Analyzing Team Names and Mascots by S. L. Price's Article, The Indian Wars

“To remember who you are, you will need to forget what society has tried to teach you to be...culture matters. Be proud.” These words from an unknown Native American about one major subject: Native American culture. The beliefs of Native culture have been with Native people for as long as they have lived. They believe in sacred acts that have supported and healed Natives and better their heritage. Then Whites began to make American Indian mascots to “honor” Natives. They have had a purpose to honor Natives, but have recently shown a bias towards Natives. Over the past 30 years, there has been a national argument between non-natives and Natives as to whether school and professional sports teams should use Native American imagery as their mascots,

Can you imagine how hurtful and offensive it would be to feel discriminating? Many people acknowledge that mascots are used as a symbolic identification in many schools and sports teams of all sorts. For many years, people from the Native American Culture have encountered inappropriate displays of Indian names and mascots in sports. It is also known that most people have aroused conflict because of many misinterpretations over certain mascots that have been used by well-known and popular sports team. In the essay, “Indian Mascots–You’re Out” Jack Shakely introduces the reader with some background information of his first experience he had where Indians were portrayed as a sports team’s mascot, in a way that can offend someone. Shakely’s

The Washington Redskins name and mascot represents one of the most recognized American Indian figures in the United States. The controversial team name has been used since 1933, ever since changing from its original name “Boston Braves”. It has sparked a nationwide outcry among the remaining Native Americans who reside in the United States. Indians are forced to be reduced to cartoon savages, ferocious warriors, and animal like heathens. After centuries of rampant dismissal, removal, and destruction of this group, White Americans are still finding ways to subtly keep these barriers in place which separates them. America’s growing tolerance of racist stereotypes is disturbing. The fact that many Americans do not realize that these

In an article, it states “ Since the 1960s, as part of the indigenous civil rights movements, there have been a number of protests and other actions by Native Americans and their supporters targeting the more prominent use of such names and images by professional franchises such as the Cleveland Indians (in particular their "Chief Wahoo" logo); and the Washington Redskins(the term "redskins" being defined in most American English dictionaries as 'derogatory slang)”. This shows how the Indians and Redskins logos are looked at as racist and derogatory slangs. Also, in the article it states “Often citing a long held myth by non-Native people that "Indian" mascots "honor Native people," American sports businesses such as the NFL's Washington 'Redskins' and Kansas City 'Chiefs', MLB's Cleveland 'Indians' and Atlanta 'Braves', and the NHL's Chicago Black Hawks, continue to profit from harmful stereotypes originated during a time when white superiority and segregation were commonplace." This shows how teams continue to promote harmful and derogatory stereotypes in there businesses. Also, this shows the disrespect that these American national businesses sends towards Native Americans.In Conclusion, this is why the Redskins should change their

Prior to looking at this section, if anyone were to ask me about my opinion on using a Native American logo or nickname for a sports team I would be indifferent. I wouldn’t feel right about having my own opinion because I have not been a part of a race or culture that has or is looked down upon. After reading Tim Wise’s article and going through the notes, I still feel like I do not have much say in whether or not these teams should be able to keep their logos and nicknames because I am not directly affected and it is hard to put myself into the position of the Native American people; although, I do understand where they are coming from. With that being said, teams should not have names and mascots that are going to offend other cultures.

Imagine cheering, laughter, and a group chanting their name; Hundreds or thousands of people unified with dreams of their mascot and team becoming victorious; Many people full of pride, brandishing their logo on shirts, jerseys, posters, and on the walls of their school. Imagine entire families supporting a tradition decades old. Then, imagine that the very same logo, which so many people enjoyed, was demeaning to you and your loved ones. Their symbol of unification misrepresented your culture and beliefs by depicting your family as savages and brutes, making a mockery of your culture through the use of offensive slogans, chants, and pictures. This is the kind of struggle which Native Americans face every day. Many schools and other teams use

Sports teams across the United States, ranging from high school to college all the way to the NFL teams, have derogatory names and logos that come from a variety of sources. Some of the most controversial names come from Indigenous culture, such as the Washington Redskins. The ongoing battle between who owns the name and whether or not these sports teams can use the names, is nothing new. This issue has been evident in our culture for many years, with still no substantial resolution. Although minor changes have been made within different sources of this racism, nothing has come along as concrete as many supporters would like it to be.

Native Americans see this issue of mascots as a topic that needs discussion. This discussion is seen by Native Americans as a way to learn about their culture as written by Paul Lukas in an interview with Frank Cloutier, a Native American man,

“Whenever the white man treats the Indian as they treat each other, then we will have no more wars. We shall all be alike-brothers of one father and one mother, with one sky above us, and one country around us.” Chief Joseph. Whether or not to use Native American names as sports teams mascots has recently been debated. The supporters of keeping Native American mascots believe they should keep them due to the honor that the sports teams bring the tribe. However, opponents believe that the teams should do away with the names due to the insulting and racist stereotypes. This is why we need to abolish the use of Native American mascots.

Through American history prejudice, racial discrimination, and other forms of racism have been constant in the mistreatment of Native Americans. Through the actions of genocide, displacement, slavery, and other heinous acts, Native Americans still are being racially profiled as savages and being seen as primitive people. Several professional sports teams use Native American people or icons as their mascots. By doing this they are misrepresenting the indigenous people. Having a Native American mascot is dishonorable to Native Americans, and translates to other racial actions, and also degrades religious attire.

There are thousands of sport teams, from high school to professional, that have mascots that reference Native American culture. In an increasingly diverse and conscientious American culture, the question still stands is it appropriate for teams to continue to use mascots that appropriate another culture? John Barr reminds us that “I think that what I would encourage you to do and everyone else to do is just look at the history, understand where the name came from, understand that it means… honor, it means respect, it means pride. And it’s that simple” (Wulf). Barr’s point is that when teams pick this name it is an honor to be called a Native American name. In Barr’s point I would highly agree with him because, my family takes heart to that.

Someone calling them a name or making fun of them has offended countless people. It happens even more to celebrities, politicians, and anyone in the public eye. A good majority of native Americans tribes and government are criticizing the use of Indians names and mascots in sports. The topic is a controversial one, as it has been argued over for the past decade. People are shocked if using these sort of names are fitting or offensive to the indian tribe the sports team is named after. The controversy raises the question: should Indian names and mascots be allowed to

The use of Native Americans as mascots or team names has developed an issue that has been drawing controversy in today’s society. The question that must be asked then is: Why do we as a society quietly permit such disrespectful and hurtful conduct towards Native Americans continue, without taking any affirmative action to restrict it? Having people who run around in war paint and headdresses whooping it up at the sport games doesn’t honor anyone’s culture. It just praises racism and encourages people to learn nothing about Native American culture making mascots and team names insulting.

Unfortunately, sports teams in America have claimed the Native American Indian as their mascots. Many are enraged to see their culture and people used as a mascot and it is an insult to their heritage. Sadly, the fans and administrators do not feel the same

The controversy over ethnic mascots and tribal names is not a new debate as the dispute over whether Native American mascots should be used as a team symbol dates back to the 1970’s. Some high schools and collegiate universities across the United States have Indian Mascots in place for half a century and in the past few decades or so, it has become a major problem to use Indian Mascots. Over 500 Native American organizations also announced their support for the removal of those mascots and over 1200 schools across the United States have changed the name of their sports teams.