Activist, author and attorney Gyasi Ross speaks to students at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. Photo from Sidwell Friends
The private Sidwell Friends School has banned clothing with the racist name or logo of the Washington NFL team. The change came after the student body heard from activist Gyasi Ross and passed a resolution condemning the offensive mascot:
Those who would discount the school’s move — and, to be sure, there was the predictable derision about political correctness — would do well to read the thoughtful resolution from the student government. It appears that an appearance at the school this year by Native American activist Gyasi Ross about the insult inherent in continued use of a racial slur as the team’s name prodded the discussion. “No matter our intent in wearing Washington Football Team apparel, as Gyasi Ross told us, its impact perpetuates stereotypes and takes the voice away from Native Americans in our society,” the resolution read. Mr. Ross, a member of the Blackfeet Nation who writes about race and social justice, also told students during his Feb. 29 appearance that “Quakers are always on the right side of history.” It is to the credit of Sidwell students that they took his words as a challenge and not mere observation. And in that, they are not alone. More than a dozen schools across the country have discarded team names demeaning to Native Americans since the issue started getting heightened attention in 2013, and California has banned its public schools from using the name employed by Washington’s team. Washington team owner Daniel Snyder should take note of the fact he is losing the battle with America’s next generation. Eventually the team’s name will change.Get the Story:
Editorial: Mr. Snyder is losing the battle with the next generation (The Washington Post 6/22) Also Today:
Sidwell Friends School bans clothing bearing Washington Redskins name and logo (The Washington Post 6/17)
Sidwell Friends School Bans Redskins Merchandise (The Washingtonian 6/16)
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