California bans use of ‘Redskins’ name

The changes for all schools must be made by January 1, 2017.

California’s ban on public schools using the term “Redskins” as a team mascot, which Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law on Sunday, is a rare statewide win for a movement trying to get Native American imagery removed from team names around the U.S. He said in a veto message that the issue is “quintessentially for local decision makers”.

The schools have expressed the importance of having the community and students involved in picking a new mascot.

The wording of this opens the door for anyone at any time now and in the future to use this act to force a school to change its school name and mascot. These mascots are not caricatures and these terms were chosen to symbolize pride, respect, honor and fearless spirit.

The ban will go into effect on Jan 1, 2017 to give schools in Merced, Calaveras, Tulare and Madera counties an adequate amount of time to phase out all the materials that bear the name and mascot. “It’s just taking away something that’s so near and dear to their hearts…and by people who don’t even live here”.

Schools who now use the word or mascot have until the start of 2016 to choose a new name. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and billionaire Donald Trump have said they do not see a need to change the name.

In Chowchilla, Seals said no group has ever complained about the mascot, which represents more than a school since the town has generations of Chowchilla High alumni.

Brown himself appealed to local control in vetoing Senate Bill 539, the Confederate bill.

The most famous of these controversies is the ongoing battle with the Washington Redskins football team, which has pushed back against years-long criticism and advocacy to change its name. A federal panel ruled in 2014 that the trademark should be canceled but the team is challenging that decision in court.

Maybe Jerry Brown can try enacting a law banning the Redskins from traveling to California to play against the Chargers or the 49ers. Many Native Americans and school climate advocates consider “Redskins” a racial slur.