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Thursday, October 18, 2001
Indian group hints at lawsuits; some schools
reject change of mascots
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Two Central Texas school districts intend
to keep their Indian mascots despite requests of an American Indian
activist group that has prompted some changes.
Adminstrators at two other San Antonio school districts have agreed
to change their Indian mascots and team names at the group's request.
“I think we've made an effort and we've received no positive
response whatsoever,” said Jonathan Hook, president of San
Antonio's American Indian Resource Center. “So, the next
step would be to pursue legal options.”
Hook, a member of the Cherokee nation, has visited four districts
— Harlandale, Jourdanton, North East and San Antonio —
in a year to explain how the mascots perpetuate negative stereotypes
and ask that they be changed. Educators at North East and San
Antonio have agreed to comply, Hook said.
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights also called for an end to
Indian team names and mascots at non-Indian schools this spring.
But, Hook said, Harlandale and Jourdanton have made no attempt
to part with their Indian affiliation.
Guillermo Zavala Jr., an assistant superintendent, said because
the district has connections to Mission San Jose, the team name
has historical significance.
“The name Indian is in no way being disrespectful,”
Zavala told the San Antonio Express-News in Wednesday's editions.
“If anything, it's honoring those inhabitants that came from
the mission.”
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Copyright ©2001, Abilene
Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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