Potential names chosen to replace OKC high school's racist mascot

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – An Oklahoma City high school is getting closer to choosing a new mascot to replace one that the American Indian community deemed offensive.

The options for a replacement for Capitol Hill High School’s old mascot, the R*dsk*ns, were narrowed at a committee meeting Thursday, the Oklahoman reported. According to the school’s alumni association president J. Don Harris, there will be no link between the team name and American Indian individuals.

The alumni association’s choice for a new team was Chieftains, but it did not make the cut because it identified the American Indian community.

“We have decided that there will be no Native American linkage or connotation or anything that identifies a Native American individual,” Harris said. “I think we’re actually losing the legacy of the school, which the alumni wanted to base their mascot on.”

Superintendent Rob Nee announced earlier this month plans to auction athletic uniforms and other items with the R*dsk*ns logo to help pay for the cost of removing references from the school, which is estimated to be $200,000.

The Oklahoma City School Board voted unanimously in December to ban the original mascot. Capitol Hill students will vote on the new mascot.

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Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com