Argumentative Essay On Indian Mascots

Pride or Prejudice In the United States, there are thousands, upon thousands of schools, sports teams, and organizations that all have one thing in common- an Indian mascot. Many schools have voluntarily abandoned Indian related nicknames in the last few years due to complaints on the mascot. There are still several schools and professional sports teams such as the Redskins, Indians, Apaches, and Chiefs. There is a question arising around the United States on whether using a Native American as a mascot is prideful or prejudice. The answer to this question is much too complex. Without a simple, clear cut answer, it is typical for an uproar of controversy to occur. Although several people in society, such as writer Barbara Munson, believe it is wrong to use Indian mascots and names for numerous reasons, others have argued against it. In Common Themes and Questions about the Use of “Indian” Logos, Munson writes, “Native people are saying that they don’t feel honored by this symbolism. We experience it as no less than mockery of our cultures” (Munson, 625). I understand

Nowhere in the definition does it say the purpose is to degrade a person, animal, or object. Selecting a group of people, such as Native Americans, as a mascot is not meant to despair respect- it is to represent the complete opposite. A mascot is chosen to be honored, show power, pride, and strength amongst a group. As written in Common Themes and Questions about the Use of “Indian” Logos, “In most cultures to receive an eagle feather is a great honor, and often such a feather also carries great responsibility” (Munson, 627). As a student of a school with an Indian mascot,, I know our teams represent responsibility on the field, stage, and in the classroom. We hold that pledge and honor by representing it through our Indian