California governor signs legislation barring sports teams from using 'Redskins' as mascot

California Governor Jerry Brown signed legisaltion on Sunday banning use of the term "Redskins" as a mascot or team name in the state.

AB 30, the California Racial Mascots Act, was approved by the both houses of the state's legislature last month and was one of several bills signed into law by Brown.

Democratic Assemblyman Luis Alejo, who introduced the bill, says the name Redskins dates from a time in California's history when bounty hunters were rewarded for killing Native Americans and it should not be affiliated with schools.

There are currently four schools in California that still use the name Redskins for their teams. The ban goes into effect in 2017.

In a statement, the grassroots campaign Change the Mascot lauded California's new law.


"Their historic step to build a better future stands in stark contrast to the dogged inaction of Washington's NFL team, which in the face of all the evidence that this term degrades and offends Native Americans, continues to defend and promote the slur for its own financial gain."

A federal judge ruled in July that the Washington Redskins federal trademark registrations be canceled, which activists called a "huge victory" in the fight to get Washington to change its name from one considered a slur by many. Team owner Daniel Snyder has vowed to never change the name, and the team is appealing the decision.

Maybe the Dimocrats can get Gov.Brown to run for President.

Ikr....the govt is actually banning a word....and I wonder if any of the current schools with that nickname are private schools...

Btw...I wouldnt give two $hits if some school started calling themselves the Rednecks....I understand that I dont have a right not to be offended....that, and I have better things to worry about

So what happens to religious schools who want to use the name? I thought Governor Moonbeam would be the first to scream about separation of church and state?

Other than 'activists' has anyone filed a complaint, stood in front of some quasi government human rights panel and wailed out real tears about how their life has been made a living hell by the Washington Redskins or the Redskins name? I've never seen it.

When you do something like this you simply encourage the loons. Next? PETA is going to want the Dolphins, Bears, Rams, Bengals, etc to pay a 'royalty' for using animal names. Blue collar workers will now use union legal resources to admonish the Steelers. Left wingers will now be officially offended by the Patriots, saying it glorifies nationalism.

Insects? Oh please! They'll be flying in formation to spell out "We're Offended by the Hornets!"

Textile workers? Offended that we make fun of their products with the use of 'Sox'.

In Canada the NHL has 'Canucks' a slang term for Canadian. Montreal's team are the Canadiens (the French spelling). We are offending Muslims as we have a football team called the 'Blue Bombers' which many fans simply shorten to 'Bombers'. We even offend cowboys with the Calgary 'Stampeders'.

What name could you possibly use for a sports team and not offend people? Call it 'The Team'? Well doesn't that ignore the individual? The Guys? Sexist. The (City Name)? Nope. Some teams play in different states or cities, so that's false advertising. New York Jets and Giants play in New Jersey for example.

*sigh*

So when did we become so pussified as a society, that we're offended by literally every word in the English language?

Oh for heaven's sake!
Well they finally did it after all these years of talking about it

I don't see this as a matter of 'people are offended'. I have not seen or read one damn thing that says the Original People/ Nation/ Native Americans are offended. If fact, I have read the contrary. .. that they think it is ridiculous. * So they didn't start this sh@t.*

I see this as controlled speech issue, that will only get worst.



*Can we ban the word " feminist " next? That annoys me & I am sick of hearing it misused for 50+ years *

It's all about the power to control free speech. If the argument can be made to ban the use one offensive word (offensive to only a few) then it is ok to ban ANY words offensive to ANYONE. At that point, small groups of "correct thinking thought police" can make noise in the media to halt the use (including legal use) of anything that comes to mind (their mind only). The clearest example is the "N" word. Spoken by a politician in private is grounds for universal career ending public condemnation. Broadcast publicly by numerous Rap Music Stars or black comedians, it is either ignored or acclaimed ... but never condemned.

Where does it stop? It doesn't. If the First Amendment doesn't apply to all speech, there is no reason the other constitutional safeguards should apply either.

All that is required is the announcement of political correctness.

Totally makes sense... Why would anyone use or "nickname" their sports team or schools or whatever with a minority segment of the population?

This is Quite disrespectful actually. Has anyone thought to ask the native population their thoughts on this?

http://commonconstitutionalist.com/current-events/columbus-wasnt-indigenous-neither-were-american-indians/

you have much to learn Kemosabe, it's not about who was here first

"Washington Pale Faces" Let's make it happen!

you have much to learn Kemosabe, it's not about who was here first

"Washington Pale Faces" Let's make it happen!
---------------------------
Humm looks like Canada could use some schooling. Js

Mingle2.com - Canada- Antisemitism & Racism- Mingle2.com http://m.mingle2.com/topic/show/436585/

Really?

Those who choose to live in remote areas, have chosen to live in remote communities.

http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100013803/1100100013807


Browse the site Feel free to educate yourself, tons of valuable resources available to them... If the natives in Canada weren't happy, trust me, no rail lines, no power lines, no highways and if you really pizzed em off they'd blow up the dams. No system is flawless but it's decent.

This was NOT the point, the point was, you don't throw racial slurs into mainstream sports, entertainment or educational period. All my opinion of course

My sentiments

From the "Great Falls Tribune"

...
"The Blackfeet people have an important voice in the Redskins name debate.

Former Blackfeet tribal chairman and past president of the National Congress of American Indians, Walter "Blackie" Wetzel, is credited as the driving force behind the creation of the Washington Redskins' team logo.

"It made us all so proud to have an Indian on a big-time team. . . . It's only a small group of radicals who oppose those names," Wetzel told the Washington Post in a 2002 interview about Native American support for the Redskins and the team's logo. "Indians are proud of Indians."

Developed in 1971, the team's logo is based upon a composite of Native American photographs, including one of early 20th century Blackfeet Chief, Two Guns White Calf. That same photograph is frequently cited as the model for the Indian Head Nickle.

The Redskins organization has repeatedly cited Wetzel's involvement in the creation of the team's logo as evidence of Indian support. Facing increasing criticism for his refusal to change the team's name, in March 2014 Snyder announced the creation of a foundation to benefit Native Americans.

"With open arms and determined minds, we will work as partners to begin to tackle the troubling realities facing so many tribes across our country," Snyder wrote in a four-page letter announcing the creation of the Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation.

Months earlier, foundation representatives had already been in contact with Montana tribal officials to discuss possible contributions. According to Blackfeet Tribal Councilwoman Cheryl Little Dog, by November 2013, she and other council members were identifying what community needs the foundation might address.

As of September 2014, the Blackfeet Tribe has received tens of thousands of dollars of donations from the foundation, including school supplies, school football equipment and a passenger van. The foundation also has promised an additional contribution of playground equipment at some point in the future.

"To me, it's a great blessing to be working with them," Little Dog said of the Redskins Original Americans Foundation. "I have no problem with the name, I never have. I'm actually proud to see a Native American on a helmet. The name doesn't' mean anything to me. If they're here to help the people, then why not? We've all been called worse names."

Little Dog's observations summarize a common criticism over the amount of attention and resources being dedicated to changing the Redskins name. Native Americans both on and off reservations face many serious challenges. The name of a distant East Coast sports franchise is the least of these."

Someday maybe that koolaid will get bitter. You drink enough of it

To everyone else..... we are talking about California after all. You know.... The ones who choose people like Piglozi and the gun toting anti-gunner Freakenstien for state reps?

I nominate that Jerry Brown be banned.
That dirty hippy's stupidity offends me.

Not bad!

if there is enough of a population who oppose it, I can understand

imagine if the team names were 'honkeys',, or 'n.....ers'?

Funny thing is,that those NOT affected are yappin' the loudest!

That's hilarious, I feel the same about every single one of your presidential or political comments.