Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons, R-Alto, released a statement Monday criticizing the Michigan Department of Civil Rights for taking its complaint to the federal level.
The department filed the complaint last week with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, asking to ban the use of American Indian mascots and imagery in K-12 schools and deny funding to schools that continue to use them. The complaint says the use of the mascots denies equal rights to American Indian students.
Lyons said the department is "putting students' education funding at risk for political gain." She said the issue should be resolved at the local level.
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Comments
Lyons said the department is "putting Students" education funding at risk, How about the risk of more years of repression for the Native American student. To bad Michigan would elect suck a fool
Can someone please help me understand how native Americans are being "repressed" by school mascots? Perhaps more native Americans take pride in these mascots, what about them? Who actually filed the complaint with the OCR? Maybe this should be handled at the local level instead of getting the Feds involved?
Correction, I should have written MDCR instead of OCR above.
Ya, I don't think I get the whole correlation of repression for the Native American student from a school mascot. I think this is not so much a civil rights issue as it is a local school issue. If the mascot is offensive then deal with the school; not the government. Not so much to worry about around here with Buc's and Lakers, etc. Oh and sirhansalot, such is spelled with a "h" not a "k"; don't call people fool if you have trouble spelling.
Intimidation and discrimination is wrong. The Office of Civil Rights are here to help the schools resolve issues. Clearly, the Native American's and many others are impacted by this. It is offensive. Children deserve an education free of intimidation and discrimination. Hopefully, the issue will be resolved. Also, just an FYI....Grand Haven High School is being investigated by the Office of Civil Rights.
Really Lisa? Finally some justice for us pirates?
I am offended that you are offended. Thankfully there are no laws against being offended (that I know of yet), so you don't have to feel sorry about offending me.
How do you clearly know that native americans and MANY others are impacted by this? I have not heard of any one getting on this article or the previous one last week stating they were native american and it was offensive and there tribes were protesting this with many other tribes on this issue. Lets waste tax dollars on the indian mascots and the pirate of grand haven is what you wanna see gone, but lets leave the child molesters and drug dealers selling to kids. You would wanna keep real problems on the street for now and waste money on this foolish mascot investigation. GET REAL LISA413, lets get big problems fixed first
here you are ,,,,,The stereotyping of any racial, ethnic, religious or other groups when promoted by our educational institutions teaches all students that stereotyping of minority groups is acceptable ,a dangerous lesson in a diverse society. School have a responsibility to educate their students: The should not use their influence to perpetuate misrepresentations of any culture or people
I speak fluent sarcasm!
You find it offensive, I find it funny, this is why I am happier than you are.
Oh and last I heard, an investigation is not a conviction, it is something that is being looked into.
Yes Sandypants...The OCR is investigating...not about being a Pirate. OCR is investigating about racial intimidation. @rukidding, Yes-I find anyone that anyone that is intimidated or discriminated against is offensive. Sorry, you don't feel that way. Just for the record I am very happy and amused especially at your ignorance. The OCR investigates based on preliminary information finding violations. They just don't at a drop of a hat investigate. They will try to resolve issues with the OCR first before a conviction happens. You obviously do not know how the OCR works.
My mistake I guess? I thought this article was about mascots. Who is being intimidated?
Gee I feel bad for all of the students who are of Turkish descent at my kids school in Fruitport. That Trojan mascot is so oppressive. Lol
Yes thank you this did not pass. So much tax dollars saved on such a wastefull thing..
The next thing on discussion is the banning of cats and dogs at schools...
They are ready have.
Just talked to some tribes, they said just keep going to the casinos. Its all good.
Ignorance is bliss isn't it Jokeman....
Funny