Almost a decade after American Indian mascots were banned from Los Angeles public schools, lawmakers are again considering a statewide prohibition on "Redskins" this week.
Proponents contend that the legislation would banish the mascot from five California schools that use it.
A bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles) would affect Calaveras High School, Chowchilla Union High School, Colusa High School, Gustine High School and Tulare Union High School.
A similar bill was passed by the California Legislature last year but was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who said the issue should be decided locally. He has yet to take a position on Goldberg's pending bill.
Dozens of civil rights groups and Indian tribes have endorsed the measure. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has endorsed a broad ban, saying the mascots trivialize Indian culture, perpetuate harmful stereotypes and are insensitive to the forced assimilation of native Americans.
Tulare Principal Howard Berger said the school, community and several nearby tribes continue to endorse the use of the Redskins mascot, which appears prominently on the school's website. He calls it a source of pride.
"We have never had a complaint on the use of the Redskin mascot from local Indians," Berger said. "We've had some e-mail from people from Los Angeles. That's as close to local opposition as it comes."
Goldberg says the Redskins mascot is racist. The pending bill would have the same effect as the one the governor vetoed last year.
"It's a time when people, rather unthinkingly, not with any malice, believe that you can pick anything you want for a mascot and it's nobody business but your school's," Goldberg said Monday.
Her proposal will be considered in a committee today. The Assembly Education Committee, which she heads, has approved it.
Goldberg has been backed by the Alliance Against Racial Mascots, a group that seeks to eliminate American Indian mascots, logos, team names and nicknames in all California schools and educational institutions.
The group successfully pushed for action in Los Angeles, then three years ago lobbied the Commission on Civil Rights for a statement of support.
In 1997, the Los Angeles Unified School Board bowed to demands by American Indian political activists to discontinue the use of American Indian symbols and mascots, casting aside the University High Warriors and the Gardena High Mohicans, among others.
