controverisla mascots
Controversial Mascots
The controversy surrounding the use of Indian mascots and names in American sports has origins that run deep throughout the history of Indian and non-Indian relations. Today, the use of Indian mascots is at the center of an argument that touches the emotional hearts and souls of many. All across the country names and images of Native Americans are being removed from all sport teams. People are arguing whether team mascots and names are considered “racist”, this altercation is creating a bigger problem than it needs to be. Schools and Sports organizations should not ban the use of controversial mascots. These mascots are symbols meant to honor a culture or a tradition.
The majority of schools mascots have meaning and sentimental value to the school or team; they aren’t made to be “racist” or “dehumanizing” Native Americans in any way. Having sports and school mascots as Native Americans is a way of celebrating and honoring the country's history. If they were banned, that would be another step towards neglecting The United States history. Sarah Lee, a 36 year-old stay-at-home mom from Osceola doesn’t want to change the name she states, “That’s who we’ve been forever. That’s who we are known as. I think we as people make race out to be a bigger issue than it is, and there is important history behind the name” (qtd. in Nuckols). If mascots and names were banned, the teams would not be the same, they would be losing part of their history. Chief James Billie, an Indian himself, and the tribe’s chairman, stated while being happy that Florida State respects Indians and doesn’t dehumanize them through their mascot says “we Seminoles embrace the Appaloosa mascot. They honor us” (qtd. in Tierney). Some Indians are pleased that their culture and tradition is being embraced and having a pure meaning behind them. Teams don’t create a mascot to be racist intentionally. People shouldn’t worry about what other teams have as their mascot, it’s the team's
The controversy surrounding the use of Indian mascots and names in American sports has origins that run deep throughout the history of Indian and non-Indian relations. Today, the use of Indian mascots is at the center of an argument that touches the emotional hearts and souls of many. All across the country names and images of Native Americans are being removed from all sport teams. People are arguing whether team mascots and names are considered “racist”, this altercation is creating a bigger problem than it needs to be. Schools and Sports organizations should not ban the use of controversial mascots. These mascots are symbols meant to honor a culture or a tradition.
The majority of schools mascots have meaning and sentimental value to the school or team; they aren’t made to be “racist” or “dehumanizing” Native Americans in any way. Having sports and school mascots as Native Americans is a way of celebrating and honoring the country's history. If they were banned, that would be another step towards neglecting The United States history. Sarah Lee, a 36 year-old stay-at-home mom from Osceola doesn’t want to change the name she states, “That’s who we’ve been forever. That’s who we are known as. I think we as people make race out to be a bigger issue than it is, and there is important history behind the name” (qtd. in Nuckols). If mascots and names were banned, the teams would not be the same, they would be losing part of their history. Chief James Billie, an Indian himself, and the tribe’s chairman, stated while being happy that Florida State respects Indians and doesn’t dehumanize them through their mascot says “we Seminoles embrace the Appaloosa mascot. They honor us” (qtd. in Tierney). Some Indians are pleased that their culture and tradition is being embraced and having a pure meaning behind them. Teams don’t create a mascot to be racist intentionally. People shouldn’t worry about what other teams have as their mascot, it’s the team's