Kolby’s Fa-13 Mascot essay
Do Native Americans like being portrayed as team mascots? The images of the mascots does not reflect how people see Native Americans. Teams choose images that represent strength and power and the image of the Native Americans represents that. Using Native Americans images and names in professional, collegiate, and high school sports teams does not reinforce and perpetuate stereotypes because those are just images and not how people see Native Americans.
The mascots that are based on Native American images evoke strength and power. Sports teams pick mascots that will demonstrate their strength, power and pride. Many believe that Native Americans represent these qualities and therefore are the perfect choice to be used as mascots. “Mascots provide a symbol that can be a focal point for a fan community.” (Article: Native American Mascots in Sports.) The teams that use Native Americans as mascots are Atlanta Braves, Washington Redskins, and Florida…show more content… The president of Florida State University quoted “ That the NCAA would now label our close bond with the seminole people as culturally hostile and abusive is both outrageous and insulting.” (NCAA takes Aim at indian mascots, CBS/AP, August.) “While NCAA officials admit they still can’t force schools to change nicknames or logos, they are making a statement they believe is long overdue. Eighteen mascots, including Florida State Seminole and Illinois, Illini, were on the list of offenders” (NCAA Take Aim At Indian Mascots INDIANAPOLIS, August 5, 2005) The use of Native Americans as mascots do not display discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race. The controversy over the use of Native Americans as mascots is not a problem because some of the Native Americans does not see it as a problem like the other Native Americans do. Some do not see it as a problem because they do not feel like they are being
