District Staff Testifies On Neshaminy ‘Redskins’ Name

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission hearing over the use of the Neshaminy School District’s “Redskins” name continued Wednesday and Thursday with a number of people testifying.

The hearing on Wednesday featured testimony from Neshaminy High School teacher Suzi Drake. She said she felt the name is a “slur” and found it off-putting that students dress up in stereotypical Native American garb for sporting events. The English teacher also said the issue has become a divisive one inside the district.

Teacher David Heaney testified that the school district offers no specific courses on Native American culture and the Redskins name although students do learn about the culture in social studies classes.

Former Playwickian, the high school’s student newspaper, editors testified about the term and reaction to publication of editorials in the student-run publication, including one that went back to 2001.

On Thursday morning, there was a bit out of outburst from a man in the audience after Neshaminy High School teacher Richard Kain testified. The man in the audience yelled at the teacher that the Redskins name was “offensive” to him following Kain’s testimony that name was one that was revered in the district.

In response to the disruption, PHRC hearing examiner Carl Summerson reprimanded the man over his outburst and warned him about intimidating witnesses.

Donna Boyle, who is part Cherokee and Choctaw and has raised concern over the name for years, testified about her opposition to the Redskins name and that it created a “hostile educational environment” in the high school. She said the term is “harmful” and she wanted to protect her then-high-school-aged son from being “indoctrinated” by high school officials. Additionally, she testified that she sent hundreds of emails to school officials and met with them in person and via the phone over the years, but she felt it made little impact. While former Principal Dr. Rob McGhee did listen to her, she said she lost respect for him because she felt he pushed for the Redskins name and did not truly understand her concerns.

Boyle also alleged that a former school board member brushed off her concerns after previously telling her she was “changing minds” with her public statements.

As hearing has progressed, more witnesses have been able to testify each day. After Boyle, a Neshaminy parent testified along with district staff and a PHRC investigator who was assigned to the case.

Maple Point Middle School teacher and high school football team defensive coach Neil French testified that he felt the name was a “tribute” to the indigenous people who are from the area.

McGhee, the former high school principal and a current Neshaminy director of secondary education, said he gave Playwickian editors the freedom to make their own editorial decisions while respecting both sides of the Redskins debate.

PHRC investigator Joyce Jordan-Brown testified that she did not visit the Middletown high school or interview students about the impact of the name. She did speak to a staff member and defended her actions under questioning while insisting the probe was handled properly.

On Monday, there was some discussion on whether Jordan-Brown would end up testifying at the hearing.

Related:

• Teacher, Former Student Testify In Neshaminy ‘Redskins’ Case
• ‘Redskins’ Use Hearing Underway
• Neshaminy ‘Redskins’ Name Will Be Subject Of Human Relations Commission Hearing
• Editors & Public Recap The Playwickian ‘Redskins’ Scandal
• Playwickian Editors To Speak At Constitution Event
• Neshaminy Votes to Approve Controversial Publication Policy
• Could Neshaminy be Sued Over Newspaper Controversy?
• School Newspaper’s Social Media Accounts Taken Down
• Neshaminy High School Admin Accused of Pulling ‘Playwickian’ Copies
• Neshaminy Committee Tables Controversial Newspaper Policy
• Controversial Neshaminy Policy Going Back to Committee
• Neshaminy Board Hears Public Comment on Revised Policy
• Neshaminy Board Moves ‘Redskin’ Policy Vote on Heels of Letter from Lawyer Representing Students
• Neshaminy Lawyer: Editors Can’t Stop Students from Using Redskin Name
• Neshaminy Mulls Blocking Student Paper Ban on ‘Redskins’ Name