A Column from the Desk of Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,C-Deerpark)
Last week, I sent a letter to Commissioner Betty A. Rosa of the New York State Education Department urging reconsideration of an outrageous mandate that forces schools to change their athletic team names if they were ever associated with Native American imagery—even if that imagery was removed decades ago.
Take Port Jervis, for example. The school district proudly uses the name “Raiders,” a name that hasn’t had any Native American imagery for over 20 years. Despite this, the state’s new 2024 mandate requires them to change their mascot again, penalizing them for a change they already made in good faith. It’s not just Port Jervis; Minisink Valley, with its “Warriors” mascot, faces the same issue. Their mascot represents strength and unity, with zero ties to Native American imagery, yet Albany insists they must comply with this overreaching rule.
This is government overreach at its worst. While Albany caters to a small, vocal minority offended by everything, it continues to ignore the issues that truly matter to New Yorkers—sky-high taxes, an illegal migrant crisis, and a mismanaged Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Instead of focusing on these pressing concerns, the state is targeting schools for team names that have long been symbols of community pride and local tradition.
As a parent whose son played football and daughter cheered for Port Jervis, I’ve seen firsthand the pride these mascots inspire. They’re more than just names—they’re part of our local history, they bring communities together, and they strengthen school spirit. This isn’t about offending anyone; it’s about honoring the values of the people who actually live in these towns and cities.
Albany’s focus on this issue is not just absurd—it’s a distraction. Our communities deserve better than to be caught up in unnecessary mandates that do nothing to improve education or student experiences. Local traditions matter. They are the fabric of our schools and towns, and they deserve to be protected.
To the people of Port Jervis and Minisink: keep your mascots, keep your pride. We stand with you.
Assemblyman Brabenec represents the 98th District, which includes the city of Port Jervis, the towns of Deerpark, Greenville, Mount Hope, Wawayanda, Minisink, Warwick, Tuxedo and portions of the towns of Goshen, Monroe and Ramapo. For more information, please visit his Official Website.
