FFRF has effectively killed off a crusading public school mascot.
Ken Caryl Middle School in Littleton, Colo., has a “crusader” as its mascot. The figure is a cloaked knight holding a shield and sword. Latin crosses on the tunic and shield mark him out to be a member of Knights Templar, one of the most feared fighting units in the Crusades.
FFRF reminded the school district that a school mascot should not be derived from the Crusades, since they were incredibly divisive and violent. The Crusaders were zealous warriors who slaughtered Jews, Muslims and other Christians in the name of religion. The whole effort was a disaster that to this day mars the West’s relationship with the Middle East.
FFRF pointed out to the school district that a lot of universities and organizations, including Christian outfits, with crusader-type mascots have gotten rid of them in recent years. It urged the school to do so, too.
The school district indicated that it would be heeding FFRF’s advice.
“The district is in the process of forming a diverse group of parents, students, staff and community members to consider your feedback and develop and/or review submissions for a new mascot/logo for Ken Caryl Middle School,” Dan McMinimee, superintendent of Jeffco Public Schools, replied in a March 15 email. “We anticipate the process to be finished by the start of the next school year.”
