Understanding the American Indian Mascot Issue

[walksalone11]

"What’s Wrong With Indian Mascots, Anyway?

All across the country, names and images of Native Americans are being removed from sports teams. At first, most people experience the initial reaction of, "Oh no, not another group crying for political correctness."

While we are all tired of being told how to think, it is also important to note the reasons for these changes. Once understood, it becomes very clear that it is only a wonder it took this long to change them. Many State School Boards (see CCR and State Board Resolutions on panel at left) have taken a strong stand against the mascot and team names. We are providing for you here the most obvious reasons why these team names should be changed, and we ask that you maintain an open heart when reading through them. We understand that in many cases, people have strong emotional attachments to these names but it is equally important to understand why historically these names were chosen, and why now, they must be changed.

   1. If we must show respect to all other groups, why should we be permitted to dismiss political correctness when it applies to Native people? Why are Native people the only race of people that are permitted to be used as mascots? Interchange the name of any race with the Indians and it immediately becomes clear that we can not have teams called The Negroes, The Asians or The Jews.
   2. It is interesting to note that most mascot names were chosen, and ceremonies using the feathers, drums, and clothing were developed, from the 1920s to the 1950s. During this period of time and up until 1978 it was illegal for Native people to practice their religion. Native people could be, and often were, imprisoned for using these same items in ceremonies. Ironically, while nonnative people were using sacred objects in mimicking the Indians at sports events, Native people had to stand by and watch their culture mocked while they themselves could not participate in the same activities in a religious way. This was not an honor then, and it is not an honor today. Do we not respect the religious rights of the original people in this land because we don't understand their religions? Our lack of understanding does not minimize its importance to Native people. By using objects considered sacred by Native people for sports events, in this land based on religious freedom we continue to deny Native people respect for their religion.......READ MORE @...."

http://www.racismagainstindians.org/UnderstandingMascots.htm

[mlbevins]

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