Nebraska civil rights committee plans hearings on Native-themed mascots | State and Regional Information

The gym at Battle Creek High School, home of the Braves.

Chris Machian, Omaha World Herald

Paul Hammel, Omaha World Herald

LINCOLN – A state civil rights committee has scheduled a series of public meetings starting Monday to investigate whether or not Native American-themed school mascots are appropriate.

The Nebraska Advisory Committee of the US Civil Rights Commission announced the web-based meetings to discuss the implications of the continued use of Native American names, images and symbols – such as Native Americans and Braves – as school mascots in Nebraska.

The committee will later issue a report on whether the use of such mascots can maintain or exacerbate harassment or a racially hostile learning environment for local students.

Jonathan Benjamin Alvarado of Omaha, chairman of the committee, said an examination of the matter was long overdue.

The first meeting is scheduled for Monday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Further hearings are scheduled for Wednesday and January 7th from 9:00 am to 10:30 am

To register for one of the meetings, go to the website: https://bit.ly/37v22RG

Call 1-800-360-9505 and enter the access code: 199 788 6470 for audio only for the Monday meeting.

For more information on the Civil Rights Commission, see usccr.gov.

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