California Bans ‘Redskins’
As Public-School Nickname
California became the first state to ban public schools from using “Redskins” as a team name, nickname or mascot on Sunday in a move applauded by Native American activists, the Associated Press is reporting.
Signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown (D), the California Racial Mascots Act, authored by Assemblyman Luis Alejo (D), outlaws schools’ use of the slur effective Jan. 1, 2017.
The issue was confronted in the Cooperstown Central School District two years ago, when it changed its nickname and mascot from “Redskin” to “Hawkeye.”