Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Native American Mascots

JR
10/28/14
Native American Mascots
The Native American mascot has been used in sports for years, from tribe names to nicknames such as Redskins. Recently there has been a push to rid sports of these team names because they are considered to be disrespectful and even racist. In the end what Americans think of the names really does not matter, the Native Americans have the last say in whether a name is offensive, or racist.
Since 1970 23 teams have dropped either Native American mascots, or their team name, some both. These teams include Oklahoma University, Marquette University, Syracuse University, along with others. Central Michigan University has kept its name, the Chippewas, but have dropped their mascot in favor of not having one at all. Utah University has also kept its name, the Utes, but have replaced it instead with a Red-Tailed Hawk. Knowing how their mascots made some people, most importantly Native Americans, feel they have opted to drop their names and mascots out of respect.
The Florida State Seminoles have been able to keep their name and mascot with very little controversy during a time when a team like the Washington Redskins have been under constant pressure by many to change their name. The Seminoles have been able to stay controversy because they are have gained the backing of the Florida Seminole tribe. “We the Seminoles embrace that mascot,” Chief James Billie, Tribe Chairman. “They honor us,” Chief Billie. The support of the tribe has allowed the team to avoid the controversy that can come with having a Native American mascot. The school does not take the tribe’s endorsement for granted, in fact they considered changing the name until the tribe endorsed the name in meetings. “Had Chief Billie and his leadership gone in another direction we might have changed it,” Dale W. Lick. The school greatly appreciates the tribes support of the name, they offer scholarships and cut-rates to Native Americans. They have even allowed the tribe to help with the famous pre game ritual, the tribe altered Osceola’s make-up and clothing to make it more authentic.
Florida State University Pregame ritual.
http://cdn.breitbart.com/mediaserver/Breitbart/Breitbart-Sports/2014/01/08/Florida%20State%20Seminole.jpg
The tribe is considered a second family with the school and team. They attend school events such as Homecoming, graduation, and other school events including football games. Other Seminole tribes such as the Oklahoma Seminole tribe do not endorse the name, “We tell them to go back to their own territory,” Chief Bille. “As far as I’m concerned that mascot will be here forever,” Chief Billie. The backing of the mascot is crucial to the mascot surviving through these controversial times when teams such as the Washington Redskins are facing monumental pressure to change the team name.
Disparaging, offensive, these are words that are used to define the term Redskin. The nickname Redskin is a racist name considered by some to be equal to the N-word. The Washington Redskins are under an incredible amount of pressure to change their team name. The reason they face more pressure than other teams with Native American mascots is because where other teams are named after tribes, such as the Florida State Seminoles, or positive nicknames, Atlanta Braves, is because the name Redskin is a racist term. On June 18, 2014 the TTAB of USPTO again voted to cancel the Redskins federal trademark registrations, considering them “disparaging to Native Americans” . Co-Star of ESPN’s First Take, Skip Bayless says the name is, “Blatantly racist,” and that “there is no pride, to me, in the nickname Redskins.” There are 23 Native American tribes along with 50 groups that represent tribes that officially want the name changed. “If I were the owner of the team and I knew that there was a name of my team - even if it had a storied history - that was offending a sizeable group of people, I’d think about changing it,” President Obama. Along with the enormous group of people against the name there is a sizeable amount of people who support the name. The majority of the fans, which include some Native Americans, have great pride and support for the name. In 2004 90% of people said the name did not bother them, that number dropped in 2014 when only 60% said they supported the name. Two SportsNation  polls also provide some evidence. When asked: Should Redskins change their name? 78% said No. When asked: Will the Redskins change
their name in your lifetime? 62% said No. Perhaps the most vocal and outspoken supporter of the name has been team owner, Dan Snyder. “... the name really means honor, respect.” Dan Snyder. When asked: What is a Redskin, Snyder replied, “A Redskin is a football player. A Redskin is our fans.” When asked if he would ever change team name, “We will never change the name. Its that simple. NEVER. You can use caps,” Dan Snyder.
The issue of the use of Native American mascots is highly controversial, and may soon be resolved. The names are on a fast track out as pressure mounts up on them. Teams like Florida State have no worries because they are backed by the tribe they represent, whereas the Redskins and other teams do not have the same luxury. It is not what the teams, or fans think of these names, it is the Native Americans, the people being represented think of these names. Other people cannot determine what is offensive to them, if the Native Americans find it offensive it is for no one else to say that it is not. It is their opinion that matters.







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