tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post5911955776174297228..comments2023-11-02T09:53:09.569-04:00Comments on Groves U.S. History Blog: Blog #3A - Indian Mascots - Right or Wrong?Geoff Wickershamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07430848929082686290noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-81127853400937295872022-04-06T23:13:16.520-04:002022-04-06T23:13:16.520-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.faithefabricanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13585717812072085430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-24533350150068200732008-02-04T09:15:00.000-05:002008-02-04T09:15:00.000-05:00I have mixed feelings about whether or not profess...I have mixed feelings about whether or not professional, college or high school teams should be allowed to use Native Americans as their mascots. I think it’s unacceptable when they depict the Native Americans as being savage and goofy, because that directly correlates to people who are ill-informed into assuming that’s how all Native Americans if any are. Another thing to think about is that all the other mascots are, you notice most mascots, with the few exceptions, are animals, so does this mean we are degrading the Native American race to the standards of an animal? If the tables were to be turned and there was a team called the Texas Mexicans there would be a tremendous amount of controversy involved and it would be deemed completely out of line. It’s also wrong when you think about how the Native Americans were treated and are still being treated in regards to land and power in the government. Our country has all ready caused so much mental and physical pain to the Native Americans that cannot be taken back or made up for. Part of me also doesn’t think it’s all that disrespectful in some cases. I think it depends on how the sports team is portraying the Native Americans. The only other teams mascots I can think of offhand that aren’t animals are the Spartans and the Cowboys. The Spartans are a mascot because they choose to represent strength and determination, so if the Native American mascots are mascots for the same reason is it really all that bad?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-49267608201067571362008-02-04T08:23:00.000-05:002008-02-04T08:23:00.000-05:00I have mixed feelings about whether or not profess...I have mixed feelings about whether or not professional, college or high school teams should be allowed to use Native Americans as their mascots. I think it’s unacceptable when they depict the Native Americans as being savage and goofy, because that directly correlates to people who are ill-informed into assuming that’s how all Native Americans if any are. Another thing to think about is that all the other mascots are, you notice most mascots, with the few exceptions, are animals, so does this mean we are degrading the Native American race to the standards of an animal? If the tables were to be turned and there was a team called the Texas Mexicans there would be a tremendous amount of controversy involved and it would be deemed completely out of line. It’s also wrong when you think about how the Native Americans were treated and are still being treated in regards to land and power in the government. Our country has all ready caused so much mental and physical pain to the Native Americans that cannot be taken back or made up for. Part of me also doesn’t think it’s all that disrespectful in some cases. I think it depends on how the sports team is portraying the Native Americans. The only other teams mascots I can think of offhand that aren’t animals are the Spartans and the Cowboys. The Spartans are a mascot because they choose to represent strength and determination, so if the Native American mascots are mascots for the same reason is it really all that bad?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-29967500998753805612008-02-03T22:36:00.000-05:002008-02-03T22:36:00.000-05:00I think that high school, college, or even profess...I think that high school, college, or even professional athletic teams that have Indian mascots is wrong and disrespectful. It degrades the Native Americans and their culture. It presents the Native Americans as a cartoon, and not as real people with hundreds of years with real culture. What if athletic teams around the world used other ethnic groups as their mascots or team names instead? That would turn the tables around and show the lack of respect for those ethnic groups as well. Then everybody would realize how disrespectful us naming our teams after them is to the Native Americans. I believe part of the problem is that some people don’t realize that this does disregard the Native Americans and their culture. Something must be done; although some Native Americans don’t mind that our teams are named after them, it does matter to most. I know that I would feel insulted if there was a team named after my ethnicity. I would feel that they were making fun of or mocking my culture.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-14393427379036049702008-01-18T00:02:00.000-05:002008-01-18T00:02:00.000-05:00I believe that high schools, colleges, or even pro...I believe that high schools, colleges, or even professional teams should not be able to use or have Indian mascot. The reason for this decision is because many teams just have them to have them. They don’t even know what is behind the name. I could see if they respected or acknowledged the meaning or significance of the name. For example the Cleveland Indians or the Washington Redskins, there are so many events or issues behind the gist of those very touchy names. Also think of how the Indians in these schools or who would like to be fans of professional teams but won’t allow themselves because of the respect they have for their heritage. These people have to limit what they want to do, and everybody knows that is not fun. So this is the reason why I believe the branding of Indian team names should be banned, for the sake of the people of that heritage. <BR/><BR/>JASMINE SMITH <BR/>4TH HOURAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-45008814292990466372008-01-16T12:56:00.000-05:002008-01-16T12:56:00.000-05:00I think college, and professional teams should be ...I think college, and professional teams should be able to have Indian mascots, but not high school teams. There are plenty of nicknames out there for high schools to choose, so I think they can stay away from Indian mascot names. College and professional teams should be able to have Indian mascot names, as long as they meet certain requirements. In some cases some natives are ok with pro teams using Indian names, like the Cleveland Indians whose nickname was to honor a former Native American player, Louis Sockalexis who played in Cleveland from 1897-99. Most pro teams use Native American mascots to honor, and pay homage to Native American people. The Washington Redskins believe that their team name, symbolizes courage, dignity, and leadership”, and that the “Redskins” symbolize the greatness and strength of a grand people. Also lastly one more reason why college and pro teams should be able to keep their native names, are simply because it just sticks with people around sports, and it would be weird to change it, especially for the fans of the teams. Like the Florida State Seminoles who have great athletic tradition, most notably in Football and baseball, have a tradition before games, where Chief Osceola runs to the 50yard line on his horse, and spikes the flaming spear in the logo which gets the crowd going.<BR/>Drew R.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-43907994827416433152008-01-10T12:19:00.000-05:002008-01-10T12:19:00.000-05:00I think that sports teams should not be allowed to...I think that sports teams should not be allowed to use Indians as their mascots because it can be offensive to them. Some of the Indian tribes may be okay with Indian mascots, but others may not be okay with it. Some may find it disgraceful towards their culture. Also, if situations were reversed and other ethnic groups were used, it should not be acceptable because other ethnic group may find it upsetting. To force a professional team to change their mascot, you would probably have to have people sign a petition to why they should change the teams’ mascot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-45094342543026915192008-01-10T00:21:00.000-05:002008-01-10T00:21:00.000-05:00I truely think that high school, college, and prof...I truely think that high school, college, and professional sports organizations should be allowed to use the logos of NA. The reason for my answer is based mainly on that the fact is the teams with the indian mascots dont mean to offend Native Americans in my oppinion they have the logo to show that their team fights with passion like the Native Americans did. if anything to me Native americans shoudnt be mad about the logos they should feel honored that teams are using NA logos to represent the fighting spirit of the Native Americans.<BR/><BR/>Divon Shammami, 2nd hourAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-3788975050874117842008-01-09T21:41:00.000-05:002008-01-09T21:41:00.000-05:00I think that schools using Indian names for mascot...I think that schools using Indian names for mascots could be viewed in several different ways. Many people think of it as discrimination. I don’t think they should be used for the sake of sounding like you are making fun of them. It is not good to judge people and it could be taken the wrong way. However, the positive side of it would be that they are proud of the Indians and only supporting them by using their name. They could mean that they are warriors, so they fight for themselves and win against other teams because they are strong. Also, I don’t necessarily agree that they should not be allowed to use them at all but I do think it should only be out of respect and not as a racist joke of some kind. I think in a way it can resemble the Indian strength and it is a remembrance of how determined they were. Using Indian names for mascots is only a good idea when it helps to identify them and make you think of their way of life and how they looked to other people. The negative side of this is ugly and very disrespectful towards Native Americans and is offensive if used for those reasons. Mascots should be reflecting an appropriate opinion on that team and should never be from stereotypes. If they are given to symbolize the Native Americans then we should support that.<BR/>Leah NagelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-17227291135013500602008-01-07T21:45:00.000-05:002008-01-07T21:45:00.000-05:00I think that College and even High School sports t...I think that College and even High School sports teams should be able to have Indian tribes as their mascots. I think that it would be a compliment to have a sports team as your mascot. It is showing appreciation to the Indians. I would think that having a famous Sports team named after your tribe would be a sign of being important. But the only way that I think that it would be fair to have the sports teams named after you tribe would be if you got your mascot named Okayed by the tribe itself. If you don’t get the named okayed by its tribe then they could take it as an insult or a compliment. <BR/>Carleigh BechtoltAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-58158260546022167852008-01-07T16:38:00.000-05:002008-01-07T16:38:00.000-05:00I think that no college, high school or profession...I think that no college, high school or professional teams should be allow to have Indian mascots because the teams don’t portray the Indians as they really are, same as they did in the 1800s. They are using the Indian mascots as a way to make money and progress and not only are they using for that but also as mockery. I’m not saying that making money or progress is wrong but they are going at it the wrong way. Indians feel disrespected. However, some teams got there mascots from previous owners who were Indians, such as the Red skins. In this situation I consider it acceptable. If Indians were to use Caucasian mascots the Caucasians would feel the same way that the Indians feel now, disrespected, defiled and debased. In this case the teams whose Indian mascot did not come from a previous Indian owner should be forced to change the mascots. This way they will think twice about their next mascot and the Indians wouldn’t feel humiliated in away.<BR/><BR/>Nikita F Charles, 4th hourAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-34511503076596089742008-01-07T11:55:00.000-05:002008-01-07T11:55:00.000-05:00Should high school, college or even professional t...Should high school, college or even professional teams be allowed to have Indian mascots? Why or why not?<BR/>I believe that high school, college or professional teams should be able to have Native American mascots, but under some condition. These teams should respect these people and use names that are respectful to Native Americans. Names like the Washington Redskins should be banned, or at least changed. The reason why this name, Redskins, is so disrespectful is that it is talking about the color of the Indians skin, when in actuality their skin is not really red. One team that I think their name and mascot is not so bad is the Cleveland Indians. This name isn’t so bad because it does not say anything that is derogatory or disrespectful, or at least does not seem to be disrespectful an any way. I also think that professional teams should be able to keep their names and if their disrespectful to modify, or change their names. College and high school teams on the other hand should not be able to keep their names because it would be unnecessary for teams of that level to be disrespectful. Especially high school teams because it would teach the kids that it just doesn’t matter. <BR/>-Brentson Taylor<BR/> 4th Hr.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-16407736411848139352008-01-07T08:25:00.000-05:002008-01-07T08:25:00.000-05:00Lajuan MontgomeryJanuary 7 20072nd hour MR. Wicker...Lajuan Montgomery<BR/>January 7 2007<BR/>2nd hour <BR/>MR. Wickershame<BR/><BR/><BR/>Professional colleges and high schools should have any kind of mascot they want there’s no point of not having a mascot has 1 . They should not be punished, I think they should let them (the schools and colleges) . they should just leave them all alone. From what I saw the Americans forced the Native Americans to become solders, warrior’s etc .The Americans pushed the Native Americans to kill and things in that nature. The native Americans are a part of this society . there is no point of not having a Native Americans stereotype as a mascot ,we should just let them be. there’s no sense of changing the famous mascot now keep it the way it was people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-26587775243207775732008-01-07T08:12:00.000-05:002008-01-07T08:12:00.000-05:00Should high school, college or even professional t...Should high school, college or even professional teams be allowed to have Indian mascots? Why or why not?<BR/> <BR/>I think college, and professional teams should be able to have Indian mascots, but not high school teams. There are plenty of nicknames out there for high schools to choose, so I think they can stay away from Indian mascot names. College and professional teams should be able to have Indian mascot names, as long as they meet certain requirements. In some cases some natives are ok with pro teams using Indian names, like the Cleveland Indians whose nickname was to honor a former Native American player, Louis Sockalexis who played in Cleveland from 1897-99. Most pro teams use Native American mascots to honor, and pay homage to Native American people. The Washington Redskins believe that their team name, symbolizes courage, dignity, and leadership”, and that the “Redskins” symbolize the greatness and strength of a grand people. Also lastly one more reason why college and pro teams should be able to keep their native names, are simply because it just sticks with people around sports, and it would be weird to change it, especially for the fans of the teams. Like the Florida State Seminoles who have great athletic tradition, most notably in Football and baseball, have a tradition before games, where Chief Osceola runs to the 50yard line on his horse, and spikes the flaming spear in the logo which gets the crowd going.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-82098892374005233302008-01-06T23:30:00.000-05:002008-01-06T23:30:00.000-05:00Recently, Native American people have found sports...Recently, Native American people have found sports mascots that are based on Indians to be a problem. As I was viewing the blogs that were posted by my classmates, I found that only 2 people took my side. I believe that sports teams should be allowed to have Native American mascots. No team that has an Indian mascot was planned to harm anyone. Having an Indian mascot is a way of showing deep respect to them. The mascots who are based off of Native Americans have been around for decades. Why change them now? To me, it doesn’t make sense to be angered by anything like this. In no way does it show Indians in a negative way. If anything, they are shown in a positive way, and for those who do not agree, they are looking too deeply at it. A mascot is a representation of the team, and nothing more. When you were watching a sports team, like the Kansas City Chiefs or the Cleveland Indians, did you ever get a negative feeling towards Native Americans? I have not, because the mascot is not important to me. To some people it may be a problem to fight for, but for most, they admire a team’s name and mascot. I believe that having a Native American mascot is a good thing. Ben Zakaria- 2nd HourAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-63872461029010028192008-01-06T23:03:00.000-05:002008-01-06T23:03:00.000-05:00Considering most mascots are animals, it’s strange...Considering most mascots are animals, it’s strange to have humans for mascots. Being a mascot does not seem to be an honor. It seems somewhat stereotypical how Native Americans are portrayed as mascots. Some mascots seem to be more respectful than others, but the cartoony caricatures like mascots are very disrespectful. Some of the mascots seem like they’re making fun of Native Americans. The Cleveland Indians have a very disrespectful mascot. It’s a caricature of a Native American, and it seems very stereotypical. Others like the Washington Redskins seem more respectful. It’s strange that Native Americans are being used for mascots because there has been a lot of conflict with whites and Native Americans. Native American culture has not been embraced very much, and it’s odd that sports teams choose Native Americans for mascots. Whites did not get along with Native Americans for a very long time. Now they are more respected, although some of these mascots are still very disrespectful and stereotypical.<BR/>Merry S. 2nd HourAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-72471963196920781282008-01-06T22:59:00.000-05:002008-01-06T22:59:00.000-05:00Considering most mascots are animals, it’s strange...Considering most mascots are animals, it’s strange to have humans for mascots. Being a mascot does not seem to be an honor. It seems somewhat stereotypical how Native Americans are portrayed as mascots. Some mascots seem to be more respectful than others, but the cartoony caricatures like mascots are very disrespectful. Some of the mascots seem like they’re making fun of Native Americans. The Cleveland Indians have a very disrespectful mascot. It’s a caricature of a Native American, and it seems very stereotypical. Others like the Washington Redskins seem more respectful. It’s strange that Native Americans are being used for mascots because there has been a lot of conflict with whites and Native Americans. Native American culture has not been embraced very much, and it’s odd that sports teams choose Native Americans for mascots. Whites did not get along with Native Americans for a very long time. Now they are more respected, although some of these mascots are still very disrespectful and stereotypical.<BR/>Merry S. 2nd HourAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-47649049773963774422008-01-06T22:24:00.000-05:002008-01-06T22:24:00.000-05:00Should high school, college or even professional t...Should high school, college or even professional teams be allowed to have Indian mascots? Why or why not?<BR/><BR/>I think high school, college, and professional teams should reconsider what they are named. If the schools are willing to go the extra mile and do their research about the tribe they want to use, they’re halfway there. After that, if they are as dedicated to their team as they would like everyone to believe, than the next step should be to find part of that tribe, and a leader, in order to communicate and find out if those people would find the name offensive. Some names don’t even make sense towards the Native American culture. Any of the teams that use “Warrior” don’t know anything about the Native Americans but the stereotypes they’ve heard from previous generations. While, yes, it’s true that some Native Americans were warriors, most of them were fathers, uncles, farmers, all around gentle human beings. These people are just as proud as we are today. What if we had a team called the Detroit Assassins? Or the Detroit Blacks? Or the Chicago Muslims or Chicago Jews? Or what if the Falcons were called the Groves Groundhogs, or something like that? Some people might find it cool, but most would probably find it offensive. If a team wants to use a Native American symbol or tribe as its name, the top people should at least talk to a chief or other leader. In the world of offensive team names, much of it could be avoided. Communication is key.<BR/><BR/>~Jessica Morrison~Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-77776162455153313392008-01-06T21:55:00.000-05:002008-01-06T21:55:00.000-05:00I think that different sports teams with Indian na...I think that different sports teams with Indian names should be allowed on some terms, but not on others. Certain Indian tribes feel offended about the names of College sports team’s names. A certain example of this is Eastern Michigan. They were previously known as the Eastern Michigan Huron’s. This particular tribe was offended by the name, so Eastern Michigan changed there schools mascot to the Eagles. I believe that they took this decision well. If certain Indian tribes feel offended by a name, then I think they should change the name. The situation becomes more complex though when it comes to professional sports teams like the Cleveland Indians, who have had the same name for many years. I think that if a majority of Indian reservations or tribes across the United States said that they took the name as offensive, that they should change the name of the team. I think that many people who weren’t Indians or come from Indian backgrounds would be upset about this, but I think that they should put themselves in the Indians place. There would be a lot of controversy, and law suits if there was a new sports team called the Nebraska Negroes or the Philadelphia Phat Farm. Overall I think that it should be left up to the United States Indian tribes and reservations to make the decision. <BR/>Katie B. 4th HourAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-82568034865265102402008-01-06T21:43:00.000-05:002008-01-06T21:43:00.000-05:00I think that Indian mascots shouldn’t be allowed. ...I think that Indian mascots shouldn’t be allowed. It is disrespectful to use a race of people to represent a team or anything. Especially since the team doesn’t have anything to do with the Native Americans. I could see maybe if the team was made up of Indians or something, but its not. They used Indian mascots for show, and its demeaning to Native Americans, in a way. I sure wouldn’t want a team named after my race, I would be embarrassed, and I’m sure the Native Americans feel embarrassed. They didn’t really do anything to deserve to be named after a team either, but that’s just my opinion. Native Americans need to be respected just like the rest of us. The way that the teams represent Native Americans, is the way that were represented in Hollywood movies. Seen as the bad guys who wear a lot of face and body paint and feather who just want to hurt the Americans. The isn’t fully true, and I’m sure that teams used them as a mascot because they thought it would make them seem more tough, and threatening.<BR/><BR/>from jourdan garlinghouse, 2nd hrAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-58592583404758359392008-01-06T21:41:00.000-05:002008-01-06T21:41:00.000-05:00I think that it is and isn’t acceptable for sports...I think that it is and isn’t acceptable for sports teams to use the Indian as there mascot. It can be taken as disrespectful and racist which offends people, but it is just a name and a picture that was created many years ago. It isn’t intended to hurt or offend anyone it is just supposed to represent a team. I think that high schools, colleges, and professional teams shouldn’t have to change there mascots or team names because it has to do with Indians. It was the stereotype long ago and times have changed but it is difficult to change the name of something that is so well known. I feel that if the situation was reversed in today’s time it would be considered unacceptable, but if it was a name created a long time ago then I don’t think it would be changed, especially if it was a highly respected professional team. I don’t think you can force a professional sports team to change it’s mascot, it would cause a lot of controversy amongst the people who follow that team and who cheer for that team.<BR/>Emily P. 2nd hourAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-26334660772060881282008-01-06T21:35:00.000-05:002008-01-06T21:35:00.000-05:00I have never really thought of Indian/Native Ameri...I have never really thought of Indian/Native American mascots as an insult to their culture. I think that it can go both ways; being an insult, or an honor. I would think of it as an honor, having these mascots represent the courage and the strength of the Native Americans. But after reading everything, I can see how it might be an insult. You are taking something that is very important and sacred to many people, and using it in a sport. When thinking about using other cultures for mascots, I can also understand the offensive side of this matter. If a team, for example, was called the Detroit Latinos, the second that I heard that, I would think that it was offensive. But I think it would be very hard to get a professional team to change their mascot. When so many fans are so used to hearing the “Kansas City Chiefs”, it would be hard to just change it and expect all the fans to accept it. I think it would take a very large portion of people, more than half the majority, to allow a name change for the mascot of a professional team.I have never really thought of Indian/Native American mascots as an insult to their culture. I think that it can go both ways; being an insult, or an honor. I would think of it as an honor, having these mascots represent the courage and the strength of the Native Americans. But after reading everything, I can see how it might be an insult. You are taking something that is very important and sacred to many people, and using it in a sport. When thinking about using other cultures for mascots, I can also understand the offensive side of this matter. If a team, for example, was called the Detroit Latinos, the second that I heard that, I would think that it was offensive. But I think it would be very hard to get a professional team to change their mascot. When so many fans are so used to hearing the “Kansas City Chiefs”, it would be hard to just change it and expect all the fans to accept it. I think it would take a very large portion of people, more than half the majority, to allow a name change for the mascot of a professional team.I have never really thought of Indian/Native American mascots as an insult to their culture. I think that it can go both ways; being an insult, or an honor. I would think of it as an honor, having these mascots represent the courage and the strength of the Native Americans. But after reading everything, I can see how it might be an insult. You are taking something that is very important and sacred to many people, and using it in a sport. When thinking about using other cultures for mascots, I can also understand the offensive side of this matter. If a team, for example, was called the Detroit Latinos, the second that I heard that, I would think that it was offensive. But I think it would be very hard to get a professional team to change their mascot. When so many fans are so used to hearing the “Kansas City Chiefs”, it would be hard to just change it and expect all the fans to accept it. I think it would take a very large portion of people, more than half the majority, to allow a name change for the mascot of a professional team.<BR/>Sidney M.<BR/>2nd hourAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-17694247626280154282008-01-06T20:56:00.000-05:002008-01-06T20:56:00.000-05:00Growing up I'd always heard sports teams such a Br...Growing up I'd always heard sports teams such a Braves, Warriors, Red Skins, and never thought anything of it. Now that I'm learning about the Native American culture I can't believe that in modern day America, we allow sports teams to be so disrespectful and mocking of the Native American culture. As Barbara Munson explains, These teams are using sacred Native American objects, and using them for our team names. She also explains how not all Native Americans were warriors, and they're culture wasn't based on fighting or war. Many Indian Nations were centered off of children, because they are closest to the creator, and also felt women were the creators. If we changed the Pistons, to the Detroit Blacks, or the New York Yankees, to the New York Jews, not only would the names be removed at once, but it would cause to huge stir of controversy. I feel it is wrong, racist, and extremely uneducated to have sports teams named after Native American culture, I believe it should be banned at once.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Katie Rothenberg<BR/>4th hourAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-76983000088214842642008-01-06T20:51:00.000-05:002008-01-06T20:51:00.000-05:00I think high school, college, and professional spo...I think high school, college, and professional sports teams should be banned from using Native American mascots. From seeing the video on how Hollywood stereotyped Native Americans and reading the given quotes and sources, it is clear Native Americans have already been stereotyped enough. Though most know it is not this way anymore, I’m sure many still get the image of a warrior with a bow in hand and feathers on his head when they hear the word Indian, though they know it’s not true. Using images of a Native American with feathers as a mascot for a team that might not even be related or connected to any Natives just encourages the stereotype, and though some teams were started by Natives themselves, many have no connection. Some Natives may live on reservations and live the traditional culture, but there are so many who live out in towns and cities, who hold all different types of strong jobs, raise their kids, and live their lives like any other person. Not having any Native background, I can see why some people may think it’s not that big of a deal for a team to have an Indian mascot, because it doesn’t personally affect them, but the leagues have to remember that this a group of people, just like any other that lives in our country, and they are easily offended just like anyone else. If teams were named after African-Americans, Mexicans, Muslims – any other group of people – it would be considered politically incorrect, and people wouldn’t like it. So why is it correct to continue allowing teams to use Native American mascots? It shouldn’t be.<BR/><BR/>Christine Aiello<BR/>2nd HourAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27943050.post-87447770536891456672008-01-06T20:33:00.000-05:002008-01-06T20:33:00.000-05:00Professional, college, and high school Sports team...Professional, college, and high school Sports teams with Native American Mascots should not be allowed to have Indian mascots. The general opinions of Native Americans are that they do not approve of stereotyping their cultures at all. Using names such as the redskins is very offensive. If the situations were reversed and the Native Americans were stereotyping Americans with offensive names then I do not think that anyone would allow Native Americans to do that. By using stereotypes we are breaking one of the golden rules which is Do onto others as you would wish them do onto you. Although it would be a very difficult task to change Professional sports teams’ Mascots and names due to the immense cost, it is something that must be done. The Native Americans have suffered so much because of Americans and others. The least that we could do is heed to they’re will and ban college and professional teams from using Native American mascots.<BR/>Daniel Mooney, <BR/>2nd hourAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com