Pros And Cons Of Using Native American Mascots

“ Despite good intentions and best efforts, the stereotyping of native americans into narrow images is an undeniable consequence of choosing such names and images”( Bernard Franklin).

People are using native americans as mascots. This is problematic, because they are dehumanizing, use derogatory, racist terms, and impair race relations. This is easily fixable, and I don’t understand why it hasn’t been already. The solution? Stop using native americans as mascots.

Using a group of people as a mascot makes them seem more like an object than what they are… people. ”Using Indian mascots causes Native Americans to feel that sports teams are making a mockery of their way of life and marginalizing the way they were treated by white settlers (sara ipatenco),” they were treated terribly when we

”[it] Is a form of discrimination against American Indian Nations that can lead to negative relations between groups (American Psychological Association).” One of these negative relations are undermining a native person’s, or any other minority’s, education. This isn’t uncommon. Another issue is that this presents is an unwelcoming hostile learning environment for young people because of the stereotypes they have thrown at them every day. ”The symbols, images and mascots teach non-Indian children that it's acceptable to participate in culturally abusive behavior and perpetuate inaccurate misconceptions about American Indian culture(American Psychological Association).” This is bad in places outside of schools, such as workplaces. Imagine being paid less for doing a harder job, being forced to sit and eat outside of the faculty room because, your “co-workers” won’t stop asking you stupid, racist questions about “your culture”, and using racial slurs about you behind your back. This is an everyday struggle you’d have to deal with. The fact that they can’t feel completely safe isn’t fair, it isn’t