In Whose Honor Themes

Research shows that many Native Americans are offended by the team names, mascots, and logos. On the other hand, there are also many Native Americans that are not offended by this. In a New York TImes Article titled “In twist” , Eunice Davidson, who was wearing a fighting Sioux sweatshirt stated “I have to tell you, I am very honored that they would use the name.” In that case, Native Americans are not collectively against it and are split on the situation.

When the subject of Native American characters comes up in conversation, most picture Tonto from the film The Lone Ranger. However, many don’t realize how the film industry has created a stereotype that has affected generations of Native Americans. From mascots to logos of tobacco and other products, the early westerns have help mold minds into placing Native Americans into something they are not. The documentary Reel Injun help shed light on the subject as well as raise awareness to how these films have not only created a stereotype, but in a way allowed the Native American culture to become nothing but a myth.

Proponents believe tribal symbols display honor and respect towards the Native American people. They cheer that the inclusion of this iconography in the athletic arena serves to pay admiration and ongoing tribute to the identity of the Native American culture. They believe that rather than extinguishing Native American mascots as a symbolic reference for schools and sports teams, the choice to sensitively use such imagery should be without sanction.

To begin with, it is racist and derogatory to use Native Americans as mascots. One town in Montana, Ronan, calls its sports teams the “Chiefs” and the “Maidens”. In several Native American cultures, maidens are considered less than or lower than women. Also, the mascots of other schools are often animals. Using Native

The lack of accurate representation of Native Americans in our everyday lives has left members of society without more than a stereotype to draw from when thinking about characteristics of Native Americans. Native Americans have “relative invisibility” in mainstream media and this lets the few inaccurate portrayals, such as a sports team’s mascot, have an overwhelming amount of power in forming stereotypes (Fryberg, Markus, Oyserman, Stone, 2008, pg. 208). Many members of society have a very narrow view of what they understand a Native American to look, dress, and act. These ideas mostly come from what they see in media through the caricatures used as mascots, childhood cartoons, and similar

Chief Wahoo is a derogatory and racist figure that indirectly represents Native Americans. With Chief Wahoo’s blood-red skin, swollen cheeks, triangular eyes, a bulbous nose, an expansive grin and a single feather protruding from the back of his head. There is no reason to suspect that Chief Wahoo is less racist than other logos that represents Native Americans that are considered racist. As Lindsay Lowe explains in her article, “Honor or Insult?” She says that “American Indian mascots often look the same: They wear paint on their faces and carry weapons called tomahawks. Many American Indians say these portrayals promote negative stereotypes by making them seem violent or like cartoon characters,” explaining that these logos not only promote stereotypes towards Native Americans, as well as insulting Native Americans saying that they all look the same. Although people say that Chief Wahoo is just a harmless cartoon, some people

The University of Arizona is an institution of academic greatness, progressive social experiences, and brilliant research. As Arizona’s first, Land Grant University, it is home to many loving alumni who have built a rich and nationally competitive amount of school spirit and tradition. Though many traditions are visible and well known, such as the tale of John Button Salmon and his famous last words, “Bear Down,” there are many other intricacies and groups that exist on campus adding to the weave of the University’s collective traditions. One such organization is known as the Bobcats, a senior year honorary associated with the UA Alumni Association, that has

There is at least one school in every state with a Native American mascot. Using Native American mascots is an important topic and is debated all over the country. When schools select mascots,they use them for team pride, not for a joke. They are meant to show courage and bravery for that team. Using Native American images and names in professional, college, and high school sports teams does not reinforce and perpetuate stereotypes because the teams using them are taking pride in it.

Thus, it seems odd to suggest that naming a team after an Indian tribe is a calculated insult. A team or school embraces a mascot that represents the favorable traits and characteristics of its members. Such is the case with the Florida State Seminoles, who are named after a tribe with its origin in that southern state. The Seminole tribe optimistically favored the use of the Indian mascot and even facilitated the design of authentic dress that is proudly worn at sporting and community events. Similar to the Seminoles, the University of Illinois preserved their mascot, Chief Illiniwek, for almost 80 years. Named after the indigenous Illiniwek tribe, the Chief was a customary sideline figure at football and basketball games until 2007 when the NCAA forced the University of Illinois to remove this historic mascot. Unfortunately, the collegiate governing body failed to realize what this symbol meant to the collegiate Illinois community. Illini students were polled regarding the action and a majority disapproved of the decision. Sixty-nine percent of the students voted to keep Chief Illiniwek as their mascot. (Haugh). These students believed that removing Chief Illiniwek as the University of Illinois’ mascot would diminish the passion associated with their university. After the forceful removal of the Native American mascot by the NCAA, the students felt

All over the world people use mascots to represent something. I think using Indian mascots is not a big issue. Those mascots have been used to represent their power and strength. I couldn’t see a single element in using mascot can be disgraceful to somebody’s culture. Actually in my view it’s the best way of paying homage to somebody. It’s really a surprising that Indian Native organizations are also becoming sensitive about this issue. I have never come across a single person who ever describe that this mascot means something bad about something. Mascots always used to represent qualities of different things. What had happened with them century ago that was their fault. In my view Indians didn’t try to be part of new advancement which British brought with them and that was their fault. Even now if any nation is technically or by any means is strong or advance, that will certainly rule the others, if others want to survive they have to mold themselves with the new advancements. That was really great that Indian’s were proud of their culture that they knew how to live with nature and they tried to live with that. But Like Amash people here they are strongly committed to their customs and culture but they know if they won’t mold some of their living customs then there will be very difficult for them to survive, this is was the point that Indians didn’t realize at that moment. Indian instead of adopting themselves with new advancement they have

culture today, with the Redskins not being the only team that uses a tribal Native American name and mascot to represent their sports team (Grose, 695). The other team I am referring to is University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Chief Illinewek. Both the Redskins and Chief Illinewek exemplify disrespect to the Native American culture because they imitate their ceremonial dances and traditional clothing in a mocking manner. The traditional dances in the Native American culture are very sincere and dear to the people. The Native American culture is not something to be imitated for U.S sports entertainment especially because it is hurting an entire race of people, who have taken an action to put an end to the mockery of their

To start the article, Shakley tells the audience a story about the time he came home with a Cleveland Indians hat with the famous Chief Wahoo logo (The Cleveland Indians mascot is Chief Wahoo and is one of the most controversial mascots in American sports). This hat was later thrown in the trash by his mother (that had been fighting against Native American stereotypes her whole life), who Shakley describes as having “the look of betrayal”. Shakley uses strong words to describe his negative opinion on Native American mascots by stating that the North Dakota Fighting Sioux provoked a feeling in him that was embarrassed and angry. Shakley described it as “It was an irritant, like a long forgotten piece of shrapnel working its way to

Is it believable that Native American children face discrimination during their education because their schools have Native American mascots? Yes. However, are Native American children the only children who face discrimination throughout their education? Do mascots lead to discrimination against other races of children? Do African American and Asian children face discrimination? Do timid children, “nerds” and other various stereotypes face discrimination? Are all of these students not being discriminated against as well? A cultural mascot may lead to some discrimination against Native American children in school, but does it contribute to all discrimination against them? In Barbara E. Munson’s Common Themes and Questions About the Use of

The American Psychological Association had found that using representation of the mascots “undermines the educational experiences of members of all communities- especially those who have had little or no contact with Indigenous peoples” (APA). When people view a culture being paraded as a mascot, it can become their singular view and knowledge on the ethnic group. There is nothing to stop the formulation of what students know about Native Americans when there are few natives around. With the allowance of mascots to represent Native American in a way as they do now, wearing headdresses or war paint and using “peace pipes” has become a trend and something “cool” to do. Headdresses are traditionally a part of the Plains tribes and are considered sacred. Only revered warriors or significant people could wear war bonnets or headdresses. Feathers, especially eagle feathers, are very sacred to Native Americans. These appropriations continue to be a negative and demeaning aspect of using Native Americans as

Nevertheless, “the Washington Post poll was conducted exclusively by telephone” (Rosenstein 2017). This resulted in a highly unreliable product. It is unknown how many Native Americans legitimately protest these mascots. Therefore, a correct claim cannot be argued regarding the total sum of Native Americans that object Native American