School district considers changing ‘Redmen’ mascot

A review is underway to determine if a potentially offensive mascot at a Utah high school should remain.

The Spectrum reports Iron County school officials are considering changing Cedar High School’s Redmen mascot.

The Iron County School District said in a statement the Redmen moniker was intended it to be an honor when it was chosen in 1943. The district says it was selected as a way of “representing the many Native Americans that lived and continue to live in this area.”

However, the term widely has become known as a racial slur.

The district says the local Native American tribe, the Cedar Paiute Tribe of Utah, has not requested a name change but is supportive of the district’s review.

Two meetings – Dec. 4 and Dec. 18 – will be held at the school to gather public input.