With one of nation's strictest rules, State Board of Education bans Native American mascots

Oregonlive ^ | Thursday, May 17, 2012, 6:36 PM | Ryan Kost

[MovementConservative]

Under a new rule that may be the toughest in the nation, at least 15 Oregon schools must get rid of their Native American-themed mascots by 2017 or risk losing state funding.

The State Board of Education passed the new policy in a 5-1 vote Thursday afternoon.

"I'm overwhelmed, but I'm holding back on my emotions -- I have a meeting to finish," said board Chairwoman Brenda Frank, a member of the Klamath Tribes. "It's been a long time coming."

The decision, in the works for six years, requires schools to eliminate names like "Indians," "Chiefs" and "Braves." "Warriors" may stay, but the logos may not reference tribal customs or traditions.

Supporters of mascot bans have long held that the names are racist and encourage students to develop stereotypes. Opponents say a ban will destroy traditions and waste money on purging the mascots from schools in times of tight budgets.

Nationally, there have been various pushes to do away with using race-based mascots for decades. The debate in Oregon schools picked up in earnest in 2006, when Che Butler, a former Taft High School student, brought the issue before the state board.

Butler told The Oregonian at the time that he decided to go to the board after his school played the Molalla High Indians. During the game he saw a student dressed in buckskin and fake feathers performing stereotypical Native American dance moves.

[fish hawk]

You realize, of course, that these movements have a token number of actual Indians and that the big body is made up of a bunch of Liberal busy body PC, white people. Many years ago my uncle was “Prince Lightfoot” the “Stanford Indian”. After 21 years of being the university mascot, he was removed for PC reasons. At that time there were two or three actual Indians going to Stanford. It was the PC whites that made it happen.

[BlackElk]

Tell ‘em Skewel Bored to mind’em own beeswax. We are putting together joint war party: Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho. Show’em what, for example, Fighting Sioux really means. Apache be welcome too since they have verrrry colorful punishment traditions. Send’em ankle and wrist stakes, honey, red ants and small knives to remove eyelids in hot sun. Apache take care of rest.

[Mr. Wright]

How about “The fighting pantywaists” — now that has a real nice ring to it!!!

[M1911A1]

I’m thinking with a little updating, Native American mascots would be OK here in Washington state.

“The Casinos”
“The One Armed Bandits”
“The Tax Exempt”
“The Influence Buyers”
“The Smoking Ban Exceptions”
“The No Limit Fishermen”
“The Whale Shooters”

Lots of options, really.

[Delta 21]

At least it isn’t “The Red Headed, Hot Tempered, Stupid Drunk, Potato Eatin’, Fightin’ Irish”

[Delta 21]

Oh my !! Thats just delicious !!