Race-Based Mascots Fit In America

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Lisa Chavez Alana Brussin English 102 24 September 2015 Where Race-based Mascots Fit in America Chink, wetback, nigger, honky; all of these words have been deemed racist by their respective races and therefore, are rarely used in a neutral sense. However America has vastly overlooked the racist nature of the word “redskins”; making it the name for the football team located in the Nation’s capital. In recent years, Native Americans have gained traction in the fight against the team’s name, yet many non-natives claim they are honoring the culture and heritage. Even President Obama suggested a call for change, mentioning that if it offended a large group of people, that the team should consider retiring the name (Sappenfield). The term “redskins” is racist because it perpetuates stereotypes, and was first coined as an inaccurate, demeaning way to describe the first people of what is now America. …show more content…

It clearly describes Native Americans as wicked when first used. In another 19th century document, it is stating the likely outcome should the Native Americans attempt to fight for their land. “Their fears are, that, should the Indians arise, the settlers will arm themselves and wipe the Red Skins out of existence before the ‘noble red’ man can be protected by Uncle Sam’s Bluecoats,” (Sanders). This not only speaks about Natives in a negative way, it also mentions their genocide and dehumanizes them much like “nigger” has to African Americans

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