Austin Chambers
Unity and Diversity
Term Paper
Native American Mascot use
Native Americans have been on this land for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Their way of life is very different from the socially accepted way of the Europeans. The traditional symbols of their people and the ceremonial dress that they wore are considered sacred. Many different college universities, professional sports teams and public businesses use these sacred symbols, images and traditional dress as a logo or mascot for their team or business.
As our country grows larger and more diverse, there is much popular debate from both Native Indians and Non-Indians about the use of these logos and symbols, and its moral appropriateness in today's society. There are some that feel those who use of these symbols "are complacent with and supportive of the actions of our nation's predecessors who engaged in what amounts to genocide and theft on an epic scale" ( Wisniewski, 2005 ) and there are others who feel that the use of these logos and symbols "honor American Indian history and values" (Wegner, 2005 ).
The only way to discuss this topic fairly is to look at both sides of the debate and evaluate for yourself the validity of points made for and against the use of these logos and symbols. In order to do this I am going to break this paper into two parts. Part 1 will be entirely against the use of Native American symbols in this way and part two will be entirely for the continued use of the Symbols.
Part I
Native Americans are raised with a set of values that are different from the values instilled in Caucasians. They are taught to respect nature and preserve its natural beauty. They are also taught to respect certain figures of their community that have obtained a status of great honor and responsibility. The figure I am referring to is the chief of the tribe. The chief can be spotted easily by the traditional dress, usually consisting of fine quality buckskin,... [continues]
Unity and Diversity
Term Paper
Native American Mascot use
Native Americans have been on this land for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Their way of life is very different from the socially accepted way of the Europeans. The traditional symbols of their people and the ceremonial dress that they wore are considered sacred. Many different college universities, professional sports teams and public businesses use these sacred symbols, images and traditional dress as a logo or mascot for their team or business.
As our country grows larger and more diverse, there is much popular debate from both Native Indians and Non-Indians about the use of these logos and symbols, and its moral appropriateness in today's society. There are some that feel those who use of these symbols "are complacent with and supportive of the actions of our nation's predecessors who engaged in what amounts to genocide and theft on an epic scale" ( Wisniewski, 2005 ) and there are others who feel that the use of these logos and symbols "honor American Indian history and values" (Wegner, 2005 ).
The only way to discuss this topic fairly is to look at both sides of the debate and evaluate for yourself the validity of points made for and against the use of these logos and symbols. In order to do this I am going to break this paper into two parts. Part 1 will be entirely against the use of Native American symbols in this way and part two will be entirely for the continued use of the Symbols.
Part I
Native Americans are raised with a set of values that are different from the values instilled in Caucasians. They are taught to respect nature and preserve its natural beauty. They are also taught to respect certain figures of their community that have obtained a status of great honor and responsibility. The figure I am referring to is the chief of the tribe. The chief can be spotted easily by the traditional dress, usually consisting of fine quality buckskin,... [continues]
Cite This Essay
- APA
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(2006, 05). Native American Mascots. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 05, 2006, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Native-American-Mascots-88306.html
- MLA
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"Native American Mascots" StudyMode.com. 05 2006. 05 2006 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/Native-American-Mascots-88306.html>.
- CHICAGO
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"Native American Mascots." StudyMode.com. 05, 2006. Accessed 05, 2006. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Native-American-Mascots-88306.html.
