Round Rock Moms Seek To Change School's Native American Mascot

ROUND ROCK, TX — A group of mothers in Round Rock have launched an online petition to change an elementary school logo and mascot — the centerpiece of which is a round-faced caricature of smiling, long-haired head of what appears to be a Native American wearing a feathered headband.

"I propose we act as a community to remove the name 'Braves' and cartoon Native American mascot from Double File Trail Elementary," the petition reads in part. "Phase it out throughout the upcoming school year. Involve the community and students of the school."

To help mitigate change, the group suggests engaging students and parents in the process: "Ask the community for help designing the logo and repainting the hallways," the moms offered. "For supplies branded with the mascot, re-order when they are depleted with the new mascot. As a community, we can come together to stop perpetuating the misrepresentation of Native American culture and people."

Already collecting about 150 signatures as of Friday, the group plans to present their findings to the Round Rock ISD board of trustees at their Aug. 15 meeting as conveyed in the petition.

But in conservative Williamson County, the petition didn't go over too well among many residents after being posted in the Facebook page "Courageous Conversations GTX." The typical arguments related to allegations of erasing history were used as arguments against the petition with some arguing the symbol is no caricature but an age-appropriate illustration designed for elementary school students.

Despite such objections, it appears the mascot's removal appears to be something of a foregone conclusion. A Round Rock ISD spokeswoman told KXAN the district plans to remove the logo from school signage as soon as possible, noting the offending image already has been removed from the schools website.