Students in the Lancaster School District begin voting on a new mascot name Tuesday. The Lancaster School Board recently approved removal of the former 'Redskins' name. Middle and Elementary students will submit their ballots today and high school students vote tomorrow. WBFO'S Focus on Education Reporter Eileen Buckley checked in with Native American John Kane who is pleased to see the former Redskin name removed.
"The word Redskins is a racial slur. I'm not suggesting that everybody who ever used the word is a racist," said John Kane. The local Native American is host of Let's Talk Native, a syndicated radio program.
Kane has repeatedly noted the Redskins name is very offensive to most Native Americans. Kane is pleased with the outcome, but he was upset to see more prejudiced rise up during the height of the controversy.
"Some real genuine racism did kind of percolate to the top over this issue," noted Kane.
Students will now select from seven new professionally rendered mascot logoswhen the vote Tuesday and Wednesday.
One is the Redhawks. Kane says many other teams who have dropped Redskins have moved to Redhawks.
"And in fact, somebody once asked me about a name for consideration, well it was always Redhawks, and I wasn't advocating that," noted Kane. "A lot of the teams that have gone from Redmen or Redskins have gone to Redhawks as an alterative."
Another name among the seven possibilities is Lancaster Pride. Kane tells WBFO News that's the one he's rooting for in the vote. "I hope that the don't pick Redhawks. I like Lancaster Pride," said Kane.
WBFO News asked the school to speak with students, but we were told many students, who organized the mascot voting, were "heavily involved in the execution of senior recognition" which was held Monday evening.
