A Maryland school has banned its students from wearing Washington Redskins apparel over claims that it’s ‘racist’.
Neal Brown, the head of Green Acres School in North Bethesda, has asked parents to not send their children in with any gear that bears the NFL’s team name or logo.
In a letter written last week, Brown wrote that ‘the term “Redskin” is a racial slur. Its use, whether intentional or not, can be deeply insulting and offensive. It is a term that demeans a group of people.’
A Maryland school has banned its students from wearing Washington Redskins apparel over claims that the team name is ‘racist’ (Pictured, a Washington Redskins NFL football helmet is on display in Chicago, Illinois)
Neal Brown, the head of Green Acres School in North Bethesda (pictured), wrote that: ‘the term ‘Redskin’ is a racial slur. Its use, whether intentional or not, can be deeply insulting and offensive. It is a term that demeans a group of people’
‘Similarly, the team’s logo also can reasonably be viewed as racially demeaning. At best, the image is an ethnic stereotype that promotes cultural misunderstanding; at worst, it is intensely derogatory,’ the letter read.
Brown said, depending on the age of the student that commits the offense, the ‘punishment’ will vary. A four-year-old might get a call home to parents while an older student will be asked to wear a school shirt for the remainder of the day.
‘We will handle it in an age-appropriate, sensible and sensitive way,’ Brown told USA TODAY Sports. ‘I certainly don’t want kids to feel they can’t support their team or there’s anything wrong with that.’
The NFL franchise based in the nation’s capital has been nicknamed the ‘Redskins’ dating back to 1933, when the team was based in Boston.
Recent years have seen a vocal movement to get the team to change its name because it is considered offensive to Native Americans.
However, in a May 2016 poll conducted by The Washington Post, nine in 10 Native Americans said they were not offended by the franchise’s name.
Despite protests, Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has refused to consider changing the team’s name.
‘We certainly don’t want to vilify anyone who comes to school in violation of this,’ Brown said. ‘Ultimately, most kids won’t wear that kind of clothing because they understand why it is upsetting to some people.’
The NFL franchise based in the nation’s capital has been nicknamed the ‘Redskins’ dating back to 1933. Recent years have seen a vocal movement to get the team to change its name because it is considered offensive to Native Americans (Pictured, left, a fan holds a Redskins foam finger, and right, a Redskins T-shirt is displayed)
Despite protests, Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has refused to consider changing the team’s nickname (Pictured, Chris Thompson, left, celebrates with Niles Paul, right, after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants in December 2014)
Green Acres School, which has has roughly 250 students from Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade, was founded in 1934 and, according to its website, was the first integrated school in Montgomery County.
‘We have a rich history of diversity and inclusion and respect,’ Brown said, adding that the new policy is in keeping with the school’s history of social responsibility.
He continued: ‘The response we’ve gotten so far has been very positive and understanding, even among kids and staff members who are diehard fans.’
DailyMail.com has reached out to the Washington Redskins for comment.