In the latest development in the controversy over the use of the “Redskins” mascot, the school board of Port Townsend, Washington, voted unanimously to rename the Port Townsend High School Redskins, despite resistance from the community.
Students and alumni of the school, as well as area residents, gathered to urge the board to keep the name, which the school has had for almost 90 years. “It was never an issue,” said one resident; “it didn’t become an issue until about 20 years ago.”
Frank Boushie, an American Indian who moved to the area, walked out of the meeting, saying, “It was so racist in there.” But another American Indian resident and alum of the school said she never took offense from the name. “I didn’t, because I was raised to understand my responsibility is to take my name and make it proud,” Terri McQuillen said.
According to KCPQ, the state’s Board of Education recommended schools discontinue the name, but allowed districts to make the decision. The Port Townsend superintendent supported changing the name out of consideration “for lots of different views” of people “moving in and out” of the maritime community.
The name will be transitioned out in the next year, and the district will work with the community to come up with a new name.
The “Redskins” controversy erupted in recent months, focusing on the Washington, D.C-area professional football team. Some members of Congress have called for the NFL to change the team’s name.
Comments