Is it Offensive For Sports to Use Native American Names and Mascots? Do you think that its offensive to use Native American names and mascots? It is not offensive for sports to use Native American mascots and names because the name could show where they are from and the names that theses teams have that are “offensive” are actually very popular names. First off the mascot that they choose to represent there team might show where they are from.
Is using Native Americans as mascots for sports teams offensive? It does not matter if it is a high school or a college, sometimes even the NFL. Examples of sports teams that use Native Americans images are Washington Redskins, Florida State Seminoles, and a high school Cherokee Braves. It is not offending and there should not be any problem because it is not making fun of anybody. Using Native American images and names in professional, collegiate, and high schools sport teams does not reinforce and perpetuate stereotypes because it symbolizes their culture, shows that they are ready to play, and appreciates their coexistence.
Many things done nowadays are considered racist. There are things certain people can do that others cannot. There are some names that some people can call other people that others may find offensive. The Washington Redskins, an NFL football team, are being sued because someone in the Modoc tribe is speaking up about how the name “Redskins” is offensive to the Modoc culture. There is a debate about whether the team name should be changed or not.
Should Sports Teams Stop Using Native Americans as a Mascot? For decades, sports teams have used Native Americans as mascots. Professional sports teams like the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Redskins seem to be the most controversial when it comes to this topic. However, many Native Americans, myself included, find the use of our people as mascots offensive.
People are starting to wonder if using these kinds of names are appropriate or offensive to the tribe the team is named after. The debate raises this question: should Indian names and mascots be allowed in sports? In the article “Indian Mascots—You’re Out” by Jack Shakely (2011), the author tries to convince his audience that the use of
The Effect of Racist Mascots and Sports Teams on Native Americans Native Americans have had to deal with stereotypes, racism, and discrimination for hundreds of years and while many like to believe that racism over, it is still present in day to day life for many Native Americans. Using Native Americans as mascots or team names is harmful to Native American culture and representation as it normalizes racism and stereotypes towards Native Americans. The use of mascots and team names that reference Native Americans has helped to perpetuate negative stereotypes against Native Americans by appropriating their culture, and disregarding their opinions and views in favor of the dominant culture. The use of team names and mascots that refer to Native
Native American Mascot Controversy In a recent study conducted by the sociology professor at California State University, James Fenelon, it was found that out of 786 Native Americans 67% agreed that the term ‘Redskins’, used in sports team’s names, is offensive. Redskin’s and any other Native American term, slang or imagery is offensive and should not be used because these things are sacred to Native American culture, and most of the mascots and the terms used are stereotypical, degrading, and dehumanizing. Many of the mascots used today and in the past related to Native American culture, and though the name may not be meant for the intent to harm or disrespect, they still do cause this.
School systems that show negative images of American Indians give of a negative impact on the self esteem of the American Indian students. This also disrespects the spiritual beliefs and values of the American Indian people. In the State of Oregon they announced that their public schools are not allowed to use Native Americans as mascots or sports teams names like “Indians”, “Chiefs”, “Braves”, and “Redskins” but not “Warriors because it’s imagery did not specifically mean Native Americans. The schools were expected to change the names
Reynolds constructs an interesting correlation of government intervention regarding culture in this matter to the same government intervention that Native Americans had to deal with for much of their history in the United States (659). In this particular portion of her article, she makes the argument that this is the exact same issue that Native Americans have fought against for so long, the government’s right to act and regulate issues of culture (659). Reynolds states, “More government is not the answer to a community concern” (659). Her argument clarifies that this a local issue and thus should be decided locally and not handled by the federal or state governments (659). She is worried that a negative message may be sent to students if schools do change their mascots.
These are all teams that have stereotypes. If a team name, mascot, or insignia is offensive, then just change it; it is just a sports team. Even if a team changes it, it is not like every jock, or sports fan is not going to know theyour new name, mascot, or insignia. Using Native American images and names in professional, collegiate, and high school sports teams do reinforce and perpetuate stereotypes because the mascots and team names give stereotypical features. These stereotypes are mainly coming from mascots.
Is it offencive for sport teams to use Native American names and mascots? Is it really that bad to have a Native American name for a sports teams? Do you think that it is racist? Having a team with a Native American name is not a bad thing. If you have a teams named after specific Nationality group, like the Indians, then that would be splendid because the Indians were feared people, it’s an honor for the Indians, and it would help the Americans remember the Native Americans.
For the past few decades there has been a debate raging in American sports culture about the use of Native American names in sports. Teams like the Washington Redskins and several other professional and college teams have been criticized for using Native American names as mascots and team names. Some people criticize the names and say that it’s offensive and demeaning and should be changed. Others say that the names honor Native American heritage have been a team tradition for many years and should not be changed. Sports teams should not use Native American names as trademarks or mascots because they promote negative stereotypes of Native Americans in society.
Over the past few years, the controversy over sports names or mascots has increasingly become an uproar. The main sports teams being targeted due to controversial mascots are programs having names that deal with Native Americans. Well known programs, such as, the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, and the Washington Redskins are just a few of the many teams being targeted due to controversial team names and/or mascots. Currently, the Redskins are receiving the most heat from racial groups. However, professional sport teams are not the only teams receiving negative remarks; there are well known colleges that are also receiving huge blows for racial symbols.
There are many factors that effect Native Americans such as treaty rights, health, education, and economic issues, a number of studies done by various government agencies, including the Department of Justice, have shown extremely troubling rates of violent crime inflicted on American Indian peoples, most by non-Natives, as well as a suicide incidence among American Indian children and young adults that is several times that of other ethnic groups or the general population. However, Native Americans representation through mascots and logos is an issue that effects the Native people in a more personal way. Native Americans sport team logos, mascots and nicknames are representing Native Americans in a disrespectful way which is effecting the way we perceive
There has always been a romanticized idea of Native Americans, Americans identify Indians as feather wearing, horse riding, buffalo chasing, and spiritual dancing individuals. The truth about who they really are is lost in fiction and westerns, therefore it comes as no surprise