In recent discussions of sports teams with Native American names and mascots, a controversial issue with whether sports teams should or should not be allowed to use Indian mascots and names appeared. On one hand, some argue that sports teams should not be allowed to use them. From this perspective, Native American names and logos are derogatory and not celebratory. On the other hand, however, others argue that sports teams should be allowed to use Indian names and mascots. My own view is that sports teams should not use them. Though I concede that many fans of sports teams like and want to keep Indian names and mascots , I still maintain that they should not be used. Although some might claim that sports teams are honoring …show more content…
Displaying these Indian names and mascots are offensive and racist. Sports teams should ban the use of them. Sports teams that have Indian names or mascots are offensive to Native culture and their race. Philip Yenyo, executive director of the American Indian Movement of Ohio, claims, “...a red-face, smiling savage does great harm to us and our culture and has done so for many years” (McGraw). The mascot for the Cleveland Indians is disrespectful to Native Americans and has been insulting to their race for years. The mascot portrays a stereotypical version of how American Indians might act or how they might look, which is clearly racist and offensive. The leader of the Oneida Indian Nation and CEO of the Oneida Nation Enterprises, Ray Halbritter, also adds that Indian names used by sports teams, such as “redskins”, is not acceptable. Halbritter asserts, “the word was born out of hatred and -- referred to the long, ugly history between the native people of the Americas and the colonizers from Europe who followed Columbus” (Martinez). The term “redskins” has never had a positive effect on Native Americans since …show more content…
It is insulting that individuals that did not go through the struggle are using the word for celebration and are benefiting from it. Native American tradition and heritage are being exploited by sports teams and their supporters. Ruth Hopkins, an author from The Guardian, states, “..adopt Native identity to appear more exotic, or for some other perceived benefit, yet lack a genuine claim to Native heritage, their actions are little more than an extension of manifest destiny…” People are declaring that they have Native American blood in them without a real reason to pretend to seem more interesting. These people are taking Native American heritage and adopting it when they have no right to do that. They are taking advantage of Native American heritage. This is racial identity theft. Ruth Hopkins also says, “Others claim Native heritage so they can speak for us.” Native Americans rarely get to speak for themselves and always has a person speaking for them that does not come from Native descent. They are stealing the racial identity of an American Indian to benefit from
Team mascots that depict a certain type of group is wrong and should be changed. It is degrading and hurtful to far too many people to keep them from staying the same. Native Americans or any other race or ethnicity should not be stereotyped in a way that degrades them in any way. All teams that have mascots that are named after a certain race or ethnicity should be changed.
Fighting the use of the word ‘redskins’” by Brian Cladoosby says how “[s]tudies show the use of American Indian-based names, mascots and logos in sports has a negative psychological effect on Native peoples” Cladoosby places a link to Dr. Michael A. Friedman research report which backs his case. In his study Dr. Friedman, a clinical psychologist says how Redskins is “uniquely destructive” because it “perpetuates the stereotypical and outdated caricature” and “promotes and justifies the use of a dictionary-defined racial slur, thus increasing risk for discriminatory”. With the rate of Native American suicide one of the highest in the nation the addition of their culture and history being stereotyped young Natives are facing discrimination and then being told that it’s okay because it’s for a sport. Cladoosby adds how that it creates a challenge to Natives who want to “maintain a foundation in their culture and language” meaning that ignoring a name that was once used when hunting their ancestors means that they are ignoring their culture. The name is not just racist and derogatory but promotes the an old-fashioned and stereotypical view of Native
In the past few years, the controversy over Native American and other racial sport names or mascots have become an uproar. The main sport teams that are being targeted due to controversial mascots are programs having names dealing with Native Americans. Many teams are well known programs such as the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, and the Washington Redskins. The Redskins are receiving the most heat from racial groups. According to Erik Brady of USA Today “The volatility surrounding such names has amped up in the year since Daniel Snyder, owner of Washington's NFL club, told USA TODAY Sports that he'd never change his team's name: ‘NEVER — you can use caps.’” (3). However, professional teams are not the only teams receiving negative remarks,
In a generation focused on social justice and the elimination of prejudice from our society, there is still a use of offensive language and terminology in the area of professional sports. In “The Indian Wars” by S. L. Price, Price attempts to make the reader aware of sports teams that use derogatory terms as their team name and their mascot. He does this by highlighting football, and trying to determine whether Native-Americans are offended by team names in sports, or more specifically, the Redskins. Price’s essay is ineffective because although he raises good points, he doesn’t help the reader to form an opinion by adding historical context to the derogatory names used. He also uses inaccurate poll results to make assumptions about the feelings
The debate is divided into two sides. Those opposed to the use of Redskins and all Native American names in sports, and perceive the use of such terms and imagery as racist and derogatory towards Native Americans and those for keeping the name who cite the history of the team, its links to Native American players and coaches who were part of the team when it was create...
...ers' evolution from mother and student into a leading voice against the merchandising of Native American sacred symbols -- and shows the lengths to which fans will go to preserve their mascots." In keeping all the Native American Mascots in schools, colleges, and professional sports teams we are showing a lack of respect. The Native Americans have voiced the lack of honor these names are bringing to them. "The fact that history has ignored the incredible pain we have inflicted on Native Americans does not now give us the right to ignore their largely muted call." Americans need to take a step back think about how they would feel if there ritual and or sacred tradition was misused. "We feel that we are being put in a position of sacrificing our dignity and pride and will never be treated as equals in white society as long as the use of Indian symbols continues."
In regards to the use of Indian mascots by elementary, middle and high school sports teams, I feel that children should be exposed to realistic and positive portrayals of American Indians during their educational years rather than something that can be taken as bigoted. It is the responsibility of educators to set the example and teach the youth of today to respect other ethnic or minority peoples - NOT to exploit or disrespect them by using them as 'mascots' or stereotypical 'images' which perpetuates racism.
Logos in professional sports like the Cleveland Indians with the added features to the logo has caused a lot of conflict in the past and today. Most schools or franchises that have Native American mascots have tribal people who will stand up for the name and say that you can have them as long as they are not doing anything that people would find offensive to the culture of the Native Americans. A college in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, Central Michigan University, has a native tribe name for their mascot, the Chippewas. However, the school does not have an offensive logo, doesn’t have anyone dressed up at sporting events, or for activities around campus.
The idea of having a Native American as a mascot seems respectful to the tribe and a way to honor the people who arrived to this country first. Many people find it racist and derogatory to call teams by these names, while
There is considerable controversy that dates back to the 1960’s over sports teams’ names that reference Native American heritage. “The National Congress of American Indiana’s (NCIA) created a campaign in 1968 to eliminate stereotypes found in print and other media.” (ChangeTheMascot.org). The American Indian community has worked for many years to abolish the right to use Native American Names, spiritual and cultural symbols by professional sports teams (Teters) that they feel offensive. The Washington Redskins football team continues to battle a long standing controversy to change their name. Native Americans, politicians, fans of American football, as well as the general public all seem to have opposing viewpoints regarding if this team should be forced to change their name out of respect to those offended.
The stereotype of Native Americans has been concocted by long history. As any stereotype constructed by physical appearance, the early Europeans settlers were no different and utilized this method. Strangers to the New World, they realized the land was not uninhabited. The Native Americans were a strange people that didn't dress like them, didn't speak like them, and didn't believe like them. So they scribed what they observed. They observed a primitive people with an unorthodox religion and way of life. These observations made the transatlantic waves. Not knowingly, the early settlers had transmitted the earliest cases of stereotyped Native Americans to the masses. This perpetuated t...
Many races are unjustly victimized, but Native American cultures are more misunderstood and degraded than any other race. College and high school mascots sometimes depict images of Native Americans and have names loosely based on Native American descent, but these are often not based on actual Native American history, so instead of honoring Native Americans, they are being ridiculed. According to the article Warriors Survive Attack, by Cathy Murillo (2009) some “members of the Carpentaria community defended Native American mascot icons as honoring Chumash tradition and the spirit of American Indian Warriors in U.S. history and others claimed that the images were racist stereotypes” (Murillo, 2009). If people do not attempt to understand and respect Native American culture, then Native American stereotypes will become irreparable, discrimination will remain unresolved, and ethnocentrism will not be reprimanded.
This is because photographers and writers make Indians resemble the Indian stereotype. A photographer in the 1900’s Edward Sheriff Curtis would take a box of paraphernalia to his photo shoots, like wigs, clothes, and backdrops in case he ran into an Indian who did not look the part Curtis would pay these Indians to change their hair or their outfit until they looked like an “Indian”(King, 34). I do not understand why Curtis would continue taking pictures of Indians in these stereotypical outfits, when he knew that they did not look that way; however Curtis was not the only one who created this stereotype. Karl May a writer, wrote a book on Indians, creating all these stereotypes, when in real life May had never even met an Indian. This seems strange that May would write a book validating this stereotype, when he himself had not even met an Indian in person. These stereotypes that were created by people like Curtis and May are unacceptable and as a student, I can help people understand the
In our current generation, the year 2016, one may think racism would be diminished but it has yet to be acknowledged. Most people would have thought discrimination ended with the time of slavery, but it continues to exist in indirect ways. When people think Native Americans, they think about how they were the true Americans and how they aided Columbus’s settlement into the Early Americas. Native Americans experience discrimination to this day, yet nothing has been said about the Indian’s existence and rights. In Kimberly Roppolo’s essay, “Symbolism, Racism, History, and Reality: The Real Problem with Indian Mascots,” constructs the reason and gives us an idea on why this type of racism still exists and why people continue to unknowingly discriminate
Contrary to popular belief, discrimination of Native Americans in America still widely exist in the 21st century! So you may ask, why? Well, to answer that one question, I will give you 3 of the countless reasons why this unfortunate group of people are punished so harshly for little good reason. So now, let’s get into it, shall we!