If one Pennsylvania lawmaker gets his way, public schools like Indiana could be forced to change their mascots and logos.
Democrat state Rep. Christopher Rabb of Philadelphia is proposing legislation to prohibit the use of Native American and American Indian mascots or logos in public schools across the Commonwealth. if it were to become law, the Indiana Indians would be looking for a new mascot. Rabb introduced the initiative in a new memo on Monday.
In the memo, Rabb states that numerous public schools and sports teams in Pennsylvania incorporate Indigenous culture into their mascots and logos, despite social science research showing that such depictions cause “serious negative psychological and social impacts” on Indigenous individuals. He further argued that the continued use of ‘Indians’ and similar mascots “is a denial of the personhood of Native peoples, which has real consequences.”
The memo also references data from the U.S. Department of Justice indicating that American Indians are more likely than people of other races to experience violence from individuals of a different race. Rabb noted that the stereotyping and fetishization perpetuated by such mascots and logos are linked to the disproportionately high suicide rate among Native youth.
“For far too long, Indigenous peoples have endured discrimination, disrespect, and violence,” the memo states. “Our commonwealth cannot continue to be complicit in maintaining derogatory, bigoted, and harmful practices that foster bullying and other forms of abuse.”
Rabb emphasized that ending the use of offensive stereotypes in school mascots is “the very least we can do” to start repairing the “harm caused by the appalling historical oppression of these communities.”
If enacted, the proposed ban would bar schools that fail to comply from taking part in PIAA interscholastic competitions.
Rabb, who has secured co-sponsors for the measure, is calling on House leadership to move the bills forward, presenting the initiative as part of a wider effort to combat dehumanizing stereotypes of any ethnic group.
Local examples of public schools with Native American mascots and logos also include Conemaugh Township (Indians) and Brookville (Raiders). IUP changed its mascot from the “Indians” to the “Crimson Hawks” in 2006, following an NCAA decision to restrict Native American-themed mascots.
Rebranding following a high school logo or mascot change can range in cost from $5,000 to $100,000.
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