Savage Country Part III: Tulsa Union Racism 2008

Continuing an exploration of the use of American Indian mascots, this segment features Cherokee councilwoman, Cara Cowan, and Kiowa educator, Evans Ray Satepauhoodle, commenting on the mascot issue. Specific video relates to the 2008 Tulsa Union Redskins football team and a protest at the nationally televised Union vs. Jenks game. A protest on the evening of the game was organized by the Tulsa Indian Coalition Against Racism and S.P.I.R.I.T., another Native American activism group dedicated to bringing awareness to American Indian issues.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• American
• Indian
• Mascots
• Tulsa
• Union
• Redskins
• Racism
• Oklahoma
• documentary
• grassroots
• outreach
• commentary
• analysis

[haizlystar]

Nowhere in any of the dictionaries does it say that the term redskin comes from indians being skinned alive or anything about being shot in the back and then skinned alive . This is just misleading B/S that somebody is throwing in the mix to prop up their stories of racism . The dictionaries plainly state that is was the red color of their skin that the term comes from .

[ekvcate]

Doesn't the dictionary also say it's an offensive term?

[Razor816]

im indian and i go to union? its not a big mother fucking deal!!!? omfg an indian mascot!! there raciest!! no!!! maybe its outta respect!!! dumbasses

[ekvcate]

Thanks for your sensitive, understanding comments. I'm guessing your "Indian-ness" is validated by your mascot and so it hurts you to think it could be removed. Good luck in gaining some perspective as you go through life.

[DaVeE619]

This is complete and udder.. BULLSHIT.

Union stands for when the 5 tribes of Okla.

came together to create one school.

And since Pawnechikacherocreekans didn't exactly work. They named THEMSELVES the redskins...

I am a Union Redskin. I will be for life.

AND IM FROM AUSTRALIA.

And i'm aboriginal, and we have football club teams called the bushwackers, which is a bad name to call an abo. But i don't care because it symbolizes who founded the oranization.

[ekvcate]

I think you are little off on your history. There are 38 tribes in Oklahoma. The five you are speaking of, I think, are the Southeastern tribes forcibly removed to the state where the Osage, Wichita, Caddo, Kiowa, Comanche, Pawnee already lived... So, since you are obviously lacking in historical knowledge: strike one; And since you have already demonstrated that you have no regard for how your own people are depicted, you have no credibility here: strike two; Since you are Aussie: strike three.

[BulletProof1288]

All so callled native american mascots should be changed. Or here's another solution. In our tribal colleges we should change our mascots to "The Niggers", "White Trash", "The Wet Backs" or how about "The Zipperheads"... How does that sound to some of you folks that have Native mascots??

[miggetymike1]

I'm a native american who went through Union from K-12 and I never once saw any evidence that they were trying to disrespect or be racist towards native americans. I guess if you want to see something you can find it anywhere. How people cheering in favor of indians is disrespectful is beyond me.

[SPS148669]

Savages came from Human Sacrifice.

[lizardjoel]

This is horrible, i hate racist people.

[TheMidnadarkness]

the mascot offensive to native americans because the mascot is wearing the clothing of a native american. I'm part Navoho indian and I'm getting offensive because I think the mascot and the team name is making fun of my people. it's like they are calling americans white skins and calling my people redskins very offensive.

[honeybeaful]



**********

.change.org/petitions/

************** union-high-school-no-more-inst­itutionalized-racism-in-public­-schools? pe=d4e

Sign a petition to end this treatment of American Indian children.

[honeybeaful]

If you have experienced a violation of civil rights or feel that your school is a hostile environment.

If you have been harassed or made to feel humiliated at school by persons at your school or by other persons from another school at school events.. please let the Office of Civil Rights know about your incident by filing a complaint.

They have a way to do that on their website, they are part of the Department of Education. You do not have to suffer in silence.

[ArtemesUSN]

The lady who is talking about they dont have the right is woefully uneducated. They do have the right, its called freedom of speech. There is no hate crime, it doesnt harm you in any way. Indian culture has been put away by the indians. Culture adapts, so have the indians. For the record I am indian, Cherokee (A.S.).

[sjtsatoke]

@haizlystar you have been programmed to believe everything you read. The term 'redskins' comes from the scalp bounties they had for indian ppls scalps and remains. Also, the military used to kill an indian man. skin him from the nape of his neck down his back to his heels and makes reins for their horses. this was used as a form of terrorism to scare indian ppl into initiating attacks

[atvsandshark]

I believe the mascot was blessed by Wilma Mankiller who at the time was the Chief of The Five Civilized Tribes. So do your research and learn your history before attacking a mscot that has been blessed by the Indian Nation. If memory serves me correctly the mascot was blessed back in the early 90's. So go away and open another Casino. i think that casinos are offensive and lead to marital problems and put people in the poor house

[atvsandshark]

I believe the mascot was blessed by Wilma Mankiller who at the time was the Chief of The Five Civilized Tribes. So do your research and learn your history before attacking a mscot that has been blessed by the Indian Nation. If memory serves me correctly the mascot was blessed back in the early 90's. So go away and open another Casino.

[soonerguy07]

"Who cares about a fucking mascot," that is what grandpa really said.