Antiracism

Race based mascot bill heads to governor

Submitted by staff on Tue, 04/20/2010 - 11:21pm

 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 - 9:04am

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 - 10:01am

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.

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

Submitted by staff on Mon, 10/26/2009 - 7:31pm

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.

Mukwanago "Indians" mascot challenged

Submitted by staff on Tue, 08/31/2010 - 4:59pm

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction held a hearing on Friday to address a complaint against the Mukwanago School district's use of the "Indians" logo and name (at left.) The complaint was filed by recent Mukwanago graduate Rain Koepke with the assistance of Barb Munson of the Wisconsin Indian Education Association's Indian Mascot and Logo Taskforce [Barb is also a member of the WNPJ Board].

Mascot bill signed; puts school logos to the test

Submitted by admin on Fri, 02/26/2010 - 7:32am
Governor Doyle signs race-based mascot bill, witnessed by students from Prescott High
 

Gov. Jim Doyle has signed into law SB25, requiring the Wisconsin Department of Instruction to set up a process to mediate disputes about schools that use race-based mascots. Noting that Wisconsin is the first state in the nation to enact legislation of this sort, Barb Munson of the Wisconsin Indian Education Association said, "I have seen the best spirit of Wisconsin in action - people of all ages, races and ethnicities working together to make things better for all the children in our state."  Full WIEA statement here, Wisconsin Radio Network report here.

Governor signs Indian mascot bill into law

Submitted by staff on Thu, 05/06/2010 - 10:56am

Gov. Jim Doyle has signed a bill to create a statewide procedure for handling complaints over race-based mascots and logos in schools. Under the bill, SB 25, a school district resident may file a complaint about a local mascot with the state Department of Public Instruction.

The local school board would then have to establish at a hearing that the mascot or logo is not discriminatory, or face changing the offending symbols within 12 months.  

Final vote Tuesday on mascot bill; help pass it

Submitted by staff on Tue, 04/13/2010 - 6:18pm

A bill that would block Wisconsin schools from using most Indian mascots and team names is scheduled for a final vote in the Assembly on Tuesday, April 20.

How you can help to pass it.

The bill would allow residents to complain to the state schools superintendent if their school district used a race-based team name, nickname, mascot or logo.

Bill on racist school mascots needs a push

Submitted by admin on Sun, 01/31/2010 - 10:03am

More than 30 schools in Wisconsin still use "indian" logos or mascots, but when native people in these communities raise objections to these racist symbols, they are often met with hostility and even threats of violence. Senate Bill 25/Assembly Bill 35 (.pdf) would create a process by which the Department of Public Instruction can review complaints about racist school mascots, and attempt to resolve these issues in a fair manner. Watch students from Prescott, WI study the issue - and come to the hearing in Madison. 
How you can help:

2010/02/25: WisPolitics: Assembly approves bill on race-based mascots

Submitted by staff on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 6:48pm

 WisPolitics reports: The Wisconsin Assembly voted 51-42 Thursday, Feb. 25, to approve legislation that could require schools to drop race-based nicknames, logos or mascots if a district resident complained to the state.

Republicans objected Tuesday to a final vote on the bill, forcing today's vote. They also objected to messaging the bill to the Senate to delay further action as GOP members complained over what they said was the oversensitivity of some and allowing a state bureacrat to weigh in on a local issue over a school's mascot.

Syndicate content