Back in 2016, a Washington, D.C., high school banned Washington Redskins apparel. Now, a high school in Bethesda, Md., is following suit. Green Acres School posted a letter on its website to parents explaining that the Redskins’ name and logo does not match their core values, or the school’s diversity statement.
“We cannot continue to allow children or staff members—however well intentioned—to wear clothing that disparages a race of people,” the school wrote in the letter.
“We expect our students in particular to express themselves as individuals, to be themselves, to share their interests, and not to conform to peer pressure,” said Neal Brown, Green Acres’ head of school, in the letter. “After listening to students, parents, and colleagues, though, I believe that our need to be respectful and truly inclusive outweighs our need to support individual expression in this case.”
Brown said that “Redskin” is classified as a racial slur, and therefore, is considered demeaning.
The ban applies to all Redskins apparel featuring the team name and logo.
If more schools continue to put this ban into place, it will be interesting to see at what point the Washington Redskins change their name and logo.
