Indian Mascot Controversy in Colorado

Colorado State Senator Suzanne Williams introduced a bill in January 2010 that would require public high schools or charter high schools in the state of Colorado “that use an American Indian mascot to either stop using it or gain approval of its use from the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs,” ReporterHerald.com writes. The Denver Post quotes Williams as saying that she “introduced this bill because [she] feel[s] very strongly that we need a conversation about the subtle discrimination between races and cultures.” Her proposal met great resistance from a number of the 36 schools the bill would affect. Loveland High School’s Indian mascot was originally chosen based on the results of an essay contest in which the winner said Indians stood for “ ‘bravery, loyalty, patriotism and dauntless pride,’ ” ReporterHerald.com states. The high school’s athletic director, Devin Anderson, said “ ‘we feel we can use [the Indian mascot] to the point of teaching diversity and tolerance.’ ” One newspaper sided with Williams, stating that “ ‘It’s time for the Red to go,’ adding ‘It’s unfortunate Williams even had to introduce the legislation,’ ” The Denver Channel reports. According to The Denver Post, Williams recently announced that she plans to withdraw the bill, “saying she has already achieved her goal of igniting community discussions over whether the mascots are appropriate.”