This week the Hawkeyes football team played the Arkansas State Red Wolves, formerly known as the Indians. In recent years we have witnessed the changing of many College and Universities mascots. Some more recent name and mascot changes have occurred at Arkansas State, North Dakota, and the University of Illinois. Right now in the NFL there is a new group of Native Americans who are bringing a lawsuit against the Washington Redskins, in hopes of getting the team to change the name. Much of the rhetoric in support of these mascots and names is centered around the idea that this is done to honor Native Americans. Is this really the case though? If they are honoring them, in what ways is this happening? Other questions to think about: Are Native Americans a monolithic group? Would we use these sort of names for any other racial or ethnic group? Does this trivialize Native American culture? Is it demeaning for other groups to dress up as Native Americans?
-you may want to take a look at pages 295-296 in your book to help you think about this question further
I think that it is a cop out for people to say that they are honoring Native Americans with their mascots due to the fact that not many people understand much about Native American culture. For example the Cleveland Indians mascot shown above, what culture is being honored and how is it being honored?
ReplyDeleteI had to do a report in high school over this issue. It is interesting what some schools actually do regarding their mascot. Some school with a specific Native American tribe for their mascot, would have days reserved for members of that that tribe to come in and teach students about their history. Having a mascot like this can have some positives, so I am not against letting teams have mascots with native American names. At the professional level they may not teach, but is it really offensive? They aren't doing it to offend people. I think people look too much into this issue
ReplyDeleteI just think that there are so many mascots available there is no need to pick something that might be considered even remotely offensive to any group. I don't think it is a lot asking some sport teams to change to less controversial mascots.
ReplyDeleteIt is probably not the case that any of these mascots are made to intensionally offend a group of people. However, does that really matter? If these are seen as offensive, shouldn't we just get rid of them? Do these mascots and portrayals have anything to do with Native American history
ReplyDeleteI dont really feel having native mascots should be a big deal, but if a tribe or whatever takes it as disrespectfull and askes for it to be changed I think that the team should have to change it, and going along with what Anthony said it should be a big deal there are tons of differnt mascots out there.
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing that video today in class, I do kind of see where Charlene Teters is coming from. When they showed the graphic about the San Diego Caucasions it really took me back. I do not believe any of these sports organizations are doing anything to embarass the natie americans, but in reality, whether good or bad, it is not fair to the native americans to use them as mascots for the sole purpose that they are the only group of people singled out.
ReplyDeleteI agree with James. The San Diego Caucasions thing was a little weird. I don't think I was offended by it, but I can definitely see where Charlene Teters was coming from. Schools and professional teams should get the okay from native Americans before they use their likenesses.
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