Native American Mascot Controversy

Redskin, most controversy on their mascot

                                         

Chippewas, supported by the actual Chippewas tribe.

                                   

Florida State University, The  Seminoles 

                                       

Cleveland Indians, a baseball team

                                                 

A Baseball team with an Indian mascot

                                         

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Should Native American mascots be banned? Debate.org

This source was helpful because it shows both why Native American mascots should be banned and why they should not be banned.

MIT Society Pages

The society page was helpful because it gave me a lot of background history and information of mascots and Native American mascots.

ESPN Interview

This source was the most helpful because it gave me a firsthand look and opinion from a guy who represents a tribe and their view point.  

CNN article Pride or prejudice

This article was helpful because like the ESPN interview, I got the opinion from an actual Native American.

Native American Mascot: tribute or stereotype

This website offers an interesting view point on the debate.

ESPN Native Americans speaks on sport imagery

     
Post on Native Americans view from an event at the National Museum of the American Indian which held a day long conference on the use of Native American imagery in sports.

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USH

                                                Native American Mascots

            The question of whether or not Native American mascots are honoring or dishonoring Native Americans has come up quiet frequently, even though there are many different opinions I believe that Native American mascots are not degrading towards Native Americans because it honors them, and reminds us of our history. With this being said however I do believe that the football team name, the Redskins is derogatory and should in fact be changed.

            Native American mascots are not degrading Native Americans because it honors them, the word mascot is derived from the French word “mascotte” and Portuguese word “masco” meaning that it is a person or object that brings good luck to a particular person, household, and later to a team.  Having a Native American as a mascot should be taken as an honor and privilege to them because it exemplifies what that particular team wants and aims to be like. Teams choose mascots of things they respect and things they want their program to embrace, and having a Native American as a mascot means the school wants to embrace bravery, respect, courageousness, wisdom, and perseverance. In an Interview between Paul Lukas (works for ESPN) and Frank Cloutier (represents the Chippewas tribe), Paul asks what is Frank and his tribes position on Native American imagery, Frank answers, “…Our position is that if it’s not derogatory and it’s being used appropriately with an opportunity to share or cross-share our culture, then it’s fine. There’s nothing derogatory about “Warriors” or “Braves.” There’s nothing derogatory about “Indian” but terms like “Redskin” or “Half-Breed” those are derogatory terms to us.” This information shows that, besides the term “Redskin,” Native American imagery (including mascots) are not degrading to Native Americans but that they are honoring them. 

            Another example of why Native American Mascots are not degrading to Native Americans is because it reminds us of our history. Having Native American mascots is one of the ways we again honor Native Americans and how we honor and show are respect towards them and educate America. For example in the same interview between Paul Lukas and Frank Cloutier, Paul asks, “So when you say it’s fine to use non-derogatory imagery as long as it’s being used appropriately, you’re saying that part of that “appropriate use” is educational content about Native Americans.” Frank answers this by saying, “yes. For example, in 2003 we entered into an articulation agreement with Central Michigan University because they were the Chippewas. As part of that agreement, the tribe and the university each has an obligation. Every year I go in and address every freshman athletic student about our culture and what it means to be a Chippewas, and abut the proud, competitive nature of our people. We explain that it’s not about war paint and fake feathers. It’s about honoring the triumph of these resilient, competitive people.” Even though this is a long quote I felt it was necessary because it shows a first hand opinion on the issue, and that without Native American Mascot, it’s a missed opportunity for the type of cultural exchange and education.

            Native American mascots are not derogatory to Native Americans because if used appropriately it is honoring and used to bring good luck to them team and exemplifies what that team wants to embrace. Also it reminds us of our history, bring cultural exchange, and is a great opportunity to educate our society.