Posted on 06/03/2002 8:23:37 PM PDT by vannrox
By JIM SANDERS SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Assembly rejected legislation to make California the first state in the nation to prohibit public schools or mascots from being named after American Indian tribes Tuesday. AB 2115 received support from 29 legislators and opposition from 35. Forty-one votes are needed for passage. Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg, D-Los Angeles, immediately moved for reconsideration Tuesday. She said she will seek a second vote this week. AB 2115 would ban use of the names Redskins, Indians, Braves, Chiefs, Apaches, Comanches or any other Indian tribal name for public schools or for their athletic teams or mascots. The prohibition would apply to elementary, middle and high schools, as well as to community colleges and the California State University system. The measure would not apply, however, to private schools or to the University of California, which is governed by its own board of regents. Goldberg contends that use of tribal names by public schools is offensive and contrary to the state's obligation to provide an equal education for all. Indians can feel embarrassment, anger or ridicule because of the use of such names at campus sporting events or rallies, according to supporters of AB 2115. Coloring a mascot with face paint, plopping feathers into a headband and whooping it up with war dances mock sacred Indian traditions, supporters say. "It's a simple bill of civil rights," Goldberg told legislators Tuesday. Dozens of schools statewide have Indian-related campus, team or mascot names, but some - such as Warrior or Brave - are not necessarily tribal and would not be banned by AB 2115. Opponents mocked AB 2115 on Tuesday, with Monrovia Republican Dennis Mountjoy calling it the "silly bill of the century." They argued that Indian names are meant as an honor, not ridicule, and that local school districts should decide for themselves what to name their campuses and teams. Assemblyman Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Temecula, called the bill "political correctness run amok." Assemblyman Roy Ashburn, R-Bakersfield, argued that nearly every team name - from Gophers to Pirates to Rams - could offend someone. Ashburn asked tongue-in-cheek whether the name Padres should be banned because it might offend atheists, or Eagles because it might offend bald people. Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla, D-Pittsburg, said legislators walk a dangerous line - bordering on censorship - when they begin dictating what words can and cannot be used by public institutions. "It's not our job," he said simply. "It's not our responsibility." But Goldberg noted that California already has a policy prohibiting personalized license plates from using words that are demeaning, denigrating or discriminatory. Assemblywoman Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park, supported AB 2115. "They say these are just words," Chu said of Indian names. "Free speech. Just fun. But it's not just fun to have 80,000 fans in a football stadium screaming, 'Kill the Chiefs.'" Assemblywoman Sarah Reyes said other schools have changed their Indian-related team names without problems. Supporters and opponents disagreed on whether a majority of American Indians support banning use of tribal names. Each side cited surveys bolstering their position. AB 2115 would not ban the use of tribal names by an American Indian school. Goldberg said she would be willing to consider amending the bill to provide exceptions for schools that use Indian names in conjunction with a school-tribal affiliation or partnership. If approved, the bill would allow public schools to phase-in the purchase of uniforms, stationery and other materials that must be replaced if Indian names are dropped. Conformance with AB 2115 is expected to cost less than $100,000 statewide, according to a legislative analysis of the bill. Goldberg recently narrowed the scope of her bill. Initially, AB 2115 would have required the state Board of Education and California Postsecondary Education Commission to compile - and ban - the use of other names that discriminate against any race, ethnicity, nationality or tribal group.
MINORITY ISSUES
Mascot legislation killed
Scripps-McClatchy Western Service
May 28, 2002
I'm glad we're getting our priorities straightened out.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.