The following letter sent to Governor Ned Lamont was received for publication in The Newtown Bee:

Racial discrimination is illegal in Connecticut, and offensive to citizens who support equality and justice in our state. Overt practices, such as using Indigenous Americans as mascots, are denigrating and encourage disrespectful and racist practices. Any human mascot or rallying cry — by its definition and intent — encourages denigration and disrespect by challengers while inciting and encouraging misinformed attribution by those who rally behind it. Further, these practices present contradictions to the messages and values taught in Connecticut’s K-12 research-based and scientifically informed research based curricula governing the study of civics and the social sciences in its schools.

Connecticut has a long tradition in correcting statutes, ordinances, policies, and practices that limit access, acceptance, and participation of its various racial and ethnic constituencies. It is, therefore, unacceptable that some local governments are permitted to support the use of Indigenous Americans’ images, names, symbols, icons, artifacts, and languages as caricatures, mascots, and athletic rallying cries.

Connecticut’s Indigenous Americans and citizens of other racial and ethnic origins invest heavily and willingly in its institutions — especially schools — to have them reflect the values of equality, fairness, and opportunity for all. These values are inherent in our state’s constitution, and have been consistently affirmed in the decisions of our courts. These values, in large part, define and affirm our citizen identity. Adopting and condoning humans — individuals or groups, especially Indigenous Americans — as mascots is corrosive to the environments in which we live and attract others to our state.

The nation’s recent history around institutional racism and school districts’ use of social justice practices as a context to identify and correct offending practices requires your unambiguous leadership and guidance.

We, the undersigned representative constituencies, request that you exercise the authority inherent in your office to correct the misuse of Indigenous American cultures in state-supported schools, and to associate your actions in this regard with efforts of the Legislature and the State Department of Education to provide research-based information to students about the various cultures and ethnicities that constitute our state and nation. Specifically, we request that you take the following actions:

1. State publicly that every citizen deserves dignity, and the manner in which Indigenous Americans are represented in the popular culture humiliates every state citizen;

2. Through the Connecticut State Board of Education, foster a dialogue among communities, school districts, educators, and students around school mascots, values, and symbolism;

3. Encourage and create opportunities for Indigenous Americans’ history and contributions, especially those of Connecticut, to be reflected in the body of knowledge expected of a Connecticut graduate and included in applicable state student knowledge and accountability systems; and

4. Take expeditious executive or legislative action, or cause timely policy to eliminate the use of Indigenous Americans as mascots by any institution receiving state aid.

Lastly, we regard this request as a general citizen concern and appeal for action, representing our collective citizen interest to create and sustain communities that are consistent with the principles that govern our lives, and that express our concern and regard for others. Requests regarding this petition may by addressed to the undersigned at 42 Lake Avenue Extension, #267, Danbury CT 06811-5279.

Sincerely,

Samuel Hyman

Former Manager, State Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities

Jan Lee Brookes

Former Newtown High School Social Studies Teacher

Glenda Armstrong

President, Danbury Chapter of the NAACP