ARAB MASCOT VIDEO: 'If Someone says I'm Offended then We Should Listen'

Former Coachella Valley High student Amalia Uribe Deaztlan urged people at a meeting Friday night to respect the concerns of anyone who is offended by the school's Arab mascot.

"I can tell you that I have always felt the pride of this school, the students that came from this high school, that have done a lot in life," said Deaztlan, who has fought for  better working conditions for farm workers and opposed discrimination against Latinos.

"And I look back in terms in what we have accomplished as a community and the pride that I have in my community for this school," Deaztlan said.

"But I also have been someone that has fought a lot for civil rights all my life. And I just feel that we need to respect other people's opinions.

"We have been fighting stereotypes as Latinos all our lives and we need to make sure that we don't offend people," Deaztlan said. "Because if someone says I'm offended then we should listen and we should not be in that position of offending another culture.

"So I thank you Dr. Adams for your answer and the board members. I know that we will do the right thing as we have always done. Thank you."

About 100 people took part in the special meeting of the school district board Nov. 15 in Coachella Valley High's gymnasium, which is adorned with Arabs sports championship banners dating from the 1930s.

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee recently sent a letter to school officials stating in part:

"ADC is appalled at the use of a caricature depicted to be an 'Arab' as the official mascot of the high school. The image of the Coachella Valley High School mascot depicts a man with a large nose, heavy beard, and wearing a Kaffiay, or traditional Arab head covering. "

After the meeting, the Coachella Valley Unified School District issued a statement announcing the visit of Abed Ayoub, ADC director of legal and policy affairs, and plans for a press conference at CVUSD headquarters at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 19.

The school district said Ayoub's visit will include time with staff, students, alumni, and local leaders.

The ADC, which is based in the Nation's Capital, has raised concerns about the California desert school's Arab mascot at the same time Native Americans are putting pressure on the NFL Washington Redskins, a name and theme many consider offensive.

For more from the Friday night meeting see

Coachella Valley High Students, Alumni, Officials Extoll Pride in Arab Mascot

VIDEO: Coachella Valley Arabs Superintendent Says 'We're Going to Keep Our Name'

ARAB MASCOT VIDEO: 'I Think it Speaks for Itself How Much We Revere This Name'