🐾Mascot: "Bellydance"

Hey there Let's talk about a unique and contentious school mascot that made waves in California. The mascot in question is associated with Coachella Valley High School, and it's not just the mascot itself, but also the accompanying performances. The school's mascot, known as "the Arab," was often accompanied by a student dressed as a belly-dancing genie during events. This combo was part of the school's traditions for over 80 years but was criticized for perpetuating gross stereotypes of Arabs and Arab Americans. The belly-dancing genie, in particular, was seen as a form of orientalist stereotyping, which is why it was eventually retired along with the controversial "Arab" mascot. Despite this, the school decided to keep the "Arabs" nickname but agreed to redesign their logo to avoid further controversy. So, while the belly-dancing genie is no longer part of the school's events, it remains a fascinating, albeit problematic, piece of school mascot history.