Speech On Mascots

The idea of using Native American names and images in sports has been a topic of public

Teams in every sport, at every level of competition, have a mascot. It is the mascot that represents the competitive spirit and team identity, motivating players and fans alike. Does the symbol chosen have any impact on whether a team wins or loses? Unlikely. But the choice of a Native American mascot continues to ignite debate and controversy among athletes, fans and alumni, as well as those people who might otherwise be disinterested in sports. Utilizing an Indian mascot is nothing more than a veiled attempt at hate speech.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines mascot as, “a person, animal, or object used as a symbol to represent a group (such as a sports team) and to bring good luck.” Hopeful sports teams around the United States rely on their mascots to bring in positive energy as motivation to help win the game. The mascot often serves as the face of a team, and acts to define the team’s character to their opponents. The mascots represent the community that the team belongs to, and that is a big role. When a mascot is offensive or isolates a particular group of people, the mascot can also bring negative attention to the team. The negative publicity will often result in a mascot change.

Teams in every sport, at every level of competition, have a mascot. It is the mascot that represents the competitive spirit and team identity, motivating players and fans alike. Does the symbol chosen as a mascot have any impact on whether a team wins or loses? Unlikely. But the choice of a Native American mascot continues to ignite debate and controversy among athletes, fans and alumni, as well as those people who might otherwise be disinterested in sports. Why all the controversy?

As a young country, Australia feels like they have to prove themselves, and they reckon the best way for them to do that is on the competitive playing field(2). The nation’s character and identity always seems to be on trial during international sporting events, and the nation prides themselves on international victory. Victories against England and the United States are especially sweet to Australians because of their relationship with these superpower countries. Matches against New Zealand are also of the utmost importance to Australians pride because of the proximity of their neighboring country. Issues of national identity are always at stake when Australia competes against these countries.

Former chair of the Los Angeles Native American Commission, Jack Shakley, in his argument, “Indian Mascots-You’re Out!” disputes whether Native American mascots should be allowed to be the face of American sports teams. Shakley’s purpose is to convey the idea that is insensitive to have Native Americans as mascots. Jack Shakley uses a passionate tone to show readers that not only is using a Native American mascot racist, but it is wrong and should be changed to a less offensive mascot. Shakley starts off using pathos to the readers by telling a story from his childhood. In the article, Shakley demonstrates the ability to use strong pathos and logos arguments to support his claims that we should get rid of Native American mascots and steam names.

“It 's more than mascot status. It 's hero worship.” by David Young. Throughout history, people has used mascot to instill inspiration and fear toward an idea. Mascots image has been utilized to impart spark and dread to our thoughts. The Egyptians had their Pharaoh, the Greek Olympians had the Gods, and Roman Gladiators used brute and strength to flare up the crowd’s attention. This quote by David Young was simply signifying the main ideas behind an organizational mascot. It 's more than mascot status when there is far more concept to the image it used. Even though Native American Mascots are very offensive toward the tribal nations, Indian Mascots should be viewed with honor and pride toward the team 's franchise where by like animal themed mascots, Native mascots are to be viewed with equality as other teams that promote the spirit and effort of the team organization. A mascot is any individual, animal, or thing thought to bring fortunes or anything used to address a social affair with a common open character, for instance, a school, capable recreations bunch, society, military unit, or brand name. Mascots are similarly used as narrative, operators delegates for client things, for instance, the rabbit used as a piece of advancing and promoting for the General Mills brand of breakfast oat, Trix. In the domain of diversified sports team, mascots are in like manner used for advancing. Mascots are every now and again confused for gathering monikers. While

Controversial mascots have plagued American Sport’s history even as early as the 20th century. They have a history, uncanny to any other mascot, as what other country has had its indigenous people killed, forcibly located, taught to ‘kill the Indian’ inside of them, and then to top it off create an outdated caricature filled with stereotypes to remind others of the “savage” beast that once was.

Cathy’s efforts have been rewarded all throughout her career. She was the first Aboriginal person to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal. The first Aboriginal women to compete in the Olympic Games, where she was recognised as Young Australian of the Year Award, at only age 17. After, in 1998 she was awarded Australian of the Year, being the first person to receive both awards. This was because of Cathy’s efforts where she won gold in both her 200-metre and 400-metre events in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. This was a very notable event, as Cathy went on to do a victory lap holding both the Australian flag, as well as the native Aboriginal flag (Australian of the Year Awards, n.d.).

Team mascots purpose are to add personality. It sends the right message out to your audience. Without a team mascot you have no face to your brand then you are just another brand. You create a physical and emotional connection with your audience.

“As the nation’s oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native advocacy organization, NCAI has long held a clear position against derogatory and harmful stereotypes of Native people—including sports mascots—in media and popular culture” (“Ending the Era of Harmful ’Indian’ Mascots” 1). Native Americans have been used as mascots and names for several high school, college, and professional teams such as the Washington Redskins with their Native American mascot. The term “Redskins” or any other term about Native Americans should not be used for any sports teams at any level, because it implies a snide nature, that it damages how people perceive their culture, and how Native American children perceive themselves.

Many sports fans say that having a Native American mascot is a way of honoring the indigenous

According to the 2010 United States census, there are 5.2 million Native Americans living in the United States today. About twenty-two percent of those Native Americans live on tribal lands. Schools and sports teams around the nation often use Native American symbols and tribe names for their mascot and/or logo. This topic has become controversies as to if this use of Native American themed mascot should be allowed to continue the use of their mascot and logos.

For years Native Americans have been ridiculed, abused, oppressed, and much more. They’re typically the butt of everyone's jokes and have been for some time. Many try to argue that Native American mascots should be looked at as a symbol of respect and that they’re honoring their rich culture, some flat out say it’s senseless humor and that they shouldn’t be offended by it. But what many people fail to realize is that costumes, mascots, imitations, and jokes are all dehumanizing and extremely offensive. Sports teams with Native American mascots contribute heavily to the dehumanizing of Native Americans by associating them with savagery and war.

Why is a school mascot important to students ? Mascots are found in schools, sports and businesses and may date back a very long time. The word Mascot means “ A person, animal, or object believed to bring good luck, especially one kept as the symbol of an organization to illustrate a sports team. A mascot symbolizes courage, strength, speed and leadership. A Mascot is any person, animal, thought to bring luck, or anything used to represent a group with a common public identity such as a school.