When people are excited about a big game or a tournament appearance, there are all kinds of images and caricatures that appear. Sometimes the only things more offensive than what a school creates for itself is what its opponents create against it. Some of the most shocking images have come from students at rival universities. When children see these T-shirts and posters, whether they are American Indian children or not, they understand that the people are being degraded and shamed. As faculty and administrators of more institutions have become sensitive to diversity issues in recent years, more institutions have reviewed their use of American Indian mascots and imagery.
Scholars note that times have changed over the last three decades.
It's no longer only a Native American issue, it is an issue of racism perpetuated by intercollegiate athletics. Ann H. Die, president of Hendrix College and former chair of the Division III Presidents Council, announced a few years ago that the time had come for her institution to examine the issue. In January 2000, Die announced that the Hendrix Warriors would retain the nickname but no longer use American Indian or other ethnic imagery. The school is temporarily without any logo or mascots while a committee continues to examine alternatives. When I arrived in 1992, it was back on the table.