DENVER – Republican state Reps. J. Paul Brown of Ignacio and Don Coram of Montrose questioned national pressure on the NFL’s Washington Redskins to change the team’s name.
They spoke Monday during debate in the House on a measure that would limit the use of Native American mascots by Colorado schools. The bill received initial support from the Democratic-controlled House. It could receive a final vote by the chamber as early as Tuesday, before moving to the Senate.
Brown pointed to his Native American friends, stating, “I have friends, some employees, that they’re really proud of the fact that there’s the Washington Redskins. I just think that we’re sticking our nose ... into the business of school districts, and it’s just something that I don’t think we should do.”
Coram added, “I’m not sure that everybody that is a Native American considers the word ‘redskin’ as offensive.”
House Bill 1165 would establish a committee to consider Colorado schools that use Native American mascots. The committee would need to approve use of the mascot or prohibit it. It also would set a fine if the school continues using the mascot after it has been rejected by the committee.
Facing budget constraints, sponsors of the legislation stripped the measure of a proposed $200,000 in funding, instead leaving its implementation up to gifts and donations.
Opponents, including school administrators, worry about costs associated with the proposed mandate. But supporters say the measure is about fairness.
“This is about respect; this is about community,” said Rep. Jovan Melton, D-Aurora, a co-sponsor of the bill. “We should not be using public dollars to degrade any group or any person.”
But Brown, a sheep herder, pointed out that he represents Southwest Colorado, where there is a Native American population, including the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. He said he hasn’t heard much of an outcry.
“I haven’t had any of them come to me and say that this was a huge problem,” Brown said.
About 18 schools could be impacted by the legislation. Durango is not home to schools that use Native American mascots. The closest is Montrose High School, which goes by the Montrose Indians.
During a marathon hearing last month, throngs of Native Americans lined up to share emotional stories about being bombarded by what they consider to be racist images, many spoke with tears in their eyes.
“If we were talking about African Americans, or Asian Americans, or Latinos, this wouldn’t be a conversation,” Melton said. “But because for some crazy reason historically we denied these people a voice, now all of a sudden there’s no need for it?”
pmarcus@durangoherald.com