Native American Sports Mascots
Every sports team has a team mascot. The mascot has been around for ages, bringing school spirit and power to a team. So, obviously when a mascot is chosen, it must have certain qualities. Some of these qualities include power, aggressiveness, strength and quickness. As team mascots go, the Native Americans are the only ethnic group ever chosen as a mascot. These mascots are usually based on inaccurate descriptions or qualities of Native Americans. I have chosen some articles on this issue of offensive team mascots towards Native Americans. Every article I have read talks about how Native Americans are depicted with stereotypes. These stereotypes are inaccurate historically and presently. Many of the team names at first, may sound harmless. Teams such as "Chiefs," "Warriors," "Indians," and sometimes tribal names such as the "Seminoles." As you think of ethnic slurs, "Indian" and even "chief" comes to mind for the Native Americans. Many times, just the team n
So some tribes agree and allow team's to use their name. For example, the Florida State Seminoles was allowed to keep it's name by the Seminole tribe. I don't remember ever being taught in high school that the Native American's didn't do many of the things that we have pictured them doing. Historically, Native Americans have been proved to be a peaceful and kind people. " He states that these cultural symbols "are not to be taken lightly and degraded by someone dressing up to "play Indian" on the sidelines of some stadium. " These articles have shown that not only are team names offensive but the images and skits played out by mascots can be far more racist. I would imagine that most team fans in the crowd, wearing war paint or feather headdresses don't know the significance either. " I can say that I did not know that war paint or feathers had so much significance. These qualities may be great for a team's morale, but are reinforcing harmful stereotypes to the Native Americans. ame is offensive with names like "Savages," or "Redskins. One of the most racist or offensive part of team mascots to the Native Americans, is the way they are depicted. In many tribes, feathers have to be earned to be worn. Yet these mascots parade around showing a completely inaccurate view of the Native Americans, which effects even education. " Springwood has co-edited a book about this titled "Team Spirits. Some tribes don't like the mascots and some allow it.
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