STATEMENT ON TEAM NAMES
Whereas it is the mission of the American Jewish Committee to combat bigotry and
promote intergroup relations, and;
Whereas the use of racial or ethnic stereotypes in the names, nicknames, or titles of
business, professional, sport or other public entitles is frequently demeaning, whether
intended as such or not;
Whereas demeaning symbols create an environment in which degrading acts become more
acceptable;
Whereas many teams still sport names such as "Indians," "Braves,"
"Redskins," "Chiefs,"
"Redmen," etc.;
Whereas such names are degrading and promote practices that trivialize and demean people
and religious beliefs and symbols;
THEREFORE, the American Jewish Committee deplores and opposes the use of racial or ethnic
stereotypes in the names or titles of business, professional, sport or their public
entitles when the affected group has not chosen the name itself. The AJC resolves to
encourage such entities to end their use of offending stereotypes.
Adopted April 28, 1993 by the Anti-Semitism Subcommittee of the National Affairs
Commission, endorsed by the National Affairs Steering Committee on June 21, 1993.
Tabled at the National Affairs Commission on June 28, 1993. Readopted by the
Anti-Semitism Committee on November 5, 1997 and by the Civil Rights Committee on November
24, 1997. Passed by the National Affairs Commission March 16, 1998.
Ken Stern,
American Jewish Committee;
Jacob Blaustein Building | 165 East 56 Street | New York, NY 10022 | (212) 751-4000
Ken Stern is the author of LOUDHAWK: THE UNITED STATES vs. THE AMERICAN INDIAN
MOVEMENT (U/Ok. 1994)