PAW PAW, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - Will the Paw Paw Redskins soon be no more?
The leader of a school district in southwestern Michigan says he will recommend that the controversial nickname be "retired."
Paw Paw Superintendent Rick Reo said he will take the message to the school board on March 9. "Our nickname is preventing us from realizing our true potential as school that welcome, celebrates, supports and challenges all students," he said, in a statement.
This comes after the American Civil Liberties Union last year asked the U.S. Education Department to investigate a "racially hostile environment" for Native American students at Paw Paw's high school.
In a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights on Jan. 21, 2019 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day — came after the ACLU and other nonprofits offered to help address "pervasive bigotry," in the district.
“All children should be able to attend school without having to endure racial discrimination and harassment,” said Mark Fancher, staff attorney for the ACLU of Michigan’s Racial Justice Project. "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of a day when children of all races, colors and creeds will be able to join hands as sisters and brothers. We honor Dr. King on this day by urging the Department of Education and the Paw Paw school district to pursue racial reform.”
The Redskins mascot, which has appeared on school signs, spirit gear and athletic uniforms, has long been a source of debate in Paw Paw.
The ACLU cited the Paw Paw Public Schools Board of Education’s vote in 2017 to keep the nickname and reinstate the Redskins mascot, saying the board agreed not to address it again unless tax dollars were being withheld because of it.
While Reo, who joined the district in 2018, first as high school principal and now superintendent, made his recommendation, he said the issue remains up to the board to decide.
Meanwhile, the community remains at least somewhat split, considering comments on social media.
Myan DeHaan wrote on Facebook: "Rick Reo? This is so surprising. He’s been a long time coach, kids all went through and we great athletes. I just don’t understand why a mascot is that big of deal. It’s not as if it’s something new with ulterior motives behind it, it’s been the mascot forever. Come on. Mr. Reo, as a former coach of mine through Paw Paw youth Sports, I would’ve never expected this from you."
Kristen Ritsema wrote: "I'm sorry but changing our mascot is complete bull—. Leave it alone, especially the outsiders who im sure know absolutely nothing on exactly how Paw Paw got the mascot. Maybe rather than worrying about changing the mascot they should put more effort into stopping the constant and worsening bullying issue our school has because it has gotten completely out of hand."
Diana Boelcke Davis, however, was in agreement with Reo. "While I am no longer officially affiliated with PPPS I remain with the district in spirit. As long ago as 2002 we had students who were uncomfortable with the Redskins mascot and nickname. Change can be difficult and painful, but the Paw Paw spirit will not die if/when the district makes a decision to adopt a new mascot," she wrote. "I was always proud of the inclusive, caring spirit fostered by the staff at PPHS, and I believe this change will be a step in the right direction. My advice, for what it’s worth: Trust the students; they will have positive ideas about how to keep the Paw Paw spirit alive. ❤️"
A Facebook group titled "Save the paw paw redskins" has 354 members.
WOOD-TV reports more than two dozen schools in Michigan have dropped the Redskins nickname over the last 20 years.