Does it matter how the mascot of a certain team is represented? It is just some guy dressed in a costume right? This is what I thought before I actually considered the issue. Today there are many people that think having a Native American, or Indian, mascot is offensive and the images portrayed are stereotypical. I agree. In the beginning I thought "It's just a mascot, no big deal." After researching I realized this situation is disrespectful to the Native Americans. In a sense in dehumanizes them. 
Before 1978, Native Americans could not legally practice their religion. Meanwhile, during the 1920's and 1950's, they had to watch their traditions and customs be mocked.(Rose, 2003) Ceremonies were held to choose such mascots by involving drums, clothing, and the sacred feathers. In today's society mascots and teams have their own traditions which are disturbing to some Native Americans. In Massachusetts, a team burns an Indian the night before a game. A school in Minnesota requires the teachers and students to dress as cowboys and Indians after a pep rally. The cowboys will yell and then beat up the Indians.(Rose, 2003) In Kansas a man who thought best to change the mascot received e-mails from enraged students. They stated the destruction of his home and the rape of his wife.
There are many reasons why some Native Americans would find these mascots offensive. Names such a Red Raiders imply an attitude of war-like, destructive behavior. The term redskin refers to the skinning of Indians in the past. This term simply means bloody skin and does not describe their skin color. Opposing teams may shout "kill the Indian" or "scalp the Sioux".(Rose, 2003) Such remarks may scare children of make individuals of Native American decent feel uncomfortable. Teams are not allowed to be called the Jews, or the Asians. Why should the Native Americans be any different? Overall mascots are animals such as bears, lions, panthers, tigers, etc. Humans should not be categorized with animals that are hunted. During my research there was a quote that hit my heart. "People hang animal heads in their dens, and Indian heads in their gymnasiums." Some Natives may not see this issue as offensive, but everyone is different. 
After reading the selections in Mrs. B's class I realized that the Native American religion and beliefs about the earth are similar to the religion of most other Americans. They believed the Earth was created in a way similar to the bible. They also believed in good and evil to keep the world balanced. In the selection "La Relacion" Cabeza de Vaca encountered Native Americans after he and his men became shipwrecked. The Natives were not violent towards the men. In fact, they brought them food and provided shelter for the men until the were able to return to Spain. Not all Indians were savages and it is wrong to involve stereotypes. In my opinion, I believe all Indian mascots should be changed out of respect for the Native Americans.
BlackAthleteSportsNetwork.NoBlackSkinForRedskinsHeadCoach.2008.<http://www.black athlete.net/artman2/publish/BASN_BLACKBOX_54/NFL_No_Black_Skin_ For_Redskins_Head_Coach.shtml>.
ICTMN Staff. Fight Over “Fighting Sioux” Still Rages. Indian Country Today Media Network.com.Jan.12,2011.<http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/01/12/fight-over-fighting-sioux-still-rages-11226>.
Munson, Barbara. About the “Teach Respect-Not Racism” Artwork. Wisconsin Indian Education Association. 2011. <http://indianmascots.com/>.
Rose, Christine. Understanding The American Indian Mascot Issue. STAR- Students and Teachers Against Racism. 2003. <http://www.racismagainstindians.org/UnderstandingMascots.htm>.
Scott. San-diego-state-aztecs-logo-300x278. Sports Book Gurus Online Sports News. Feb. 26, 2011. <http://www.sportsbookgurus.com/news/no-6-san-diego-state-favored-by-3-12-over-no-7-byu/san-diego-state-aztecs-logo-300x278>.
