Sec. of Education Linda McMahon is threatening to have a federal civil rights case brought against New York state for forcing a Long Island high school to ditch its Native American mascot while other schools with names like Vikings or Dutchmen are allowed to remain.
During a Friday visit to Massapequa High School, McMahon called the state Board of Regents 2023 decision to ban their beloved “Chiefs” nickname a “violation” of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
She said that if the state doesn’t reverse course and allow the Chiefs and their feathered headdress logo to remain she will refer the issue to the Justice Department to pursue.
“That’s how serious we are about it,” McMahon said inside the high school’s gym.
“If you look at the states, you’ve got the Huguenots, we’ve got the Highlanders, we got the Scotsmen. Why is that not considered in any way racist?”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
