Human Relations Commission Pushes ‘Redskins’ Vote

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) tabled a vote on the use of the “Redskins” name by the Neshaminy School District.

The hearing was held Monday in Harrisburg and the commission tabled the planned vote. The vote on the decision could take place at the commission’s November 25 meeting that will also be held in Harrisburg, according to agency spokesperson Renee Martin.

The much-anticipated decision comes after a years-long battle over the Redskins name and mascot, which opponents have called racist against Native Americans.

In January, the PHRC held a week of hearings on the matter and had Neshaminy residents, former students, and staff testify.

The PHRC became involved in the years-long debate in 2013 when Neshaminy parent Donna Boyle, who is part Cherokee, filed a complaint that the use of the term, mascot, and related imagery caused distress for her child due to their indigenous heritage. Boyle had brought up her complaint to administration and school board members going back to at least 2012 and has made her voice heard from time to time at public meetings.

The 2013 PHRC complaint was dismissed voluntarily in October 2015.

The district has denied the school system is harming students and said the PHRC’s claims relating to the name and mascots are unfounded.

The Redskins debate in Neshaminy has gained attention from national and regional press over the past years. In 2014, there was a nationally watched fight over whether the high school newspaper could use the term and also over editorial control.

As school systems and sports teams across the country have dropped Native American-influenced names and mascots over concerns they are racist and derogatory, Neshaminy has stuck to its guns. They have claimed the choice decades ago was not intended to be insulting and may even be an honor.

The Neshaminy name is derived from the indigenous Lenni-Lenape people’s word Nischam-hanne, which means “double stream” and “place where we drink twice.” The Neshaminy Creek runs through the school district in Hulmeville, Langhorne, Lower Southampton, and Middletown.

At the January hearing over the issue, Chad Dion Lassiter, the executive director of the PHRC, testified the term Redskins is generally found to be offensive to indigenous people.

Supporters of the name have made the case that the intent is not to insult or demean but to keep the community’s traditions.

Following the weeklong winter session of testimony, PHRC hearing examiner Carl Summerson was to create a ruling and explanation for the case. The report would be sent forward to the commission for a vote.

Related:

• Week-Long Hearing On ‘Redskins’ Name Concludes
• Neshaminy Staff Testifies On Neshaminy ‘Redskins’ Name
• 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