Native American Indian names for sports mascots and teams - Are they racist?

[Bobbieo]

How do you DUers feel about using American Indian names and totems as sports team names and mascots?

[Turbineguy]

1. Even chessboards and checkerboards

are racist!

Make everything grey.



:hide:

[northzax]

2. nah, I find it entertaining

I can't wait for the annual matchup between the Redskins and the Niggers. Although, last year it was ruined when the Wetbacks upset the Redskins in the opener. Personally, I will remain a Kike fan until I die.

[ThomCat]

7. You put it in excellent perspective.

:applause:

[Larkspur]

3. The Seminoles support the use of their name for FL State

And I think I read that the Seminole tribe made the outfit that the FL State mascot wears. I love FL State's Appaloosa. I have an Appaloosa. I'm a Notre Dame grad so I cheer for ND.

I guess it's up to the Native Americans whether their tribal names can be used and they have a right to point out that non tribal specific mascot names, like Redmen, can be racist.

Another thing to think about -- is using Viking a slam on Nordic people? The mascot for my alma mater, Notre Dame, came from a cartoon that ridiculed the Irish. The Irish aren't clamoring for it to be replaced.

[YellowdogIam]

17. Rethink the word 'tribe'

It's Seminole Nation.. not Seminole 'tribe'

[On the Road]

4. There are Differences

"Redskins" should definitely be changed.

"Braves" or "Chiefs" is honorific and fine IMO. The Cleveland Spiders changed their name to the Indians specifically to honor on beloved player, Louis Sockalexis. That hardly seems racist. The grinning mascot may make some people feel uncomfortable, and perhaps they should choose another one. But that artistic style was pretty common at the time and mostly used to depict white people.

One of the side effects of greater racial sensitivity these days is that native Americans have become almost invisible in national consciousness, and that's a shame.

[SoxFan]

5. Depends on the name and context

Names like Redskins, Redmen, or Bloodthirsty Savages, yes.

But what about names that are reasonably respectful and reflect a region's heritage, eg, Florida State Seminoles, North Dakota Fighting Sioux? I don't see a big problem there. Those names are analagous to Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Iona Gaels, Minneosota Vikings.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. It depends

I've heard that the Seminole Tribe in Florida WANT the school to use their name. But my alma mater, the University of Illinois, was strongly criticized for calling themselves the Fighting Illini, and Chief Illiniwek and his dances were axed from the games.

Interestingly enough, when I drive by high schools in Oklahoma, I don't see any that use Indian mascots. In Talequah, capital of the Cherokee Nation, their high school is called the Black Diamonds.

I was thinking that would be a cool way of designating all schools-by geometric symbols. I vote that the University of Illinois be known as the Blue Quadrangles.

[RethugAssKicker]

8. Now that Indians are no longer a threat...it is cute to "honor"

them as adorable mascots... BULLSHIT !

Its very racist !

[Fed_Up_Grammy]

9. Aw,come on. The Irish don't mind The Boston Celtics. Lighten up.

And don't forget The Fighting Irish.

[northzax]

10. well let's see

the place that uses the name digging Irish is run by...oh right, Irish Catholics. It's self deprecating. How many native Americans play for the braves? Go to Florida state? Something tells me that if Cambridge or oxford had a 'fighting Irish' team, people from the emerald isle might object.

The stereotype can be funny if applied to a powerful group. A team in tel aviv using a Jew as a mascot can be funny. One in Berlin? Not so funny. If using someone else's religious and cultural heritage as stereotypes is ok, why was the Stanford band banned from south bend after performing a mock crucifixtion at halftime?

[Bono Ritchards]

11. The name Redskins is

I don't know about the rest, but that one sure is.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[greggypetty]

13. Native American Related Mascots

We cannot censor every thing that might insult a person, if anyone has read Fahrenheit 451 they will know what I mean. Native Americans has the right to feel offended, but how it is offensive is something I don't quite understand. My best friend is a Native American, and he has no problems with things like this, or the rest of his family.

Personally, I would feel proud that my heritage was honored to be a school mascot. The mascot is not something that people poke fun at, but something the whole school is proud of. are not something to be ashamed or offended by. Like I said above, where is the image of a Native American disgraced? To me, it seems like it is respected. Now, to some tribes, feathers are involved in sacred traditions, and are sacred themselves, so that is a little different. If sacred things are being portrayed as too commonplace, then that could possibly be altered. But they probably shouldn't remove them as http://www.bestmascots.com/catalog/high-school-mascots>high school mascots.

[jcarterhero]

15. I agree with you

People are taking this way too seriously.

[guardian]

14. How about "The Fighting Whites"?

http://www.cafepress.com/fightinwhite/

[dana_b]

22. right - i'm sure that and "blackskins" or "yellowskins"

would be just fine too. I mean gee- it's all in good fun right?

[YellowdogIam]

16. what crap

I am Native American
It's a little late to worry about 'political correctness' at this late stage of the game don't ya think

The time for political correctness was years ago when the the treaties were trashed and the only REAL AMERICANS were forced marched across country

[ffellini7080]

18. could care less

As long as it's not racist.

[HardWorkingDem]

19. Have read many books, articles and essays on this...some answers here disappointing...

There are many fine books on this subject, as well as countless essays. For one thing, I do not think it is up to white America to answer this question, mainly because white America lacks the sincerity to try and examine this issue from eyes beyond that of white America, nor is it white America's privilege to use Native American culture and history for their own use.

Someone here brought up the University of Illinois' mascot. Not to be overly harsh to this poster, but it is obvious from his/her comments little is known about the UofI's former mascot. For one thing, it was not an authentic depiction of the Native American's it supposedly honored. There were many cultural and factual inaccuracies about this "mascot."

I would suggest people pick up one of the many books available and read up more on this subject and in these texts, the answer will probably become quite clear.

Lastly, why is it that white America is so quick to latch on to other cultures and when doing so, claim to be honoring them? Especially after we have tried to decimate many of these cultures?

[stopchildabuse]

20. racist

yes they are racist

[Visioniz]

21. Definitions

The use of the english language has become so convoluted and perverse that people rarely know what the words they use, mean

Racist, racism, bigotry, bigoted etc, are usually misused.

Using an Indian name as a mascot is not racist as much as it is derogatory,; showing the Indian people no respect for their culture.
Disrespecting another ethnic groups culture is not racist, it's callous, prejudiced perhaps but not racist.

I love my dictionaries.....look, understand and then write folks.

[benedictinator]

23. big suprise it is what it is

,....