Native Americans Being Used As Mascots. Do You Find This Offensive?

Some of the Native Americans Mascots are used for professional & university sports teams. Here are a few listed: Washington Redskins, Fighting Sioux, Chief Wahoo used for the Cleveland Indians.

The Washington Redskins mascot is used for a professional football team. This is from different Indian groups. People may find this mascot offensive because "Redskin" is used as a racial slur therefore perpetrates the dignity and respect of the Native Americans. Others actually believe that it is an honor and privilege to be used and seen all over the world as a mascot for this team. The former redskin owner (Jack Kent Cooke) believes that it is acknowledging the achievements made by Native Americans. (Web) In English class we had a "silent discussion" on various statements and questions about Native Americans. We discussed if we thought that Native Americans were here first and did we just "push" them off of there homeland. I believe that us Americans actually did barge in and caused Native Americans to leave America. Because of this situation I think they should feel honored to be used as mascots around the world because we're still giving them credit for everything they began. While many people think the ideal of using Native Americans as mascot is ignorant, others think its an honor, I can understand both. People all around the world, especially the Native Americans themselves are angered because they feel that they are the only ones being used as mascots. They think of it more as a racial issue, but with some that's different. You can't go around naming teams "The Negroes", "The Asians", or "The Jews" because this actually does portray racial slurs. The mascot names were chosen back in the 1920's to the 1950's. In this case the word "redskin" derived from the practice of skinning animals for easy transport when collecting bounty. The skins were used for reins, boots, belts, pouches, etc. Native Americans are not red but redskin comes from the bloody skin.

The Fighting Sioux is the mascot for an university hockey team in North Dakota. Sioux is basically another name for Native Americans and the First Nations people in North America. It can also refer to the dialect and language they use. A bill has been in effect to be passed to change the name of this team since the Native Americans are offended. I definitely agree with this because since "Sioux" is another name for the Natives language and dialect, how would African Americans feel if team mascots were pictures of people with very dark skin, kinky hair, illiterate, names like Negroes and bruises/scratches from past times like slavery? That wouldn't be amusing at all, it's disrespectful to the African American culture, their past, and it can even affect their future.



 The Cleveland Indians are a mascot used for a professional baseball team in Cleveland, Ohio. This mascot has changed over the years. When this mascot first came out it had big eyes, large nose, and a feather sticking out of his headband. The feather sticking out wasn't the most offensive part, but the fact that they are using the way Indians are made, was.







The Cleveland Indians mascot as known as Chief Wahoo, first came about in 1928. It was used for newspapers. A C (for Cleveland Indians) was very first used in 1958 and over time it progressed to become what it is now. This logo/mascot is actually not as offensive as others are because being used made Chief Wahoo make his appearance. (Web) When created he was never used for a race or color of people. He was simply used to be a portrayal of happiness, joy, and a smiling Angel to give the baseball team good luck. On another part people felt that the "brown skin" and the "redskin" of Chief Wahoo's face color was a racial depiction and that it could generate feelings of hatred towards Native Americans. What do you think? If you were in the same position would you feel the same as the Natives? (N.p., n.d. Web.)

Works Cited Page

"Change From Within." Change From Within. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2012. <http://changefromwithin.org/2010/12/10/redskins-sambos-and-whities-racism-in-sports-mascots/>.

"Washington Redskins Fight Song Gets Spanish Translation." Washington Redskins Fight Song Gets Spanish Translation. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2012. <http://ballertainment.com/2011/09/washington-redskins-fight-song-gets-spanish-translation/>.

"Chief Wahoo: Classic, Controversial | Getting Blanked | Blogs | TheScore.com." Chief Wahoo: Classic, Controversial | Getting Blanked | Blogs | TheScore.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2012. <http://blogs.thescore.com/mlb/2011/11/30/chief-wahoo-classic-controversial/>.

 "Controversial Logos: Chief Wahoo." Yahoo! Contributor Network. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2012. <http://voices.yahoo.com/controversial-logos-chief-wahoo-3520145.html>.