WASHINGTON – The federal Department of Education launched a “racial-based discrimination” investigation into New York officials on Friday after President Trump violated the defense of the Long Island School District’s “Masapequah” nickname.
The investigation will consider whether the New York State Department of Education’s board of directors violates Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. This prohibits discrimination based on race and national origin by federal fund recipients and bans schools using Native American names and images.
“The U.S. Department of Education will not hold back as New York is trying to rewrite history and deny the town of Massapequa’s right to celebrate its heritage at schools,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said.
“New York chooses to prioritize Native American erasure, rich history and deep national connections, but it requires schools to divert their time and resources from what really matters.
“The sector has not lost the presence of several mascots, such as Indigenous and ethnic groups, referring to Vikings, Irish, Cowboys and more, but New York has specifically chosen the Native American heritage. We’ll investigate this issue in full.”
The investigation comes after the Native American Guardians Association filed a complaint with the Civil Rights Office after New York officials filed a complaint with the Department of Education’s Civil Rights Office, which alleges they are violating federal law.
The association defends professional sports teams and other schools with tribal names and logos, and said New York is “targeting Native American groups and images by trying to remove them from the athletic contest.”[t]He decided to choose Native American as a class of people who cannot be expressed in public school images. That itself Discriminatory. ”
Naga vice president Frank Blackcloud said the state’s policies contribute to “a reduction in expression or our presence and contribution” to American history.
State officials say the policy adopted in 2023 was aimed at combating stereotypes and threatened to withhold funding for the school board in Massapequa, which is fighting the requirements in court.
The judge ruled last month against the Massapequa Commission, but federal review could lead to withholding funds to the state if it doesn’t recede.
Trump jumped into the controversy on Monday. Write on social media: “I agree with the people of Massapequa on Long Island who are fighting furiously to maintain the Massapequa Chiefs logo on their teams and schools. After all of these years, I force them to change their names, but it’s ridiculous and in fact, a humiliation to our great Indian population.”
The President added: “It’s become the identity of the school. What is wrong with using names? I don’t know that Kansas City chiefs will change their names anytime soon!
Kelly Watcher, president of the Massapequa School Board, praised the federal government for intervention.
“We thank the Department of Education and the Trump administration, standing with the Masapequa to maintain the mayor’s name and honor the proud history of the community,” Watcher said.
“We are particularly grateful for the support and advocacy of the Native American Guardians Association. Attempts to erase the image of Native Americans do not advance learning. They distract us from our core mission of providing high quality education based on history, history and community values.”
The New York State Department of Education did not immediately respond to a request for postal comment.
