"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger should have done his homework on the origin of the word �Redskin� before nixing a bill that would ban the use of the offensive name on five school campuses in California.

His reasoning, that �Decisions regarding athletic team names, nicknames or mascots should be retained at the local level� -- doesn�t address the very real issue of racism involved here. We�re all in support of local control -- but this is not a local control issue -- it�s an issue of prejudice.

Schwarzenegger let an opportunity slip by to extinguish racist references from somewhere they most certainly do not belong -- our youth�s team jerseys.

A bold signature by the governor on this bill would have sent a strong message: racist mascots of any type will not be tolerated in our schools."

Get the Story:
Our Voice: Schwarzenegger erred in his rebuke of mascot bill (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 9/27)