Green Acres School in Md. to ban Redskins gear

WASHINGTON 鈥� Redskins fans who attend a private school in North Bethesda will no longer be allowed to wear apparel featuring the team name or logo due to a policy established this month.

Green Acres School sent a letter to families announcing the change, saying children and staff members should not be wearing clothing that 鈥渄isparages a race of people.鈥�

FILE. A Washington Redskins fan watches prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) — Green Acres School sent a letter to families announcing the change, saying children and staff members should not be wearing clothing that 鈥渄isparages a race of people.鈥� FILE. A Washington Redskins fan watches prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Many activists say the name Redskins is offensive, in recent years there has been an increased effort to attempt to get the team to change the name. In this photo from 2014, a group protests the Washington Redskins name across from Levi's Stadium before an NFL football game between the Redskins and the San Francisco 49ers. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) — Many activists say the name Redskins is offensive, in recent years there has been an increased effort to attempt to get the team to change the name. In this photo from 2014, a group protests the Washington Redskins name across from Levi’s Stadium before an NFL football game between the Redskins and the San Francisco 49ers. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

The ban on Redskins gear at Green Acres School came after a classroom discussions about team logos that are based on race or ethnicity. In this photo, people protest the Redskins name outside Lambeau Field before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Redskins Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn)

The Redskins are not the only team to face controversy over their name and logo. During the 2016 American League Championship Series, Native American activists attempted to get a Canadian court to ban the Cleveland Indians from using their full name and logo when they played the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto. The case was dismissed. FILE – In this April 8, 2002, file photo, fans hold up Chief Wahoo signs as they celebrate the Cleveland Indians’ win over the Minnesota Twins, in Cleveland, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File

In April 2017, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred met with the owners of the Cleveland Indians to express his desire that they “transition away from the Chief Wahoo logo.” FILE – In this April 10, 2015, file photo, Philip Yenyo, left, executive director of the American Indians Movement for Ohio, talks with a Cleveland Indians fan before a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)

AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File

The Cleveland Indians logo, seen here on Ryan Raburn’s jersey in 2015 during a game against the Orioles, has been in use since 1949, though in more recent years it has become less visible on the team’s uniforms. The Indians’ owner, Paul Dolan, has said that he prefers to keep the logo in a limited capacity and expects a resolution within a couple of years. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

The Atlanta Braves have also come under criticism for their use of Native American imagery in their logos and uniform.

File. Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Lucas Sims throws a pitch during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) — The Atlanta Braves have also come under criticism for their use of Native American imagery in their logos and uniform. File. Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Lucas Sims throws a pitch during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

In 2013, the Braves considered bringing back their logo they retired after 1989, seen in the background here in this 1981 photo, on spring training hats however outrage prompted them to change the logo. 聽 (AP Photo/ Joe Holloway)

AP Photo/ Joe Holloway

In August 2017, the University of Illinois announced it was stopping their practice of playing a "war chant" at games. In 2007, the school ditched its long time mascot, Chief Illiniwek.

FILE - In this Feb. 21, 2007 file photo, University of Illinois mascot Chief Illiniwek performs for the last time during an Illinois basketball game in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File) — In August 2017, the University of Illinois announced it was stopping their practice of playing a “war chant” at games. In 2007, the school ditched its long time mascot, Chief Illiniwek. FILE – In this Feb. 21, 2007 file photo, University of Illinois mascot Chief Illiniwek performs for the last time during an Illinois basketball game in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

The Chicago Blackhawks have also faced some criticism for their logo, though generally that criticism has been more muted. The Blackhawks have the support of the Chicago-based American Indian Center, but the center’s director, Andrew Johnson, who is Cherokee, told The Atlantic that at some town hall meetings, some Native Americans denounced the team name as racist. The Blackhaws have argued their name is not a racial stereotype since it honors a specific person, Chief Black Hawk. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

AP Photo/Mark Humphrey

Some teams, like the Florida State Seminoles, have entered into agreements with Native American tribes they’re named after to avoid controversy. Florida State consults the Seminole tribe for any changes to its logo and has had an agreement with the tribe about using the logo and some traditions involving its mascot at football and basketball games. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)

AP Photo/Phil Sears

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Green Acres School sent a letter to families announcing the change, saying children and staff members should not be wearing clothing that “disparages a race of people.”

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 only honest to acknowledge the times when the need to be respectful and thoughtful and sensitive overrides people鈥檚 ability to express themselves as they鈥檇 like,鈥� said Head of School Neal Brown in an interview with .

The ban on Redskins gear came after classroom discussions about team logos that are based on race or ethnicity.

鈥淲e want to approach this with children in a very age-appropriate and sensitive way,” Brown told Bethesda Magazine. “We鈥檙e in no way trying to vilify anyone for rooting for the local football team.”

The school instructs children from 3-years-old through eighth grade.

A similar ban on Redskins apparel was put in place last year at the prestigious in Northwest Washington.

Head of School Bryan Garman said the administration fully supported a resolution passed by the student government at Sidwell that recommended banning clothing with the Redskins’ logo or official name.

The resolution highlighted the school鈥檚 dress code which says children may not wear clothing with messages or images that conflict with the school鈥檚 values.

In a statement, the student government said it determined that Redskins clothing 鈥渋s in direct violation of our dress code, and should be enforced like any other violation.”

The ban will help “guide the educated Sidwell student down a path of ensuring social justice for all members of society,鈥� said the students. 鈥淣o matter our intent in wearing Washington football team apparel, its impact perpetuates stereotypes and takes the voice away from Native Americans in our society.鈥�