Source: Facebook post on 7/4/2020
Please read this important message from Principal Thomas regarding change coming to South. South Comunity, it is time for each of us need to self-reflect on what roles we play in our student’s lives and what we need to continue doing, and determine what we must stop immediately doing. We need to hold one another accountable for the unequal treatment of our black and brown students, staff, and families that occurs most often unintentionally. The times few and far between where intentionally unequal treatment occurs, WE need to call it out and address it immediately! Now is the time for a much needed change at Denver South. Now is the time to respond to the call for action and not make excuses or be afraid to do what is right. Now is the time to take risks in the name of needed racial change. Now is the time all of us carry out the words used often within our hallways, classrooms, offices, and athletic/activity spaces. The words we hear are include open access, inclusion, culturally responsive, social justice, and ally/advocate. These words need to be lived up to everyday even if it means becoming venerable in order to stand up to others and be the voice for individuals that need the support.
Dear Denver South High School Community:
I am from Denver! I am Black and Mexican! I am one of the few principals of color to lead a comprehensive high school in DPS. I am Denver South! I continue to stand with my students, staff, families and the entire Denver South community against systemic racism, oppression of voices and police brutality! As a Denver South school community, our time is now — time to speak up against injustice, time to lend a hand to those in need, and time to be the change that is desperately needed!
As a direct result, we have started the process to revisit what it means to say, “We are Denver South.” As part of this work, our goal is to better understand the history, symbolism, and negative impacts of our mascot — the Rebels — and explore options that truly represent our school. In order to best serve our community, we want to involve you in this process. We will be sending out a survey this fall to students, families, staff, and alumni and want to work as a school community to have genuine, thoughtful, and comprehensive discussions about the survey results with all that would like to participate. We will also look to evaluate our current systems and programs to determine where else change is needed. We know that our efforts will help ensure that our entire school community will feel affirmed, appreciated, and valued.
There are many unanswered questions about what this all means and looks like. I ask for your understanding, patience, and support as we start this process. We understand that there will be strong feelings and perspectives from multiple stakeholders, and we want to hear from as many voices as possible. A standing committee will be formed along with other sub-committees in order to understand the history of Denver South, identify potential new mascots or taglines, understand the financial impact, categorize what support is needed, determine a marketing plan, establish a school community branding plan, and communicate a timeline and progress to stakeholders.
As school staff and faculty, we will examine how and where the Rebel name or mascot is used around our school campus. There will be no new orders placed using the Rebel mascot or name. This includes new athletic uniforms or gear, school apparel, marketing material, communication documents, and email signatures. We will identify where the use of the Rebel mascot is visible at our school campus and prepare action plans for removal or replacement.
I realize that many of you are 100% in agreement with this change while others are adamantly against it. Please understand that our mascot change is not a knee-jerk reaction and that this has been an on-going conversation for years. The first move to change began in 1970 when Denver Public Schools removed the Confederate flag and Dixie song overnight by decree when bussing started to force racial integration. The second move to change was in 2007-2008 when students started a petition to remove Johnny Rebel and change the mascot. In 2009, alumni and DPS agreed to keep the Rebels along with the Gargoyle/Griffin as a mascot. The third change occurred in 2019 when the South High Alumni and Friends, Inc. (SHAFI) association changed their newsletter from “The Confederacy” to the “Rebel Report” based on alumni vote. Please see the articles linked below for more specific details.
The Denver Post – 6-25: “Is this who we are?”: Denver South to reconsiders mascot. https://www.denverpost.com/2020/06/25/colorado-high-schools-face-problematic-nicknames/
The Denver Post – 02-19-09: DPS approves South High move to drop “racist” logo (see below) https://www.denverpost.com/2009/02/19/dps-approves-south-high-move-to-drop-racist-logo/
5280 Magazine – 02-19-09: Denver’s South High School to Chand packing, picks new mascot. https://www.5280.com/2009/02/denvers-south-high-school-to-change-confederate-mascot/
Boulder Daily Camera – 08-15-09: Denver school drops Rebel logo, citing racism. https://www.dailycamera.com/2009/08/15/denver-school-drops-rebel-logo-citing-racism/
The Gargoyle – 09-19-19: The Times Have Changed and so Must the Mascot. https://denversouthgargoyle.com/2825/showcase/the-times-have-changed-and-so-must-the-mascot/
Wikipedia: South High School (Denver) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_High_School_(Denver)
Our hope is that these changes will prevent our community from having to engage in insensitive dialogue where they have to justify, rationalize, or feel ashamed of our mascot or programs. Our commitment is that the focus in these passionate and spirited dialogues will shift to all the positive attributes of South — our beautiful building, outstanding accomplished alumni, and sense of pride and community. This is what sets Denver South apart from all other high schools. This change could be seen as an exhilarating historical event that will solidify itself in the long standing history of Denver South. Now is the time when all that has been celebrated through the years at Denver South will interface with a symbolic and descriptive mascot that will capture what it means to say “We Are Denver South” for many years to come!
Please see the quotes below that reinforce why the time is now and what change is.
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”― Barack Obama
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”― Mahatma Gandhi“Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.”― Maya Angelou
“The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.”― Barack Obama
“A change is brought about because ordinary people do extraordinary things.”― Barack Obama
Thank you,
Bobby Thomas
Principal
Class of 1982 - Denver South High School 
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