This Job’s a Local One

Native American groups have lobbied public schools, colleges and universities since the 1960s to give up sports nicknames, mascots and logos such as Indians, Braves and Chiefs. Stanford stopped being the Indians 30 years ago. The Los Angeles Unified School District banned Native American mascots in 1997. Still, about 60 schools in California, from the elementary level through high school, continue to have some form of Indian nickname and mascot.

That would change in a stroke if the Legislature and Gov. Gray Davis approved Assembly Bill 2112, by Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles). The measure, which also applies to colleges, has zipped through two Assembly committees without a single opposing vote. Democrats are voting for it and Republicans are abstaining.

Clearly there is a fear of being labeled politically incorrect in an election year. There is also the matter of the huge political clout amassed by tribes in recent years via millions of dollars in campaign contributions.

There’s no dispute that Indian nicknames and the stereotypical antics of their mascots, such as feather-adorned warriors stomping out mock war dances, can be demeaning. Yes, it’s time for these mascots to go. But those decisions should be made by the local school boards or governing bodies of colleges and universities. Administrators should not look to Sacramento to make tough decisions for them.

Goldberg’s bill also would ban any nickname that is deemed derogatory or discriminatory against any race, ethnicity or nationality. The state Board of Education and the Postsecondary Education Commission would draft a list of such terms. This seems to create a solution for a problem that doesn’t exist. Are we worried about the Fighting Irish?

All public schools should certainly put away their tom-toms, pseudo war dances and tomahawks and find other appropriate mascots. Here’s a case where educators who complain about the heavy hand of Sacramento should keep their authority--and then use it.