“Indian” mascots – appropriate or not?

[Prairie Purrs]

Originally posted by mugsy
Where do you get that it's racist? They are complimenting them for God's sake. The teams want something that is strong and decisive...how is that racist? Yes, the mascots could be A LOT less stupid acting and more respectful if they are dressed in Native American garb.

The Native Americans don't see it as a compliment. They see it as someone appropriating and parodying their traditions and dress. Kinda like a minstrel show.

[Soledad]

I guess it is a compliment. Just like telling black people how good they were at picking cotton and playing banjos.

[moosmom]

ES&D!

Ya know, for an athiest, you sure have a Holier-Than-Thou attitude. Sounds like you could use some boody, girlfriend.

[Logan]

Soledad, you have proven yourself to be cruel and uncaring time and time again, which is why your arguments for Native Americans or any other minority group fall on deaf ears, as far as as I am concerned. You, who make jokes of those who are illiterate, or can't speak proper English, should be careful who you defend. Just remember your cruel words in regards to respected Pet Talk members before you start casting stones at our opinions on other members posts. I would think you, of all people, would remain silent on an issue like this one.

There is no one that I have seen that is not in support of the Native American needs........all that I have read just think that fighting against mascots on teams, whether they be high school, college or professional is a drop in the bucket compared to the other needs of that particular culture.

[Soledad]

Boody? Do you mean booty?

I assure you, I am regularly serviced.

[mugsy]

Ok, nevermind....you'll never get the point I'm trying to make and obviously have no interest in doing so, so I am not going to waste my time. I've talked to A LOT of Native Americans who feel the same way I do and are offended at the people who are doing the protesting, so I choose to listen to the people who are actually a part of the "fight" and not those who think they know what every minority group in the world wants. Unfortunately, the protesters are the ones who get the publicity.

[moosmom]

I assure you, I am regularly serviced.

Oh well, geez! TMI for me!! I'm done now. I get more mature conversation from my cats than Humpty Dumpty (Soledad) here.

BTW, thanks for the support everyone!

[RICHARD]

here in CA we have the AZTECS from the UNI of San Diego...

They had (another un-pc mascot) a guy dressed up as Montezuma and the Hispanic community raised a stink about him...

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/campuscon...48/detail.html

Now he is a more accurate representation of
and Aztec warrior.....

Would that help in the ND mascot case???

Get him a better looking pair of shoes and make him taller???

The Florida State Seminoles have an ass kicking mascot. This guy comes flying out on a horse with a huge headdress on....
_-----------

The Florida State Chief is steeped in history and tradition. Perhaps the most spectacular tradition in all of college football occurs in Doak Campbell Stadium when a student portraying the famous Seminole Indian leader, Chief Osceola, charges down the field riding an Appaloosa horse named Renegade and plants a flaming spear at midfield to begin every home game.

The history of the Seminole Indians in Florida is the story of a noble, brave, courageous, strong and determined people who, against great odds, struggled successfully to preserve their heritage and live their lives according to their traditions and preferences. From its earliest days as a university, Florida State has proudly identified its athletic teams with these heroic people because they represent the traits they wanted their athletes to have.


While it may be a little disrepsectful to some to see that happen, how can it hurt to see someone portray a group of people?

Again,

If they had some guy carrying a jug of firewater and doing a crazy drunken indian dance while trying to scalp a cheerleader I'd have problems with that....

But then again, if you go into some states and choose to view a real Indian do a real Indian dance so you drop a few buck in town-who's doing the exploiting??

[2kitties]

RICHARD! It's time to open the bar!

[Prairie Purrs]

http://www.racismagainstindians.org/...ingMascots.htm

[catland]

excelent article CinD.

I did not know for example, about Indians being forbidden to practice their religion.

I think one of the issues here is how people who support the mascots are branded as "racist" when they are really just uninformed. This can then make them defensive because they know that they aren't racists.

There are traditions of using strong warrior names for school teams such as "Vikings", "Trojans" (stop giggling 2k and Gini), and "Spartans". I think that many people, myself included, thought of the word "Braves" in this same fashion, as a compliment, and not a put-down. Which is why we cringe when someone calls us racists.

Education is the best way to tackle this issue.

[gini]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by catland
[B].


(stop giggling 2k and Gini)

I have to admit that I am giggling............along with a bunch of other folks.........but not about your comments

[2kitties]

Trojans, she said Trojans.giggles

[gini]

Yeah, 2k - I went to a big party for the football game between USC AND UCLA......there were lots of Trojans there.............and some Bruins too

[2kitties]

See, now ya'll just get me in trouble. I'm a smart girl. I know where you're trying to get me to go with this. Then everybody will be all in a huff about it.
Say No To Smutt!