Albany, NY – Today, the New York State Assembly unanimously passed legislation (K1202) that condemns the promotion and marketing of dictionary-defined racial slurs as mascots. The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman and Chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus Karim Camara, was originally prompted by students in Cooperstown, New York who voted to stop using the term “redsk*ns” as the name of their school’s sports teams. The text of the resolution references the civil rights groups, religious leaders, sports icons, Republican and Democratic Members of Congress who have this year spoken out against professional sports leagues’ use of such slurs.

On May 6, 2014, a bipartisan group of New York State lawmakers held a press conference to announce the resolution calling for pro sports leagues, such as the NFL, to stop using racial slurs. At the press conference Camara additionally called on all New York media outlets to stop using the term “redsk*n.” As seen in the recent media coverage of the NFL Draft, the term is still being used. In fact, the racial slur was used several times in the three major New York City daily newspapers in their coverage of the draft. Camara issued the following statement in light of the continued use of this derogatory term:

“It’s almost unthinkable that in 2014 we would be barraged by the media, as we have been the past few weeks after the NFL Draft, with the constant use of a racial slur. I’m calling on all New York media outlets to abstain from using the racial slur “redsk*n” when reporting on coaches, players, trades or anything relating to the professional football team from Washington, DC. It is my hope that the NFL, which has its headquarters in New York City, will come to the same realization that the National Basketball League did in regards to Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Racism should have no place in our society, which includes sports, which are not just games. They also reflect what we accept and embrace in our culture.

Until the NFL decides that the use of a term that is a dictionary defined racial slur should be stopped, the media, especially in New York, should stop using it. New York is a place where all peoples should feel welcome and not be subjected to racial slurs while reading their morning newspaper. Editors and producers already have guidelines in place to not use certain language, including racial slurs. The time has come for the term “redsk*n” to join the other racial slurs and words used to denigrated different ethnic groups and cultures no longer used by media outlets in New York.”