Unity and A High School Mascot

Franklin High School’s mascot is a colonel and if you wonder if he is a Confederate - the school colors of blue and grey, fight song “Dixie” and the depiction of the bars and stars of the battle flag on the school seal make it obvious. Their mascot is a rebel against the United States to maintain slavery and a rebel against an order to desegregate schools, so no wonder African-American students and alumnae have asked for decades to have these symbols of oppression and exclusion removed. Guest Shanae Williams knows her history, and so do the hearts of community members who have signed a petition for change (change.org/changeFCHS). How will they fare with the county school board and conservative residents in this time of sustained desire to end to systemic racism in all its forms? What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.