11/21/24
October 12, 2015
California Bans Use of 'Redskins' as Sports Mascot: California became the first state to ban schools from using the "Redskins" team name or mascot Sunday, a move the National Congress of American Indians said should be a "shining example" for the rest of the country. The law, which Gov. Jerry Brown signed Sunday morning, goes into effect Jan. 1, 2017. "They have set a shining example for other states across the country, and for the next generation, by demonstrating a commitment to the American ideals of inclusion and mutual respect," said the National Congress of American Indians.
I'm always amazed when people play the "our tradition is sacred" card to defend their school's mascot, as if they never considered what the usage of those mascots is like for Native Americans.
I've been using a Chrome Plugin that changes the mascot to Athletes anywhere it appears on a web page. It has been nice, though I had to turn it off to make this post. It even changed text boxes.
posted by rcade at 02:37 PM on October 12, 2015
Four high schools will need to change their team names due to this, and the state will send $$ to help make the change. The Tulare High website reads, "As Redskins, we are a part of a long and proud tradition dating back to 1890." So yes, just because a racist name was chosen back when racism wasn't really recognized as such you should get to keep it forever.