Public schools in California would be banned from using ‘Redskins’ as a team name or mascot under a bill headed to Governor Jerry Brown.
Democratic Assemblyman Luis Alejo says it’s time for California to restrict what many consider a racial slur.
Alejo: “The ‘R word’ was once used to describe Native American scalps sold for bounty at a time when our state condoned the killing of native peoples. Such terms have no business being used as a mascot in our public schools or otherwise.”
But Republican Assemblyman Matthew Harper says that decision should rest with school boards, not the Legislature.
Harper: “The folks who should have a final say in terms of a mascot should be our local elected officials. And we should show them that respect.”
Tulare Union High School in Tulare is among a handful of schools in the state that use Redskins as a team name.
