Vermont Rights officials want ban on Indian mascots

Rights officials want ban on Indian mascots State and federal civil rights officials next week will unveil their plans to make Vermont the first state in the country to enact a law prohibiting public schools from using American Indian nicknames or mascots. But, as Gov. James Douglas made clear on Thursday, their quest will be difficult and their chances of obtaining his signature on such a measure will be slim. "I certainly don't want any symbols that are offensive," the governor said. "But this is a decision that I think is best left to local communities. School boards can make those decisions for themselves." On Tuesday, the state Human Rights Commission and Vermont's advisory committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will formally call for legislation that would "prohibit using American Indian imagery for sports mascots," according to an announcement of their proposal. "Stereotyped images of other racial groups for school mascots and sports symbols are deemed unacceptable, and it should be the same for American Indians." [more]