NightSide - Mascot Bill Spurs Debate

BOSTON (CBS) - A bill that would ban the use of Native American mascots at all public schools in Massachusetts was debated at a hearing on Beacon Hill earlier today. There are forty schools in Massachusetts that currently use a Native American mascot of some sort that would be affected by this legislation, should it pass. Massachusetts State Representative James Miceli checks in with Dan to talk about why he is against the bill. Rep. Miceli's district includes Tewksbury, which recently voted to keep their public school mascot as "the Redmen". Do you think it's acceptable for schools to use mascots based on Native American tribes, symbols, or traditions? Is it time to abolish this practice, or does school tradition matter too?

Originally broadcast June 6th, 2017.