Oneida Nation Applauds New York State Assembly for Unanimous Passage of Resolution Calling on Pro Sports Leagues to Stop Using Racial Slurs such as the Offensive R-Word
Oneida Nation Homelands (NY) (PRWEB) May 19, 2014 -- As NFL owners gather today for the NFL Spring Meeting in Atlanta, the New York State Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution calling upon professional sports leagues to end their use of racial slurs. The Resolution, introduced in New York State, where the NFL is headquartered, specifically cites the Washington NFL team’s R-word mascot as a dictionary-defined epithet.
The Oneida Indian Nation, leader of the Change the Mascot campaign, today praised New York State legislators for their passage of this resolution taking a strong stance against the use of hurtful and derogatory terms like the R-word.
The new resolution passed today after being introduced by New York State Assemblyman and Chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus Karim Camara and Assembly Member Keith Wright.* New York State Senators Joe Griffo and George Maziarz have also introduced a similar resolution in the state senate.
Ray Halbritter, Oneida Indian Nation Representative, said in response to the unanimously passed resolution: “Today is so significant because this resolution signifies that New York is making a statement that it wants to stand on the right side of history. New York’s lawmakers clearly understand how important state legislatures have been to previous movements against pathologies like bigotry and inequality.”
Halbritter added: “Speaking out to end an injustice is never easy. It wasn't easy for those heroes who came before us, such as the state legislatures who stood with the civil rights movement and against segregation. But that is why we look at these members with such respect - because they are standing up and using their platform for a just and moral cause.”
Since its formation, Change the Mascot has garnered increasing support from bipartisan political leaders, religious groups, Native American tribes, educational systems, civil rights organizations, and even the President of the United States. After airing nationwide radio ads throughout the past NFL season calling for a name change, the campaign plans to continue its efforts in the upcoming 2014-2015 season.
*New York lawmakers denounce NFL Redskins name, 5/6/14,http://online.wsj.com/article/AP6f15681d25c04d92b685ddffb4b8d8f7.html
Brett Stagnitti, Oneida Indian Nation, +1 (315) 829-8310, [email protected]
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