Mascots or Stereotypes?
                 World News Tonight

                 Wednesday, February 17, 1999
                 (This is an unedited, uncorrected transcript.)

 

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                 PETER JENNINGS There is another issue that is
                 causing some controversy at colleges and at high
                 schools. The Justice Department has launched its first
                 investigation into whether mascots with Indian themes
                 violate the civil rights of Native Americans. ABC’s Bob
                 Woodruff tonight on the debate in Asheville, North
                 Carolina.

                 BOB WOODRUFF, ABCNEWS (VO) For 42 years at
                 Erwin High School, the students have been known as
                 the Warriors and the Squaws. Then about two years
                 ago, the Indian names and symbols became the focus
                 of debates and protests.

                 RAYNE MERZLAK, NATIVE AMERICAN They’re
                 disrespecting the Native Americans, period. That’s the
                 way I get it. They just don’t care. “You all got a
                 problem, you all need to go home.” I hate to tell them
                 we are home.

                 BOB WOODRUFF (VO) The controversy remained a
                 local affair until last month, when a letter arrived from
                 the US Justice Department, notifying the school of a
                 federal investigation.

                 WILLIAM YEOMANS, US DEPARTMENT OF
                 JUSTICE We’re looking into the school to see if there
                 is a racially hostile environment there.

                 BOB WOODRUFF (VO) Those charges have been
                 raised across the country. And while about 2,500
                 schools still use Indian mascots and names, protests
                 have forced about 600 colleges and high schools to
                 change.
                      (on camera) But now the Justice Department’s
                 involvement in North Carolina has rallied students
                 behind their mascot. Last year, 44 percent voted for
                 change. This week, that number dropped to 24 percent.

                 FEMALE STUDENT I don’t think the majority of
                 students feel strongly about keeping the mascot, I think
                 the majority of students feel strongly about being told
                 to do something.

                 BOB WOODRUFF (VO) But at this point, the Justice
                 Department is not telling them to change. It is gathering
                 facts, trying to find a solution that both sides can live
                 with. Bob Woodruff, ABCNEWS, Washington.