Ban On Native American Mascots
May 19, 2012 by Staff
Filed under Sports News
Comments Off
Ban On Native American Mascots, Public schools in Oregon must discontinue the use of Native American names, symbols or images as mascots following a State Board of Education vote.
Prohibited names include, “Redskins,” “Savages,” “Indians,” “Indianettes,” “Chiefs” and “Braves,” the board said in a statement Thursday.
The board by a 5-1 vote adopted the rule and gave schools until July 2017 to comply.
“I do not believe any of our schools with Native American mascots intended to be disrespectful,” state Superintendent Susan Castillo said in a statement. “Our role as educators needs to be to create a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for all of our students — an environment which honors them for who they are as individuals with a rich and varied cultural history. We can no longer accept these stereotypical images for the sake of tradition — not when they are hurting our kids.”
The board said it heard more than eight hours of public testimony on the topic and received 700 pieces of written testimony.
Philomath High School in Philomath will be permitted, under the rule, to continue using the name “Warriors,” but without imagery that refers to a tribe, individual, custom or tradition.
“We’ve always been proud of the Warriors. In a majestic sense, we look up and honor the Warrior,” senior Emily Klipfel told CNN Eugene affiliate KEZI.
Gordon Bettles, a Klamath tribe member, welcomed the decision.
“What it does for us is removes a weight, removes a pressure,” he told affiliate KVAL in Eugene.
“The concept of Native American mascots being hurtful and racist was not new to me,” said state board member Serilda Summers-McGee. “However, the testimony we received from students, members of the Native American community, and researchers regarding the impact of Native American mascots on student learning and self-esteem was extremely illuminating.”
Lebanon High School, home of the Warriors, may have to spend $200,000 to replace signage, jerseys, letterhead and other items, said athletic director Rob Allen. (CNN)
