Blog #18

After reading the essay, I strongly believe that Indian characters should not be used as mascots for sports teams and schools. Although it is not always intended to be offensive it is greatly disrespectful to the Native American people. The word Indian is meant to describe a race or culture, not sports teams. Many of the teams and schools owning these mascots are not even familiar with the real meaning of some of the terms they call themselves such as Chiefs, Redmen, Braves and Redskins.  These names we're actually made during a time of racism against the Indian people. The article states that "The American Heritage Dictionary defines Redskin as offensive slang. The same phrase they use to define nigger and spic." (P. 367) The term Redskin comes from a time in history when the murdering of Native Americans were promoted.  During this time bounties were placed on the scapls and skin of he indian prisoners, the scalps were like a type of receipt to get a reward for those who killed the Indians. In my opinion schools and teams should  not be representing mascots with words that they don't fully understand. 

While these stereotypical labels were being given out to public schools and teams, many native Americans themselves were not attending schools because of the racism and torment. Throughout all of this Native American people are still portrayed as aggressive fighters, which is yet another reason Indians should not be used as mascots. It is not ethically right to have students dancing around wearing headdresses while the opposing team chants "Scalp the Indians". The headdresses and feathers are honored spiritual symbols the Native American culture that should be respected, but at games and school events they are simply props used to mock and discourage their culture. Although in some cases its mot meant to be disrespectful, the ignorance creates disrespect. In part of the story it says "I began a long walk down the stairway that ends up just behind the backstop. People booed, hissed and yelled "get a job" "hey chief" and "get a haircut"."  (P. 371) This is another example of how disrespected the Native American culture is. If citizens cannot respect the real culture of a group of people, they should not have the right to display mascots and banners representing that culture or traditions.