Trump's education secretary threatens to pull funding from New York over its Native American mascot ban

[groundloop]

Source: CNN

New York is discriminating against a school district that refuses to get rid of its Native American chief mascot and could face a Justice Department investigation or risk losing federal funding, President Donald Trump’s top education official said Friday.

US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, on a visit to Massapequa High School on Long Island, said an investigation by her agency has determined that state education officials violated Title VI of the federal civil rights law by banning the use of Native American mascots and logos statewide.

The department’s civil rights office found the state ban is discriminatory because names and mascots derived from other racial or ethnic groups, such as the “Dutchmen” and the “Huguenots,” are still permitted.

McMahon described Massapequa’s chiefs mascot as an “incredible” representation of Native American leadership as she made the announcement backed by dozens of students and local officials in the high school gymnasium.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/30/us/new-york-native-american-mascot-ban

[Johonny]

1. Seems like the state law is reasonable

Doesn't actually ban at all. Laziness isn't an excuse.

Schools could be exempt from the mandate if they gained approval from a local Native American tribe, but Massapequa never sought such permission, state officials have said.

[Grins]

2. A pure publicity stunt.

The Secretary of Education WENT TO A HIGH SCHOOL over that???

I don’t live in NY but I can make a reasonable guess that 97% of New Yorkers:
a) Know nothing about it, or
b) Don’t give a squat if they do.

[Keepthesoulalive]

3. Keep the culture war alive

They have nothing but hate and destruction.

[Norrrm]

4. Secretary of education wrote a letter.

[Bayard]

5. If any school district is ever stupid enough to change their name to trump high school,

They can call their team, the trump Bigots....

[hildegaard28]

6. Whose

Rights were hurt, now, by changing a mascot?

[IzzaNuDay]

7. Hey Linda McMoron!

New York could withhold federal taxes until you’re gone. Be careful what you wish for!

[no_hypocrisy]

8. Hmmm. Keeping "The Chiefs" as a mascot is almost sacrilegious and mocking.

About 50 miles east of Massapequa are The Hamptons.

The land making up The Hamptons once belonged to the Shinnecock Indians and like American tradition goes, it was taken away from them. The Shinnecocks are now reduced to paltry patches of land and are "allowed" to have annual "Pow Wows" on Labor Day Week-end. Their traditions are minimalized. When you drive on Montauk Highway, you see a small variety of stores. Decades ago, they only sold "Indian beads" and cigarettes. They've converted to cannabis.

If Native Americans' status were respected and elevated, then yeah, maybe I wouldn't have a problem with the mascot for Massapequa.