Removing Indian Mascots from Sports Teams

828 Words2 Pages

“In the 21st century America, to name a sports team after an African American, Asian or any other ethnic group is unthinkable, so why are Native Americans still fair game”? (Shakely 522) Jack Shakely, former chair of the los Angeles City/county Native American Commission as well as president emeritus of the California community Foundation, effectively argues that removing Native American names and mascots from college and professional teams is the right thing to do. Indian mascots for sports teams are offensive to many Native Americans because they are portrayed as savage cut-throats or act like fools. Jack Shakely argues his point in the article, “Indian Mascots- You’re Out!” by explaining his experience with Indians portrayed as mascots and how dignity and respect are not subject to majority rule. A fourth-generation Oklahoman of Creek descent, he is the author of “The Confederate War Bonnet”, a historical novel of the Civil War in Indian Territory. Shakely is mixed-blood Muscogee/Creek and his family has fought against Indian stereotypes. Being a known author, a leader of these important organizations, Native American, and personally dealing with his family fighting against Indian stereotypes makes Shakely creditable to argue his point effectively. I also believe that Indian names and mascot should be removed, because I would be offended if a sports team was named after African Americans and an African American mascot was dancing around like a fool. Some Native Americans believe that people are getting the wrong impression about them. Only %16 of Native Americans find Indian names and mascots offensive but Shakely states, “If 16% of a population finds something offensive, that should be enough to signal deep concern. There are... ... middle of paper ... ...ive insult to Native American. Being former chair of the los Angeles City/county Native American Commission as well as president emeritus of the California community Foundation makes Shakely highly qualified in his argument because he is a Native American and he is highly respected in his organizations and in his community. Shakely clearly presents an affective argument from his point of view by providing personal experiences along with examples of sports teams’ Indian names and mascots and how they affect Native Americans. Sports team should remove the stereotypes of Native Americans. All Indian mascots and names should be removed from all sports teams. It’s the right thing to do. Works Cited Shakely, Jack. “Indian Mascots-You’re Out!” Everything’s an Argument, Ed. Andrea A. Lunsford, John J. Ruszkiewicz, Keith Walters. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2013. pg520

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