My response has always been because these trappings and seasonal insults offend the intelligence of thousands of Indigenous Peoples in this country. Invented media images prevent millions of Americans from understanding the authentic human experience of First Nations People, both from long ago and today. This article speaks to the American educator and discusses how, as educators, we are responsible for maintaining the ethics of teaching and for helping to eliminate racism in all aspects of school life. This includes many Indigenous Peoples as well.
Dysconscious racism is a form of racism that accepts dominant white norms and privileges.
For example, if you have seen these racial antics and negative behaviors portrayed by Indian mascots for hundreds of times for most part of your life, you may become absolutely numb to it. That's what I mean by dysconscious racism. However, the thousand of ways in which Indian mascots are used today in American sports culture is racist and should be eliminated, with education used as the tool for liberation. Many schools around the country exhibit Indian mascots and logos, using nicknames, and doing the tomahawk chop in sports stadiums with inauthentic representations of Indigenous cultures. Many school officials think they are honoring Indigenous Peoples and insist their schools' sponsored activities aren't offensive, but rather a compliment.