Preview

Native American Mascots

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2165 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Native American Mascots
North Dakota is currently in one of the biggest debates over a Native American team mascot.
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is fighting with the University of North Dakota regarding the
Fighting Sioux mascot. The Native American students have been increasing the pressure on the
University to change its name. “We’re seeing more educators around the county, in middle
Schools, high schools and at universities, concerned about the racial climate in schools dropping these symbols” (Johansen, 2004). Since the early 1970’s, about 1,250 of the nation’s
3,000 elementary schools, high schools, and colleges with American Indian nicknames and mascots have dropped them, said Susan Shown Harjo, president of Washington D.C.’s
Morningstar Institute (Johansen, 2001). Are we being disrespectful to the Native American people? Should the Native American people be proud that a school uses an icon as a mascot?
Schools all over the country begin with a story and honoring of the Native Americans at each sporting event. Why have Native Americans asked for an end to Native American mascots? Native
Americans perceive this as a racial issue. The problem has stirred up controversy because Native
Americans maintain that such symbols and mascots are stereotypical and dehumanizing. They also feel it is derogatory to their tribe and people. They feel it reflects a violent caricature of
Native Americans. They have heard several people make fun of the noses on the mascots. They should never use cartoons or violent images of Native Americans. One of the biggest concerns is the physiological impact that this will have on the children. For their part, many Indians feel strongly that these glorified interpretations of their past negate their right to define themselves and have a severe impact on the self-images of their children. “Copycats,” children somehow understand,” appropriate the power of the people they mimic.” These symbols are a

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Sci 275 Bridger Tetons

    • 891 Words
    • 4 Pages

    For me this is an issue that is long standing with my native American Roots, and we are facing…

    • 891 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    All through his article, Shakley has used a great deal of passionate interest. He opens by portraying his experience of the abuse of the mascot at the Cleveland Indians New York Game, where him and his dad partook. Shakley states that he bought a Cleveland's hat at the occasion with the Cheif Wahoo logo on it. He then brings up the time he was ten where he disappointed his mother, "When we returned home back from Oklahoma my mom took one look at the hat with its leering, big nosed, buck-tooth redskin exaggeration and jerked if off my head and tossed it in the trash." (Shakley, 2011, p. 520). His mother who is a Creek Indian woman…

    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    First of all, most Native American logos are meant to honor Indians and their tribes, not offend. Some evidence of this is in the article “The Use of Indian Mascots”, page 2 when it states “Max Osceola, the chief and general council president of the Seminole tribe of Florida, has stated that he regards it as honor to be associated with the university.” This proves that some feel honored by Indian mascots, so sports teams should be allowed to use these logos.…

    • 319 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In the summer of 2005, the NCAA banned the use of mascots that could be considered offensive to American Indians at any of their championship games. In order to understand this, it is important to consider that movies and television programs for years portrayed them as savage warriors that were feared and misunderstood. That is why some schools have chosen to use Indians as their mascot, a role typically played by wild animals or fictional beasts. You would not tolerate derogatory terms for other ethnic groups being used for school mascots. In the NCAA’s new ruling, they ask schools to eliminate mascots that may be hurtful or offensive to America’s Indian…

    • 112 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    “The Redskins”, “The Blackhawks”, “The Cleveland Indians”, and other sport teams/organizations have very offensive derogatory mascots and slurs towards Native Americans. Many Native Americans are very offended by these sports team using their culture in a very racists way. They argue that Native Americans are people not mascots, and they also portray their body features very “savagely”. The redskin, feather in the hair, old wrinkled skin, war paint, etc. all these features are stereotypes and disrespectful.…

    • 136 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The Different Treatment Towards Native American Mascot Case As sports teams, making mascots is important. It can be something that will show their supporters how strong and unbeatable they are. Therefore, they need some imageries that are perfectly matched with their goal and vision. There are Native American imageries that are often used as mascots to show those needs. However, this act emerges many protests from many circles.…

    • 2430 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Notre Dame Research Paper

    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages

    When you hear the words “Fighting Irish”, what comes to mind? Do you imagine a leprechaun fighting to protect his gold or even Conor Mcgregor fighting Floyd Mayweather. What ever comes to mind, the Fighting Irish is the mascot of one of the greatest colleges in the world-Notre Dame. The year was 1842 when the university of Notre Dame was founded on 1,250 acres of land in Indiana by Edward Sorin. Edward Sorin was a very religious man, so when he established Notre Dame he decided to make a catholic school. And ever since the first days of school to now Notre Dame has taken pride in third catholic beliefs. Notre Dame is a well know college because people can remember them for three reasons. First are the strict demands and requirements to be able to get into Notre Dame. Second is because Notre Dame is home to one of the best college football team in the world. Lastly is because of Notre Dame’s beautiful campus.…

    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Indian kids in that tribe will have something to take pride in, which was theirs from the…

    • 558 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Change The Mascot Analysis

    • 1247 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Most of the Native Americans that was in this campaign belong to the Oneida Indian Nation group. This Oneida Indian Nation group had a lot to say about this situation. Ray Halbritter, a representative for the Oneida Indian Nation said “ The use of such an Offensive term has negative consequences for the Native American community when it comes to issues of self-identity and imagery.” (Skinner). With this being said this issue spread to Native Americans everywhere and they would not stay quiet while others would disgrace their family’s…

    • 1247 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    While others say that they use historically inaccurate images of Native Americans and use derogatory words like Redskins which is considered to be slang.Most Natives aren't offended by the logos and are proud that whites help continue the legacy of the Indians.…

    • 248 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Sioux Nation Case Study

    • 760 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The United States v. Sioux Nation of Indians was a case that was decided in the Supreme Court in 1980, but really goes back to the events surrounding the Fort Laramine Treaty of 1868. The events that led up to the Sioux Nation pursuing legal action can pretty much be summarized as the United States government using their military power and governmental law as a means to wrongfully and/or immorally take away land that was promised to the Sioux Nation in the Fort Laramine Treaty of 1868. The treaty stated that the Great Sioux reservation, including the Black hills, would be “set apart for the absolute and undisturbed use and occupation" of the Sioux Nation (Sioux), and that no treaty for the cession of any part of the reservation would be valid…

    • 760 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Through childrearing form Native Americans, Modern American society can learn a lot of things about how to raise children. First one is that Native Americans respect their children as one individual person. Second one is that Native Americans allow their children to get same freedom of behavior as adults. Third one is that Native Americans share adult’s role with their children. Fourth one is that Native Americans permit their children to adapt themselves into the social order, and Native Americans do not usually inflict corporal punishment or oppressive methods on their children not to force conformity. Through those methods, Modern American children…

    • 356 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Sports Logo

    • 868 Words
    • 4 Pages

    “Sports Logos an Insult to Aboriginals” is an essay explaining how professional sports teams use Indian symbols. Aboriginals find it very offensive when sports teams adopt their cultural icons. The writer uses examples such as Cleveland Indians, Washington Redskins and Washington Redskins to portray an image of how these icons have been use. Augustine states that the use of these religious symbols or spiritual leaders as sports logos is offensive. Also, this leads to children to be victims of racism. It can be argued that people feel Aboriginal people should be honoured that these imagery of Indians is being used. Augustine argues back that no honour lies in ridicule and mockery. People are realizing this racism when the Washington Redskins cancelled seven trademarks and there logo because of several complaints from tribes. They are hoping that one day aboriginals will get the respect they deserve.…

    • 868 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Mascots that resemble Native Americans can be seen as racist. They degrade the Native American culture by not representing the true Native American tribes. People from other cultures and beliefs have come to believe that these mascots are representative as to who the Native American tribes are and want to be seen as, which is never true.…

    • 3181 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    I would name the school based on the country their in or by a historical event that has happen in the past that had a good out come on their country. The reason that I have came up with this choice is because it seem like a good I deal to do it that way. More people would rather it be this way then just a random name with a thought about it. I would name the mascot after the main person that was in charge of the historical event that happen and make the mascot after that person. The reason for this choice is because it wouldn't be right to just have the school name represent the historical event with out a mascot there isn't a good reason to have the name just represent the event.…

    • 509 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays