WASHINGTON, November 6, 2013 (WAFA) - The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) protested in letters to the California school district the use of “Arab” as the team name and mascot for the Coachella Valley High School (CVHS), located in Thermal, California, an ADC press release said Wednesday.

The CVHS mascot, the “Arab” depicts a man with a large nose, heavy beard, and wearing a Kaffiay. This imagery is plastered and advertised all over CVHS’s athletic facilities and at sporting events.

At CVHS sporting events, a student dressed as the “Arab” is present. During half-time shows at sporting events, the “Arab” performs, while a female dressed as a belly dancer entertains the mascot by dancing for him.

[Video from the halftime show can be viewed here.]

“The attendees and participants at these sporting events clearly show orientalist stereotyping of Arabs,” said ADC.

ADC expressed concern with CVHS and the school district permitting and endorsing this imagery about Arabs and Arab Americans.

“The continued use of the ‘Arab’ mascot perpetuates demeaning stereotypes of Arabs and Arab Americans,” said ADC. “CVHS gross ethnic stereotyping cannot be tolerated.”

ADC President Warren David said “the negative image portrayed by the depiction of the Coachella Valley mascot is a disgrace and unacceptable to all who respect an accurate image of Arabs.”

ADC has launched a petition asking the school district to consider changing the team name and mascot.

M.S.