The Voice of the Immoral Mascot

1779 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Native american mascots compare and contrast essay

I In recent years there has been a growing controversy around the use and abuse of Indian mascots. This practice, which some claim is a representation of competitive spirit and team identity while others declare discrimination, has sparked passionate debates and intense protests. Multiple schools have voluntarily abandoned their Indian-related names. However, some have not and the dispute remains ever-present. Truly, there should be no compromise. The use of Indians as sports mascots is immoral because it discriminates unfairly against Native Americans. The argument over whether Native American mascots should be used as a team symbol dates back to the 1970’s (Price 2). People differ on the basic subject, but there is a more simplistic underlying issue. It involves listening. Determining whether or not someone is harmed by a practice can reveal if that practice can or should be morally justified. If we are hearing the majority of Native Americans voicing that the use of Indian mascots contributes to the destruction of their culture, then we as a society must listen. But, let me be clear. This is not an issue that is needs to be decided by majority vote. This population, whatever their number, is attempting to relay that use of Native American images as sports mascots dehumanizes them and damages their heritage. Actually hearing what is being said will lead one to conclude that it is wrong to continue such portrayals. As a nation, we often look for certainty in allegations, as if where it falls on the gauge makes a difference in how we shall respond. However, we do not need a study or poll in this instance. There is no evaluation tool that can encompass every Native American or Non-Indian voice. In doing so, we are already sho... ... middle of paper ... ... 2002. Issues and Controversies. Facts On File. College Library, Madison, WI. 2 Apr. 2011.. Price, S.L. “The Indian Wars.” Sports Illustrated 4 Mar. 2002: 1-5. SI.com. 2 Apr. 2011.. Rose, Christine. “Understanding the American Indian Mascot Issue.” Issues and Controversies On File. 2003. Issues and Controversies. Facts on File. College Library, Madison, WI. 1 Apr. 2011. < HYPERLINK "http://www.2facts.com" http://www.2facts.com>. Wieberg, Steve. “NCAA Ponders Future of Indian Nicknames.” USA Today 15 May. 2005. SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source. College Library, Madison, WI. 2 Apr. 2011.< HYPERLINK "http://www.sirs.com"http://www.sirs.com>.

Show More
Related

  • Offensive Language In Sports In The Indian Wars By S. L. Price

    1473 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • American Indian Mascots Pros And Cons

    205 Words  | 1 Pages

    I enjoyed reading your post. I agree with you that offending people should be avoided at all costs. I feel that all words and images regarding American Indians or any race should be banned from being affiliated with any sports teams and mascots. I put this in my original post, but you do not see sports or mascots using any other race. According to Racismagainstindians.org (2002), “interchange the name of any race with the Indians and it immediately becomes clear that we cannot have teams called The Negroes, The Asians, or The Jews”. Today, there are less than 1,000 American Indian mascots used for sports teams (“Anti-Defamation,” 2015).

    Read More

  • Identity In Ayn Rand's Anthem

    1085 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ayn Rand, a contentious woman, the new favorite author to multiple people’s list. People who have read her magnificent book, Anthem, understand how exquisite and meaningful her words are. Books like Anthem are worth reading because it gives the reader more knowledge about controversial topics and it takes the reader to experience new places and new adventures. Equality, the main character, is a symbol. He represents many people today, living in countries like his society. Equality has to find his true identity first before helping the others. People are not allowed to believe in individualism, they should not have a identity of their own. Each person has a monotone routine to follow every single day of their lives. Each step a person takes

    Read More

  • Should The Washington Redskins Change Their Name?

    713 Words  | 2 Pages

    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...

    Read More

  • Native American Names in Sports Are Unacceptable

    938 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...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."

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Jack Shakely's Article 'Indian Mascots You Re Out'

    1107 Words  | 3 Pages

    Privilege is thinking something is not a problem because it’s not a problem to someone personally. It’s difficult to see a situation for what it is when it’s not specifically affecting a person. In the article “Indian mascots — you’re out,” author Jack Shakely discusses that the cultural appropriation of Native American mascots in college and professional sports teams is treated like a minuscule matter, but removing the mascots would be “the right thing to do.” Shakely expounds his first experience of conflict with his background and supporting the Cleveland Indians. The article is an opinion piece from Los Angeles Times, published on August 25, 2011. Although it isn’t recent, it’s indubitably timely. The appropriation of Native American culture

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On The Redskins

    1054 Words  | 3 Pages

    The author Justin Angle says how in a study the mascots and names were shown to people unfamiliar with Native American culture and the sport teams, in the end of the study most of the participants viewed Native American’s as “war like”, which can carry negative consequences in the real world affecting the views of some future employers, creating a view that though Native American’s can be seen as strong and bold they can also have been perceived as violent and irrational. The uses of Redskins also create the belief that it is culturally appropriate for the constant use of Native American culture this has led to thousands of schools and sports teams to have questionable mascots and names. Such as the Savages from Salmon High school and the baseball team the “Indians” whose mascot was a hooked nose red skinned Indian with bucked teeth. Comparing this to the now frowned upon depiction of African American as black red lipped stereotyped popular in the 1920s advertisements does it not show similarities in a cultures becoming a caricature. While one is view as racist the other is view and honorable due to it representing one of the greatest passtimes in America,

    Read More

  • Redskins Pros And Cons

    992 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of the biggest problems Native Americans have with sports teams using names, logos, or anything with Indian affiliation is the negative connotations associated

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Washington Mascots

    726 Words  | 2 Pages

    Friedman: A series of studies show that if Native Americans are shown images of stereotypical Native American mascots ... self-esteem goes down, belief in community goes down, belief in achievement goes down, and mood goes down. And these effects are primarily among Native American

    Read More

  • Washington Redskins Appropriation Of Native American Culture

    918 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the collective effort of the American masses to become increasingly politically correct and sensitive of human rights, there has been much debate regarding the Washington Redskins appropriation of Native American culture in their team name and logo. Other sports teams Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Chiefs also use race and ethnicity derived iconography that some believe also belittles the sordid legacy of the near extermination of American Indians by white colonist-invaders. However, the Redskins seem to garner more attention and controversy in recent times due to the interesting decision of the US Patent and Trademark office to revoke the Redskins’ team name. According to MSNBC reports, “The United States Patent and Trademark Office…cancelled

    Read More

  • What Doesn T Kill The Mascots

    1720 Words  | 4 Pages

    If you ever walk into a football game, you would find yourself surrounded by thousands of fans screaming and cheering for their team. In the case of a Washington Redskins game, people would be wearing Native American attire with their faces painted red. You would also see people protesting and carrying posters telling the Redskins team to eliminate their mascot and change their name. The public disagreement between the Redskins mascot and the Native American population is based on historical events and public opinion. Some argue that the Redskins mascot honors Native American traditions and culture, while embracing the love for football in the Washington area. On the other hand, some disagree and state that the mascot alienates Native Americans

    Read More

  • Mascots Should Not Be Used To Represent Colleges And Universities

    751 Words  | 2 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Documentary 'In Whose Honor'

    955 Words  | 2 Pages

    Cultural appropriation is defined as the “use of one culture’s symbols, artifacts, genres, rituals, or technologies by members of another culture— regardless of intent, ethics, function, or outcome” (Rogers P. 476). When Native American symbols are used as mascots in sport, it is appropriating their culture. Teters explains that her “children have been taught to respect the person who has earned the right to wear an eagle feathered headdress”. In her interview Teters talks about what it was like being raised in Spokane, Washington, nearby a reservation. She was taught to have the highest respect for the eagle feathers, the chief, the dance, and the face paint. All those elements were sacred in Teter’s community, and she raised her children with those same values.

    Read More

  • Discrimination Against Native Americans

    564 Words  | 2 Pages

    The next reason we’ll be looking at are the stereotypical images commonly seen in literature and mascots. Mainstream media such as “Dances with Wolves”, “The Lone Ranger”, and “The Last of The Mohicans” and mascots in professional sports teams like Washington Redskins, Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, and Chicago Blackhawks all include representations of Native Americans that for some, are offensive. With this in mind, ...

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Native American Mascots

    558 Words  | 2 Pages

    For more than 30 years there has been an ongoing debate on whether Native American mascots are offensive. Every High school, College, and National sports team have a mascot. Some people say that Native American Mascots are offensive, degrading, and perpetuates negative stereotypes about Native Americans. While other people say that Native American Mascots honor the Native American People. Nevertheless, the use of Native American mascots is immensely offensive and should be banned.

    Read More

More about The Voice of the Immoral Mascot

Open Document