Commission hears dispute over school's 'Redskins' nickname

LANGHORNE — A long-running dispute over a Pennsylvania school district’s “Redskins” nickname for its sports teams has been taken up by a state commission.

Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission attorney Lisa Knight argues the Bucks County district wouldn’t use a nickname based on any other racial group, so they should not use the current “Redskins” nickname either. Philly.com reports Neshaminy’s attorney Craig Ginsburg argues that students aren’t offended by the nickname and that it has been in use for over 60 years.

The dispute dates back to 2013 when the PHRC received a complaint which then resulted in the commission filing its own charge which accused Neshaminy of violating a state human-relations law.

Also in 2013, the high school’s student newspaper moved to ban the word “Redskins” from the publication.

If the hearings result in a finding of discrimination, the commission could order the district to change its nickname.