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Native mascots go under the microscope

Colo. measure would limit use of or even fine schools for logos
Colorado public schools that want to use Native American mascots or logos would need to get permission first from a panel under a proposal a state lawmaker has introduced.

DENVER – A Democratic-controlled Colorado House committee Monday advanced a measure that would limit American Indian mascots at public schools.

House Bill 1165 passed the House Education Committee on a 6-5 party-line vote to cheers from Native Americans sitting in the audience, some wearing traditional headdress and clothing.

The issue last was discussed by the Legislature in 2010. Since then, it has picked up steam, with national attention thanks to pressure on the NFL’s Washington Redskins to change the team’s name.

“You would have to have a very privileged view of life to consider redskins and savages to be political correctness ...” said Rep. Joe Salazar, D-Thornton, co-sponsor of the bill. “What we’re talking about is a people. We’re talking about people that have been disenfranchised over a number of centuries.”

House Bill 1165, also sponsored by Rep. Jovan Melton, D-Aurora, would establish a committee to consider Colorado schools that use Indian mascots. The committee would need to approve use of the mascot, or schools would need to stop using it.

The bill also would set a fine of $25,000 per month if the school continues using the mascot after it has been rejected by the committee.

In an effort to address costs to schools associated with switching to another mascot, the bill would create a fund for schools in order to make the transition.

Sponsors began the hearing by showing slides of cartoons accompanied by derogatory racial slurs. Rep. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, who is black, was so offended by the presentation that she asked sponsors to pull the slides.

But Melton, who also is black, said the point of the slides was to show what Native Americans deal with, adding: “The point is, there are students who have to go every single day to school and see savages, or redskins, or to see some type of image that degrades them.”

Only two witnesses signed up to oppose the measure Monday, including a Strasburg 31J school board member, home to the Strasburg Indians.

Opponents suggested the bill was steeped in politics, while not fully taking into account costs associated with the proposed mandate. They encouraged a local control approach, rather than a state mandate.

“We are here (Monday) to debate a bill that is steeped in political correctness and has, from where we sit, virtually no educational value,” said John Sampson, a member of the Strasburg 31J school board.

“We would prefer to deal with this on a local basis where I believe it belongs ...” he added. “We do not wish to denigrate American Indians, nor do we wish to dishonor them.”

About 18 schools could be impacted by the legislation. Durango is not home to schools that use American Indian mascots, but Montrose High School goes by the Montrose Indians.

pmarcus@durangoherald.com



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