If signed, the California Racial Mascot Act would ban the use of "Redskin" as a school mascot name. Currently four high schools in California still use what many call a Native American slur as their school mascot. Three of the four high schools--Gustine, Tulare and Chowchilla--are located in the Central Valley.
My heart begins to pound as I enter the gym at the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) on the outskirts of Chowchilla, about 20 miles south of Merced. Within moments memories of my own time behind bars flood my mind.