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| The Daily Herald 11/14/2001 |
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by Jennifer Patterson and Danelle Wozniak
Renewed by a lawsuit, the debate over Huntley District 158's Middle School Redskins mascot began to slowly gather steam again Tuesday night.
The Illinois Native American Bar Association filed the lawsuit earlier this month, arguing the school's use of the mascot violates the United States' and Illinois' constitutions and the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
The suit requests the district change mascots to something the association deems is not a racial slur and pay court and attorney fees.
Just one person spoke out on the issue before board members went into a closed session to discuss the matter.
The board was still meeting in private as of press time, but board member Gary Slagle said he did not expect any decisions to be made Tuesday.
The issue already was the subject of hot debate this year.
In April, the school board voted 4-3 to keep the Redskins name after siding with district students and alumni who defended it, and said it has been a part of Huntley athletics since 1928.
The lawsuit, which the association threatened to file immediately after the board's decision, comes after a reported breakdown in negotiations between the board and the group.
"I's like to see it stay," said Bob Kunz, a district parent. "The board has bent over backwards, and it hasn't been enough."
Kunz told board members he thinks a court battle is not the way to go.
"When change is forced from the outside it breeds anger and resentment."
The board's April decision bucked a national trend abolishing American Indian mascots at schools and colleges.
More than 1200 schools nationwide have either eliminated or changed their mascots, according to a National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and the Media. Across Illinois, an estimated 260 schools still have American Indian mascots, according to the group.