Mascots Should Not Be Used To Represent Colleges And Universities

The use of historical figures or groups as mascots, such as Indians, have caused some controversy over whether these mascots should be utilized to represent different colleges and universities in America. Carron Phillips in his article “It’s time for colleges to dump Old South nicknames and mascots” and Barbara Munson in her article “Common Themes and Questions About the use of ‘Indian’ Logos” both believe that historical nicknames and mascots should not be utilized to represent different colleges and universities in America. The use of historical figures and groups as mascots should not be used to represent colleges and universities because they can be viewed as racist, they do not honor that historical figure or group in any way, and they

do absolutely nothing to preserve that group's culture and history.
Certain historical figures and groups as mascots in colleges and universities can be viewed as racist, especially by descendants of those historical groups of people, such as Indians.

Philips claims “It’s very reminiscent to Southern natives and residents who are still in denial about the racist use of the Confederate Flag.” Similarly, Munson claims an Indian Warrior causes the same exact outrage as an ugly caricature because “both depictions present and maintain stereotypes. Both firmly place Indian people in the past, separate from our contemporary cultural experience” (Munson). These Native mascots are stereotyping these groups of people in negative ways because it is separating these groups from today's cultural experience. It is leaving these groups of people in the past while in the meantime we are all moving forward with the times. This is causing outrage because these groups of people are feeling separated and isolated from

society.
Similarly to how it can be seen as racist, it also, does not honor the historical figure or group in any shape or form what so ever. Munson claims in her article that “Native people are saying that they don’t feel honored by this symbolism. We experience it as no less than a mockery of our cultures” (Munson). Native people should not feel mocked. They deserve to feel honored because their culture plays a huge role in what America is today. Philips claims “imagery can evoke memories. And memories can evoke pain” (Philips). These images of historical members as mascots can cause certain groups of people that relate to these mascots to have memories which can cause emotional pain. Being honored should not cause emotional pain. It should make the person feel joy and happy to be honored in a big way in today's society. This is exactly why different colleges and universities in America should not be using these Native kinds of mascots and images.
Using different historical figures and groups as mascots does absolutely nothing to preserve their history.

They are not preserving culture, whereas, they are simply passing it on. Munson writes “Our ancestors did this work for us, and we continue to carry the culture for the generations to come. Our cultures are living cultures – they are passed on, not “preserved” (Munson). There is no way to preserve culture. We simply only pass the culture on to the next generation so they can pass it on as well. Philips wrote a quote from someone who claims has an easy way to fix this controversy which states “’ Let’s put it somewhere where historically it fits with the area around it so you can have people come see it, who want to understand that history and that individual’” (Philips). If this mascot is placed in an area where it relates, people may feel happier that others are learning about their culture in the place where it all started. It may cause less of an outrage and make these groups of people feel less offended and

mocked.
Native mascots should not be utilized in different colleges and universities in America because they can be seen as racist, they do not honor that historical figure or group in any way, and they do absolutely nothing to preserve that group's culture and history. We should not be mocking history. We should be honoring history. How would it make you feel to have your culture or history as a mascot in a college or university and not honored in a more special way? There are other ways to honor history and mascots should not be one of them. Try a museum or a statue or even a history class for those that want to learn more about the history and different cultures.