The school that has educated children from the families of the last four Democratic presidents or vice presidents has decided to ban Washington Redskins themed clothing.
The student government at Sidwell Friends School already had passed a resolution declaring such apparel or swag a violation of the school’s dress code as offensive to American Indians.
But in his year-end letter to parents, reported by the Washingtonian magazine on Thursday, headmaster Bryan Garman said the Quaker school “fully supports” the move institutionally as well.
“Our student government passed a resolution stating that the mascot of the District’s National Football League team is offensive and antithetical to the values of the community,” he wrote.
The student declaration, first passed in April, said “we have reached the consensus that Washington Football Team apparel (i.e. clothing with the team’s logo or official name, as long as it contains the word ’Redskins’) is in direct violation of our dress code, and should be enforced like any other violation.”
The dress code says students “may not wear clothing with messages or images on clothing that conflict with the School’s values.”
SEE ALSO: Another high school drops ‘Redskins’ nickname despite poll showing most Indians don’t care
The student resolution said the school has a moral obligation to “amplify the voices of the Native American community.” More than a decade of polling has shown the overwhelming majority of American Indians don’t care about the Redskins name or support it — most recently a May Washington Post survey showing 90 percent were “not bothered” by it.
The ruling takes effect when the next school year begins.
The children of President Obama, former President Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore, plus the grandchildren of Vice President Joseph R. Biden, all attend Sidwell Friends or have graduated from it.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.
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