A local assemblyman’s bill aiming to ban the use of the “Redskins” mascot in California’s public schools passed the Assembly floor Monday, according to his office.
Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Salinas, introduced the California Racial Mascots Act in the Assembly in December. It would ban the use of the name in light of public pressure for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League to change the longstanding team name.
There are four California public high schools listed with the Redskins mascot on MaxPreps.com. They include Gustine, Calaveras, Tulare and Chowchilla. There are 69 high schools in the nation with the school mascot listed on the prep sports website.
On Monday, the bill passed the Assembly in a 60-9 vote. It now goes on for consideration in the State Senate.
According to the full statement from Alejo’s office:
Today, Assembly Bill 30, authored by Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Salinas), passed the Assembly Floor with a bipartisan vote of 60 to 9. Assembly Bill 30 will establish the “California Racial Mascots Act,” prohibiting public schools in California from using the term “Redskins” as a school or athletic team name, mascot, or nickname.
“California has the largest number of Native Americans in the country, it’s time we as a state take a stand against racial slurs used by our public schools,” states Alejo. “This is part of a national movement and now is the time for us here in California to end the use of this derogatory term in our public schools.”
The “R-word” was once used to describe Native Americans scalps sold for a bounty, and current use of the term is widely recognized as a racial slur that promotes discrimination against Native Americans. The use of this term as a team mascot began in an era when racism and bigotry were deemed acceptable. However, recent studies have recognized the negative psychological impacts stereotyping has on individuals and groups. Recently, social movements to eliminate such harmful terms have gained momentum.
“Every September we honor National American Heritage Month,” states Alejo. “But the way we should truly honor Native Americans is to stand on moral principle and do what is right to end the use of this insulting racial slur against them. Many universities and school district in California have already taken the lead, and have voluntarily moved away from using this insulting term.”
Last year, Alejo supported the “Change the Mascot” campaign by passing a resolution that urged the NFL to change the Washington, D.C. team’s mascot. He even spoke publicly against the team name last year when the 49ers played them in Santa Clara. This year, Alejo hopes to extend his effort with this bill. This year, Assembly Bill 30 received strong bipartisan support in both the Assembly Education Committee and the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism & Internet Media Committee.
If signed into law, California would be the first state in the country to pass a law prohibiting the use of the term “Redskins” as a school or athletic team name, mascot, or nickname.
Assembly Bill 30 bill will now be sent to the State Senate for consideration.
