PAW PAW, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — After years of controversy, the Paw Paw Public School district is saying goodbye to their Redskins mascot.
The move came after Superintendent Rick Reo recommended that the district approve a resolution to retire the Redskin nickname for Paw Paw Public Schools at the end of this school year.
On Monday the school board voted 6-to-1 to retire the name, which has been an ongoing debate in the community. Many have been arguing that the Redskins name is racist, while others say it’s part of their school history.
“I think everyone can agree a school’s nickname and mascot should be something every student can feel proud of celebrating,” Reo said in a written statement in the district’s newsletter.
Board member Thomas Baney was the only person who voted against the resolution.
Back in 2017, the Paw Paw School Board voted to reinstate the Redskins mascot at all schools in the district and said they would not address the matter again “until a single tax dollar is withheld,” but a couple of their opinions have changed since, especially after the ACLU filed a complaint in January of 2019 claiming that a “racially hostile environment” exists in the district. This also launched a formal investigation by the The U.S. Department of Education for Civil Rights.
Reo said in his statement, “I knew then as I know now that, at least in some contexts, use of that term can be quite offensive. But in the context of “We are the Paw Paw Redskins!”, I have never believed it was meant to degrade, belittle or promote hatred against Native Americans. I firmly believe that nearly a century ago, when the decision was made by our school district to adopt the name “Redskins”, it was done so out of respect and with the intent to honor and celebrate the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.”
The room applauded when the board’s decision was made, but some supporters of the Redskins name argue that this move will just divide the community more.
The board hopes to create a committee consisting of students to brainstorm an idea for the new name. They hope to have something selected by July.
