TULSA, Okla. — The Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education is set to hear a proposal to remove and prohibit "discriminatory, offensive or derogatory" school brands.
The board is meeting on Aug. 18 to discuss this proposal.
The policy would include:
- mascots
- names
- symbols
- logos
- letterhead
- slogans
- mottos
- materials
- images used by any school or district-affiliated program
WATCH: Tulsa Public Schools board to discuss prohibiting 'discriminatory' brands:
More specifically, if approved, the policy prohibits adopting any new school mascot names or branding elements "that may reasonably be perceived as offensive, culturally insensitive, or perpetuating stereotypes."
The policy says human mascots are unnecessary and harmful.
"Therefore, the use of human representations in school mascots or branding—either in name or imagery—is strictly prohibited in future naming or branding efforts," the proposed policy says.
All school branding must:
- Align with the mission, values, and vision of Tulsa Public Schools.
- Promote school pride, unity, and community identity.
- Avoid any imagery or language that perpetuates racial, ethnic, gender-based, religious, or cultural stereotypes.
- Uphold the dignity and respect of all individuals.
Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. responded to the proposal:
“We applaud Tulsa Public Schools for this new thoughtful branding and mascot policy that elects to respect tribes versus misappropriate our culture through the use of stereotypical school mascots,” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. “It sends a message that Tulsa Public School leaders value the Native students in their classrooms and the tribes within the reservation and across the state who are each unique, culturally diverse and modern thriving people and not misleading caricatures of the past to be adorned on clothing or the football field.”
Leadership at the Muscogee-Creek Nation also responded:
"We appreciate the district’s thoughtful proposal regarding mascots and imagery. Harmful stereotypes and inaccurate portrayals aren’t just things that hurt feelings or offend, there is evidence-based data analysis that suggests that these things are actually harmful to young people. We believe the matter deserves serious consideration and discussion."
2 News will be at the meeting and update on what happens.
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