Massapequa Chiefs Mascot Sparks Civil Rights Clash \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The U.S. Department of Education may investigate New York over its ban on Native American mascots. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the ban violates civil rights, highlighting a case involving Massapequa High School. The state faces backlash for allowing other ethnic mascots while targeting Native imagery.
Quick Looks
- New York faces federal scrutiny for banning Native mascots.
- Education Secretary Linda McMahon says the ban is discriminatory.
- Massapequa High refuses to drop its “Chiefs” mascot.
- Trump ordered an investigation into the state’s actions.
- Critics say the mascot misrepresents Indigenous history.
- Local tribes were not consulted about the mascot’s impact.
Deep Look
New York may soon face a Justice Department investigation over allegations that it discriminated against a school district that refuses to eliminate its Native American mascot. The dispute centers around Massapequa High School on Long Island, which has kept its “Chiefs” mascot despite a statewide mandate to drop Native American imagery from schools.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, appointed by former President Donald Trump, announced on Friday that her department concluded the state’s policy violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Speaking during a visit to Massapequa High School, McMahon stated that New York’s education department unfairly singled out Native American mascots while continuing to allow those representing other ethnic groups, like the “Dutchmen” and the “Huguenots.”
Standing alongside local officials and students in the school’s gym, McMahon praised the school’s mascot as an “incredible” symbol of Native American leadership. She emphasized that the Trump administration would not tolerate what she called an effort by the state to “erase Native American history and culture.”
McMahon said the Education Department would ask New York to voluntarily rescind the mascot ban. The request would also require a formal apology to Native tribes, admitting the state had discriminated and sought to eliminate Native American heritage in public schools.
New York state officials, however, rejected McMahon’s stance. JP O’Hare, a spokesperson for the state’s education department, criticized the visit as political spectacle, accusing Massapequa of disregarding evidence about the harmful impact of such mascots. He noted that the district had refused to engage with Indigenous communities who find the imagery offensive.
“Native leaders have repeatedly explained that certain images and names reinforce harmful stereotypes,” said O’Hare. “Honoring Native Americans means educating students about the real history of Indigenous people, not perpetuating romanticized or inaccurate myths.”
This conflict follows a broader national debate over Indigenous representation in sports and public institutions. Trump, who has moved to dismantle the federal Department of Education, instructed it to open an inquiry into the New York mascot ban earlier this year. That decision placed Massapequa at the heart of a long-standing controversy over whether Native-themed mascots honor or harm Indigenous communities.
Massapequa has opposed the state’s 2023 directive to retire Native mascots, even filing a lawsuit claiming the mandate violated the Constitution. That case, however, was dismissed by a federal judge. New York has warned districts that those failing to comply by the end of this school year risk losing state education funding. The only allowable exemption is approval from a local Native American tribe—something Massapequa never sought.
Supporters in Massapequa argue the “Chiefs” mascot reflects community pride and pays tribute to Native American history, particularly since the town’s name originates from the Massapequa, a branch of the Lenape people. These Indigenous communities lived in the Northeastern U.S. for thousands of years before European settlers displaced them.
However, critics, including Native American activists, counter that the mascot’s imagery is misleading and inappropriate. The depiction features a headdress worn by Plains tribes rather than those native to the region. Additionally, they argue that glorifying the mascot obscures the area’s colonial history, including violent episodes such as a 17th-century massacre of Indigenous people.
Today, Massapequa remains a predominantly white, conservative enclave known for its ties to New York City’s police and fire departments. The town has also drawn attention for its notable residents, including comedian Jerry Seinfeld, the Baldwin brothers, and the alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer.
Trump’s ties to the community are strong; he attended the wake of a fallen NYPD officer there and frequently visits Long Island, where Republican influence has grown in recent years.
As tensions escalate, the dispute over Massapequa’s mascot reflects a broader cultural reckoning—one where identity, education, and politics converge.
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