Oregon State Board Of Education Drafts Rule To Ban American Indian Imagery In Athletic Programs

April 30, 2012 /
Forest Grove News, Stover E. Harger III

http://www.koinlocal6.com/news/local/story/Momentum-moves-toward-Native-American-mascot-ban/gTj6dynqR0aoVFc4eng9wg.cspx

A majority of feedback to a proposed public school ban on Native American mascots received by the Oregon Department of Education is in opposition to such a change, with many feeling such a shift is unnecessary and potentially costly.

On April 19, the State Board of Education held its first public discussion of a drafted rule and resolution which would end the use of American Indian imagery to brand athletic programs and institutions.

Despite similar past pushes, this is the closest the state has been to a ban on such imagery at the public school level, said education department spokeswoman Christine Miles. Most members of the state board – including its chair and vice chair – have publicly declared what they believe to be a need for ending the longstanding practice.

Those supporting the change agree with numerous published studies that proclaim American Indian-derived mascots to be potentially harmful and discriminatory.

Nearly all testimony on the issue delivered in person to the education board over two meetings has been for a ban. However, out of the more than 300 comments sent to the board, a majority wanted to preserve the status quo.

As early as its May 17 meeting, the board of education could pass a proposed rule giving schools like Banks High School – with its Braves mascot – until July 1, 2017, to find new icons or risk losing funding. Before that, another hearing will be held April 27.

Oregon Department of Education Legal Coordinator Cindy Hunt told the board some of the written comments were blatantly racist.

“That’s something that’s been a bit shocking,” she said.

The Scappoose School District is maintaining a “wait-and-see” approach to the issue as community members continue to discuss the pros and cons of the potential prohibition.

“It’s hard to take a stance when we really don’t know where the state’s going to go,” said Scappoose High School Athletic Director Robert Medley.

In Banks, supporters of the high school’s mascot have taken to Facebook and developed online petitions in an effort to retain their mascot.

Some of the most vocal criticism of the proposed ban has come from the Lebanon School District, where school officials and students have publicly argued their Warrior mascot– of a Native American man riding a horse – is honorable.

The Lebanon School Board passed a resolution April 19 to cement its opposition to the state’s proposed plan. Superintendent Jim Robinson said the resolution requests that if the state bans such icons, the department of education should find a way to cover the potentially high rebranding costs for schools.

Officials list 15 high schools in the state that use American Indian-themed mascots. There are also a handful of middle and elementary schools with similar branding, but Hunt said those have not all been identified.

Those using the “Warriors” name would still be able to retain the moniker under the drafted board of education administrative rule. That’s if they do not combine the name with “a symbol or image that depicts or refers to an American Indian tribe, individual, custom or tradition,” according to the draft rule.



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