Neshaminy school paper bans the word "Redskin"

LANGHORNE In a move embraced by national figures in recent months - including President Obama and several national publications - the Neshaminy High School newspaper editorial board voted recently to refrain from using the word Redskin in its pages.

The school sports teams have used the nickname for years. But according to the newspaper's adviser, English teacher Tara Huber, the 21 members of the editorial board voted, 14-7, to abstain from using the word this year.

An unsigned editorial said the decision was made in part because "the evidence suggesting that Redskin is a term of honor is severely outweighed by the evidence suggesting that it is a term of hate."

Another unsigned editorial, written by the seven members who supported continued use of the word, was also published. It said the Redskin identity had become a point of school pride.

"Neshaminy illustrates a genuine example of how, in present day, the attached defamation has disintegrated," it said.

Huber said the students decided on their own to address the topic. Previous editorial boards had also banned the word, she said, the last time in 2001.

- Chris Palmer