LANSING — State Rep. Aric Nesbitt said Tuesday the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) should rescind a federal complaint it filed with the U.S. Department of Education asking the agency to prohibit use of American Indian mascots, nicknames and slogans in the state’s K-12 schools.

Nesbitt, R-Lawton, said the MDCR overstepped its authority by taking the issue to a federal agency, and signed a letter written by Rep. Bob Genetski urging the department to withdraw its request for federal intervention.

“This issue should be deliberated by a local or state board, not brought to a federal agency with little or no discussion among those directly affected by the issue,” Nesbitt said. “It seems that bureaucrats would rather get their name in the news instead of working together with the locals to come to a conclusion after receiving all the information and having an intelligent dialogue.”

 

The letter suggests that the 35 Michigan schools named in the case, including Dowagiac, should have the opportunity to address any change through local procedures and hearings.