Oregon Joins Wisconsin in Banning Native American Mascots

Posted by on in , , , , ,

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF

From ICTMN:

n a 5-1 vote on Thursday, May 17 the Oregon Board of Education decided the fate of Native American mascots in the state’s schools—they will be no more.

While many districts complained that changing logos would cost too much, the board chose to join Wisconsin in the fight to end the stereotyping by banning Native American mascots—Wisconsin was the first in 2010.

At least 15 schools across the state have five years to get rid of the offensive images or face losing state funding. The ban specifically prohibits the use of names, symbols or images that refer to Native tribes, customs or traditions. Specific names that have been banned include “Redskins,” “Savages,” “Indians,” and “Braves,” reported the Los Angeles Times.

This is stricter than the Wisconsin ban, which allows district residents to lodge a complaint about an offensive mascot and then requires the school to prove that the mascot does not promote discrimination.

(6)