Native American group sues Colorado over law banning Native American mascots

Discussion in 'Politics' started by gwb-trading, Nov 5, 2021.

  1. gwb-trading

    gwb-trading

    Well this is a new twist...

    Native American group sues Colorado over law banning Native American mascots
    https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/nov/4/native-american-group-sues-colorado-over-law-banni/

    DENVER — A North Dakota-based organization representing Native Americans sued Colorado this week for a measure banning American Indian school mascots which was passed last year amid a nationwide push for racial justice following George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis.

    The lawsuit by the nonprofit Native American Guardian’s Association was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, naming Gov. Jared Polis, Attorney General Phil Weiser and Kathryn Redhorse, the executive director of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs. The firm is representing a John Doe, Jane Doe and three other Colorado residents who cite Native American heritage in the lawsuit.

    The organization’s lawsuit argues that the Colorado law is unconstitutional and “unlawfully enacts state-sanctioned race discrimination” against the Native American residents the association is representing.

    The Colorado measure, signed into law in June, fines public schools, colleges and universities $25,000 monthly for their use of American Indian-themed mascots after June 1, 2022. The law does not apply to schools on tribal lands and also allows exceptions for schools that had existing agreements with tribes.

    The suit argues that the complete erasure of Native American imagery is not beneficial and that the use of positive and respectful Native American symbols and mascots in schools honors the group, helps neutralize offensive stereotypes and teaches the public about Native American history. The lawsuit also states that the use of positive Native American symbolism is a form of “reappropriation” or a way to “reclaim names and images that were once directed at them as insults in order to turn them outward as badges of pride.”

    According to the lawsuit, John and Jane Doe, who are of Cherokee and Chippewa descent, attend Yuma High School in northeast Colorado which is home of the “Yuma Indians.” The two want their school to continue honoring their cultures and heritage because as the suit alleges, they “would suffer a hostile environment” if the Native mascots were banned.

    The Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs has identified more than 20 schools across the state for violating the law by using terms such as Savages, Indians and Warriors in their mascot’s name.

    Spokespeople for Polis and Weiser said they would not comment because the lawsuit is ongoing.

    An email sent Thursday to the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs for comment on the lawsuit was not immediately returned.
     
  2. Overnight

    Overnight

    The Cleveland Indians, Washington Redskins, and Land o' Lakes butter ain't getting their mascots back. Sorry. Too little, too late.
     
  3. Wallet

    Wallet

    Native American’s, hey I’d use a picture of my Grandfather but it’s against the law. o_O

    Native American culture is everywhere where I live, Tribes do a lot with and for the local communities. There’s no identity or racial problems.
     
  4. wrbtrader

    wrbtrader

    Stupid lawsuit unless they (those in North Dakota) have a connection to an Indigenous American community associated with that school in Colorado.

    It's possible the image doesn't represent the Indigenous American community of the area nor does the school have any activities honoring the culture and heritage of the Indigenous community.

    For example, are there Indigenous American students attending the school, and does the school have an education curriculum associated with the Indigenous community that honors the culture and heritage ?

    Yet, if the school is on a reservation...that lawsuit may be able to win.
    • Personally, if sport teams, clubs, schools or whatever are using Indigenous American mascots while having no association nor programs that honors the culture and heritage... it's time for a new mascot.
    Rule of thumb...don't use mascots associated with a culture unless you have ongoing support from the local Indigenous American community. :cool:

    wrbtrader
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2021