Native Americans Mascots Essay

Imagine yourself at a sporting event. You are enjoying the last bite of your foot-long hot dog, anticipating the moment the half time show will begin. Out comes the shoe-less, plaid-shirt wearing, ripped and dirty blue jean sporting mascot. His name is â€Å"Billy Bob– the wildest hillbilly in the boondocks. † He goes running around, chugging down his fake moonshine and spitting tobacco. Being a native of Appalachia, you find yourself upset, and state this to be extremely offending. However, your sister who is attending the game with you casually laughs it off, stating that it is just hilarious. The disagreement between siblings from the same background can be compared to the discontent many people face when concerning the use of Native American Mascots. We will be reviewing the varying opinions and beliefs on the matter of using Native American symbols at sporting events. There are many people who believe that it is very disrespectful towards Native Americans. Not only is it demeaning the values that they believe in, but it is also poking fun at their image in a very negative way. However, there are also the people who feel that using the names of Native Americans and their image is not only very honorable, but is a helpful reminder to people of the fight that they once went through. We are going to take a look at some of the different standpoints on the matter, some statistics, and even some cases that have resulted from this dispute. Honoring Native Americans is what many believe the mascots do. Those who support the use of these symbols and identities are convinced that they show their admirable characteristics and reflect them positively. In June of 2007, there was a law signed by Governor Phil Bredesen, for the state of Tennessee to be able to â€Å"continue to honor certain persons or cultures through the use of symbols, names and mascots† (Holliday. ) However, the bill stated that it would be void in the circumstance that these Native American symbols were being portrayed as demeaning or in an obscene way. If the school is actually recognizing the positive qualities of the Native Americans, then the use of their symbols as mascots should not be an issue. Of course, there are those who are easily offended and oppose this idea. On this side of the debate, there are other issues that come into view. For the schools that are not using Native American mascots appropriately, they would be required to not only have their traditional name change, but require new uniforms and gear. This could result in the fans holding prejudiced opinions towards the Native Americans, which in return could be more harmful than before. Many cannot see why using Native Americans and their images as mascots or logos could be considered negative or even disrespectful. What they do not understand is the potential stereotyping that is associated with these images. Coming from a place such as Appalachia, I can concur with these stereotyping insecurities. A study published in Basic and Applied Social Psychology states, â€Å"If American Indian mascots are regarded as negative stereotypes then their psychological effects will also be negative. For example, activating negative stereotypes is associated with disengagement, lower self-esteem, and decreased aspirations for careers and leadership† (Stone. ) It goes on to speak of the potential for positive stereotypes, but that does not always guarantee a positive outcome. There is also a mention of how positive stereotypes can lead to negative consequences. An example of this is a woman who is considered warm and affectionate, and how she is in return believed to be weak, basically less competent. The offensive repercussions from these mascots have some people hoping and working towards a change. Arguers against the use of Native American mascots believe that teams could just as well play under a different team name. The offensive cartoons or taglines that are associated with a team’s merchandise could lead to the negative stereotypes of Indians as savages, which is said to be the starting line on the path to racism. In 2005, the NCAA took a stand for what they believed was right and what they thought the public wanted; they banned the images and nicknames of Native Americans in post season tournaments. They removed any nicknames and images that could be seen as â€Å"hostile† or â€Å"abusive. † Starting in February of 2006, mascots would not be allowed to perform at halftime shows, and their cheerleaders and band members would not be able to wear American Indians on their uniforms. One school in particular believed that this was wrong and very quickly complained and even threatened legal action. The president of Florida State, home of the Seminoles, T. K. Wetherell said in a statement, â€Å"I intend to pursue all legal avenues to ensure that this unacceptable decision is overturned, and that this university will forever be associated with the ‘unconquered’ spirit of the Seminole Tribe of Florida† (The Florida State University. ) While the NCAA officials admit they can’t force the schools to change their nicknames or logos, they are making a statement they believe is long overdue. In some states, such as New York and Maryland, there have been similar courses of action taken in order to resolve this debate. The Commissioner of Education of New York, required schools to discuss the issue with the directive that â€Å"the use of Native American symbols or depictions as mascots can become a barrier to building a safe and nurturing school. † The Maryland Department of Education decided that the schools in Maryland must deliberate the issue. In result, approximately half of its schools decided to change their logos. Some were left undecided, leaving less than half with their original names. Just like the debate on whether this use is morally right or wrong, the decision seems to be split. Other state boards of education have considered similar actions. Minnesota and North Carolina are just a few. In Kansas and Michigan, there are recommendations to completely discontinue these names, and seek some more appropriate ones. In the past three decades, most colleges that held mascots or names that were Native American have rid them from their halls (Taylor.) In the Chronicle of Higher Education, it states â€Å"Today about 58 colleges nationwide have Native American mascots, and besides Illinois, only four compete at the high-profile Division I-A level: Arkansas State University, Florida State University, the University of North Dakota, and San Diego State University† (Selingo. ) The statistics have some questioning the time and effort that many have spent on the issue. Biology professor, Stephen J. Kaufman at Illinois stated, â€Å"The amount of time and effort all sides have spent on this issue is absurd. The Revolutionary War took 7 years, the Civil War 4 years, and here we are in our 15th year. † The fifteen year debate he is speaking of is that of the decision whether the University of Illinois Chief Illiniwek is an appropriate display of Native American characteristics (Sellingo. ) This debate has been going on for many years, and will probably continue to be argued. On this debate, I am on the fence. If honoring Native Americans is the intention, and it is done correctly, I see no wrong in using Native American mascots. However, any occurrences where the mascots are not acting or representing their namesakes properly should be removed. The main concern should not be the school or the consequences that could come from removing these mascots. The focus, as it should always be, must be on the ones being portrayed. The battle of whether the use of Native American mascots and symbols is right or wrong, is still ongoing. This debate will probably never cease, because there will never be one unanimously decided solution, for not everyone sees it one way or the other. Either our society is going to have to learn to respect others, or we are going to have to eliminate the possibility of unfair treatment and discrimination. Both seem to be out of our own hands, and not to be pessimistic, but quite unattainable. However, only the future holds the true answer to this ongoing debate. We can only hope for a fair solution. Works Cited â€Å"Florida State University responds to NCAA decision banning use of Native American symbols. † The Florida State University. Web. 20 Jul. 2012. . Holliday, Courtney. â€Å"Tennessee Votes to Protect American Indian Mascots . † First Amendment Center . Web. 20 Jul. 2012. . â€Å"Indian Mascots in Sports. †Ã‚  Scholastic Action  34. 5/6 (2010): 30. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 20 Jul. 2012. Joseph M. Stone, et al. â€Å"Of Warrior Chiefs and Indian Princesses: The Psychological Consequences of American Indian Mascots. †Ã‚  Basic & Applied Social Psychology  30. 3 (2008): 208-218. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 20 Jul. 2012. Selingo, Jeffrey. â€Å"An Honored Symbol to Some, a Racist Mascot to Others. †Ã‚  Chronicle of Higher Education50. 41 (2004): A20. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 20 Jul. 2012. Taylor, Kelley R. â€Å"Mascots, Team Names, and Cultural Sensitivity. †Ã‚  Education Digest  68. 2 (2002): 43. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 20 Jul. 2012.