic branding are not new. However, this discussion has gained momentum these last few years as more people around the country begin to recognize the importance of the issue. From the historical resort Squaw Valley rebranding to Palisades Tahoe to the Washington football team dropping its indigenously insensitive “Redskins” mascot, change is happening all across the nation.
The Don is a Spanish title. The petition claims the Don represents a disrespectful romanticism of colonization and needs to be replaced for Aragon to truly be able to foster equity within the school community.
Students spearheading the petition met with administration last December. During this meeting, DecolonizeAHS explored the idea of a new mascot and steps that the school can take to make it a more equitable place. Principal Valerie Arbizu talks about what steps need to be taken before fully considering the replacement of Aragon’s long-standing mascot.
“To make people feel comfortable and understand the full ramifications of wanting to shift, we need to take some time,” Arbizu said. “If [we’re] undergoing that kind of change, what do people need to know and what conversations do we need to have?”
Recently, DecolonizeAHS has shifted its primary focus from catching the attention of the administration toward educating students, teachers and parents on the topic. DecolonizeAHS is also in touch with the indigenous people of San Mateo County, the Ramaytush Ohlones, who have expressed hope for Aragon to make a public land acknowledgement.
However, DecolonizeAHS has received backlash through private messages on Instagram and responses to its anonymous surveys. In addition to opposing voices, there are also logistical concerns for the implementation of a new mascot.
“Many may agree that the mascot is no longer representative of who we are or want to be,” Arbizu said. “But they may not agree that it’s worth the tens of thousands of dollars it will cost to replace the image and name on all of the items we currently use.”
“I don’t think they are wrong to want to look at the mascot that we have, but I think it has to be done thoughtfully and [has to include] everyone’s voice in the conversation”
There is currently no confirmation for the adoption of a new mascot. According to administration, the first step is for everybody to understand the idea.
“Let’s first talk about different ways to educate the community,” Arbizu said. “I don’t think they are wrong to want to look at the mascot that we have, but I think it has to be done thoughtfully and [has to include] everyone’s voice in the conversation.”
This is not the first time Aragon has gone through a process to make the school a more equitable place. The Aragon Outlook newspaper was originally called The Aragon Aristocrat, but in 2007, newspaper adviser Scott Silton proposed a change through a schoolwide vote.
“For a school [newspaper] serving a diverse population, to have [the] name [Aristocrat] sort of implies the upper class is actually better than the lower [class],” Silton said. “It’s kind of classist in an awkward way [and] it misrepresented the school. Changing the name served a symbolic purpose.”
As the movement for a more equitable environment progresses, both the administration and the students involved are turning towards a process focused on education and understanding the significance of the Don representing Aragon. Conversations about the mascot continue to circulate around campus and student activism will undoubtedly play a part in deciding whether or not a new mascot should be implemented.
As of Feb. 7, DecolonizeAHS’s petition has gathered 197 signatures.
*DecolonizeAHS refused to comment on the record for this article.
