Indian Mascots

Mc9, thank you for accepting. I look forward to what you bring to the table. I"ll expand on my 4 main points. 1-the caricatures that the vast majority of Indian Mascots only represent an idealized version of Native Americans. From Chief Wahoo of the Cleveland Indians to Chief Illiniwek (retired, 2007) of the University of Illinois do not represent the local indigenous groups. They are often portrayed as an idealized Plains Indian which does not represent the Native Americans in general and especially not locally. If the claim that the use of these mascots is to honor them, how is it an honor to ignore their culture? 2-The imagery associated with the Mascots is of valor, strength, courage, all good qualities to be sure, but also limiting. Wisdom, and kindness are not. From a study by Stephanie Fryberg (http://www.indianmascots.com... p4) shows that out of the top 20 words associated with Indians, only one, casino, is a modern term. The rest describe Native Americans in stereotypical ways of a perceived historical version. And only two, reservation and Trail of Tears, indicate any of the tragedy Native Americans experienced. The stereotype cements the image that Indians are only historical and of no contemporary relevance today. It devalues their current fight for civil rights and ignores their current challenges with poverty. Also the stereotype has a negative effect in forming opinions of American Indian by non-natives. In a study by Dr's. Chaney, Burke and Burkely (http://www.ucdenver.edu...(1)_Chaney_Do_American_Indian_Mascots_42-60.pdf p 54) shows that Indian Mascots have a negative image with non-natives and this is reflected in non-natives attitudes towards Native Americans. 3-From the above study by Fryberg shows that even a positive connection with Indian Mascots creates a negative self-esteem among Native Americans, lowers community efficacy (believe in ones community to improve itself) and limits achievement goals (p6). Low self-esteem, low achievement goals and a belief in no community support creates depression which often leads to suicide (http://www.jaacap.com...(09)63603-0/abstract?cc=y= ) Native American children have some of the nation"s highest rates of suicide. http://www.sprc.org... 4-Why would this be important? Why should a minority voice have priority over the majority? If we lived in a class system we could mark the Native Americans as that unfortunate class and go about our merry ways. However we live in a country that espouses universal freedom and equality. Jefferson"s "all men are created equal," from The Declaration of Independence forms the political philosophy for this ideal. Granted it was originally meant for white male landowners but that franchise of equality was soon spread to all white males. After the 13th amendment the franchise was extended to all male US citizens, after the 19th amendment all male and female US citizens had full rights. And finally in 1924 with the Indian Citizen Act, this concept of equality was extended to all. This move towards full equality is part of the fabric of our political lives. To perpetuate a stereotype that has proved negative effects on a group of people is to make them into second class citizens, contrary to our political and constitutional system.