In Whose Honor?

Sports teams that use Native American mascots often don't respect the tribe they claim to represent as well as they should. Teams ought to drop Native American names and symbols.

This was a video project for my ENG 151 class.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Native
• American
• Mascots
• Sports
• Indian

[80roadster]

As a Native American and a graduate of the University of Ill. I would like to point out that Chief Illiniwek, in particular, is not offensive in any way. The "Chief" as he is affectionately called, is NOT a mascot. He is the "Spirit" of the school. He did not roam the sidelines or appear at mall openings or do the tomahawk chop. He appeared at halftime of the basketball and football games and did his dance. Everybody stands in reverence during his appearance. It is a VERY respectful event.

[08bluman]

@80roadster Thanks for that example. As I've said, this video wasn't meant to lump all schools into one category, but rather to discuss a controversial topic for an assignment.

I do believe there are some schools out there that are respectfully honoring the tribes they represent, while others don't care or wrongfully assume they honor natives.

Also, some students from respectful schools are disrespectful while some students from disrespectful schools are respectful. Generalizing is dangerous.

[08bluman]

@GrizzDipper95: Political correctness does not hinder traditions. Where is your data suggesting that natives feel honored by these mascots? Colonel Rebel wasn't a Native American, so that's not even relevant to the discussion. Think about what you're saying before you say it.

[xstagelightsx]

I don't get why people condone Native American mascots. Having a team called the Redskins is along the same lines as having a team called the Slanty Eyes to make fun of Asians, or the Rednecks to make fun of rural Americans, or the Negroes to make fun of African Americans. People would be LIVID if Whites, Asians, Mexicans, or Blacks were caricatured as mascots. So why is it okay to only portray the Native Americans in this way?

[fireprincess59]

@n8tivlily :3 And for the Mexicans out there, that would be Wet-backs. People are using derogatory terms and racial slurs to promote an unrealistic image about a group of people, further enforcing racial prejudice towards not just Native Americans, but towards every group, by allowing it to be ok in certain situations.

[fireprincess59]

@TheWorldisJCK From a psych student - Those groups that are being forced to give way the power they have over what would be an out group to them (so for us Caucasian Americans, that would be every other race but, for men, it's women, etc) often feel they are giving too much when, in reality, they are giving very little at all. :3 Yes, you have a right to say what you want to say, so long as it doesn't cause harm to people. Disrespect and racial slurs are harmful. ^_^ Know your rights.

[YOSUPAHHH]

1:09 i think thats my Native American History Teacher...Ms. Sandy Dixon :0

[n8tivlily]

@xstagelightsx Don't sugar coat it. If this were happening to Asians and Blacks, the equivocation term to Redskins would be the Chinks or the Niggers. And we all know that shit ain't happening right?

[n8tivlily]

@Shipy5392 it is NOT b.s. :)

[TheWorldisJCK]

Go Redskins and Go Braves! Does this offend you? This is just more political correctness and white guilt, Freedom of speech ftw

[Shipy5392]

@80roadster, Its is because of these jackasses not knowing thier ass from a hole in the ground that Chief Illiniwek has been forced into retirement it makes me sick that this had to happen to the U of I. But yet i NEVER hear anything about these assholes going after Florida State! WTF?!?!?!?!?! Recently have gone after south dakota state and forced them to change they are now the jack rabbits or something like that. (formerly the Fighting Sioux) Get the F outta here you tell me its not B.S.

[Daniel0112358]

@80roadster

the chief is no longer a mascot because the NCAA forced U of I to officially state that he is no longer the mascot. that however was always and remains the sole function of the chief: being a mascot. this is a simple fact.

[honeybeaful]

htt p ://wh .gov/ gmM Retire All Ethnically Offensive Mascots From Public Schools