Antiracism

Wisconsin's progressive Act 250 under attack

Submitted by staff on Tue, 12/21/2010 - 11:40am

Representative Steve NassState Representative Steve Nass (right) has drafted legislation that would repeal Act 250, the law that established a complaint process to address race-based "Indian" mascots and logos in Wisconsin public schools. "The bill also aims to void all orders [to change race-based logos] issued by State Superintendent Tony Evers under the new law," reports the Wisconsin State Journal.

Barbara Munson, of the Wisconsin Indian Education Association and WNPJ's Board of Directors, compared trashing Act 250 with "repealing the Civil Rights Act. ... Wisconsin is at the forefront of this civil rights issue nationwide," said Munson, a member of the Oneida Nation.

USA Today: Kewaunee High drops race-based mascot, chooses new name

Submitted by staff on Mon, 10/11/2010 - 1:51pm

Tell state legislators: Don't go backwards on civil rights!

Submitted by staff on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 4:08pm

Act 250, which became Wisconsin law last year, is landmark civil rights legislation.  It establishes a complaint process for residents of school districts with race-based "Indian" logos.

State Senators Mary Lazich and Neal Kedzie, and State Representatives Andre Jacque and Steve Nass are now reportedly seeking co-sponsors for a bill that would repeal this important law.

Supporters of Act 250 are asking Wisconsinites to call their state representatives and urge them not to co-sponsor this repeal bill (LRB 0456).  You can find who your state legislators are and how to contact them online, here.

Race-Based School Logos at Lobby Day 2011

Submitted by staff on Fri, 02/25/2011 - 10:42am

For WNPJ's 20th Anniversary, a grassroots lobby day was held on February 23, 2011.  Information that was developed for the lobby day and for ongoing advocacy regarding Race-Based School Mascots is found below.

 

Issue Backgrounder: Race-Based School Mascots

 

Race based mascot bill heads to governor

Submitted by staff on Tue, 04/20/2010 - 10:21pm

 Senate Bill 25, the race-based mascot, logo and nickname bill, passed the Assembly in a final  53-45 vote on Tuesday night, April 20, and will go to Gov. Jim Doyle to be signed into law. The bill provides a means of resolving discrimination complaints based on the use of race-based 'Indian" logos, mascots and team names through a form of mediation provided by the Department of Public Instruction.

The bill's success was the result of a years-long effort by Wisconsin's native American citizens and their allies, led by the Wisconsin Indian Education Association Indian Mascot and Logo Task Force, headed by WNPJ Board member Barb Munson.

Prescott students speak out on race-based mascots issue

Submitted by admin on Thu, 02/25/2010 - 8:04am

Students from Prescott, Wisconsin, made their opinions known and voices heard before the Wisconsin State Assembly Education Committee. After studying the issue of using American Indian imagery as mascots, students in Mr. Ryan’s class testify in support of Assembly Bill 35, a proposal to limit the use of race-based names and images from public school sports teams.

Osseo-Fairchild School District ordered to drop "Chieftains" nickname and logo

Submitted by staff on Wed, 07/28/2010 - 9:01am

In the first test case for a new law giving the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction the power to review schools use of race-based mascots, the DPI has ordered the Osseo-Fairchild School District to drop its Chieftains nickname and logo after the determining the nickname and logo were race-based and promoted discrimination and harassment. "This is a wonderful decision. The DPI got it exactly right," said Barb Munson, of the Wisconsin Indian Education Association Mascot and Logo Task Force.
The DPI decision was in response to a complaint filed by Carol and Harvey Gunderson, residents of the Osseo-Fairchild School District.

No complaint process for race-based logos?

Submitted by staff on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 11:48am

Rep. Steve NassAre state legislators trying to remove all avenues for complaints about race-based "Indian" school logos and mascots?

Representative Steve Nass described a bill being introduced by himself, Rep. Andre Jacque and Senators Mary Lazich and Neal Kedzie as "eliminat[ing] the ability of a resident to object to the use of such team names by filing a complaint with the school board or to obtain a contested case hearing."  That's from a letter seeking co-sponsors of the bill (LRB -0456/1).

That goes beyond simply repealing Act 250, which allows residents of a school district to file a complaint with the state Department of Public Instruction about race-based logos and mascots.  And if it's an accurate description of the new bill, it may leave Wisconsinites no recourse to address important civil rights concerns.

NIEA Resolution passes,calling for the elimination of race-based Indian logos & mascots

Submitted by staff on Mon, 10/26/2009 - 6:31pm

Press release from the Wisconsin Indian Education Association 'Indian' Mascot and Logo Taskforce 10/26/09. The  National Indian Education Association calls for immediate elimination of race-based Indian logos, mascots, and names from educational institutions throughout the nation.

Mukwonago residents file suit over logo decision

Submitted by staff on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 5:08pm

"Two Mukwonago residents have filed a lawsuit against the state Department of Public Instruction that challenges the DPI's decision to order the Mukwonago School District to change its Indian nickname and logo," reports the Living Lake Country blog.

"School Superintendent Paul Strobel said the School District is in no way behind the lawsuit and is not funding the lawsuit, which claims the state law allowing residents to file complaints about district logos is 'vague and ambiguous.'"

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