Lets go back in time to cheer a sports teams with crazy Indian chants, even if its totally unnecessary. After all, with ridiculous and offensive cartoon logos like Cleveland's “Chief Wahoo” how could we not. American have and still use team names that highlight ethnicity. Richard Estrada, in 1995, wrote a syndicated column for the Dallas Morning News titled “Sticks and Stones and Sports Team Names”, in it he argues that using names like the Redskins is wrong. I agree with Estrada, Using an ethnic group to represent a sports team is wrong.
Many owners of the teams had used the excuse that such names, like the Washington Redskins, where meant to be representing the pride and honor of Native Americans, when the reality is that they are dishonoring their culture for a sport. Sports teams shouldn't look for greatness just for representing Native Americans in their names and mascots, when they are actually butchering them. No one asked the Native Americans if they would get offended by such names, and sure they didn't go rioting around the streets feeling demoralized with how the white men slaughtered and made a ridicule of their culture. After all, if cursing the Indians with bad luck so they can be defeated in a game isn't disrespectful, then what is?
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Latinos and other groups would make a commotion of such action and make their voice be heard. As far as we know Native Americans aren’t going all out to change something as simple as a team name, but their discontent has been shown. As a Nation that values equality, we shouldn't let a very famous team get named Redskins, a slang and disrespectful word meaning Native
Teams in every sport, at every level of competition, have a mascot. It is the mascot that represents the competitive spirit and team identity, motivating players and fans alike. Does the symbol chosen have any impact on whether a team wins or loses? Unlikely. But the choice of a Native American mascot continues to ignite debate and controversy among athletes, fans and alumni, as well as those people who might otherwise be disinterested in sports. Utilizing an Indian mascot is nothing more than a veiled attempt at hate speech.
Team mascots that depict a certain type of group is wrong and should be changed. It is degrading and hurtful to far too many people to keep them from staying the same. Native Americans or any other race or ethnicity should not be stereotyped in a way that degrades them in any way. All teams that have mascots that are named after a certain race or ethnicity should be changed.
Mascots are beloved figure heads for sports teams everywhere almost every sport team has a mascot of some kind; that said, sometimes instead of bring people together it can cause a rift between two cultures. Such as Washington’s D.C.’s football team the “Redskins” often the word redskin was a derogatory word used against the Native Americans and while it may seem as though paying homage to the Native American community the overall stereotyped actions of the fans themselves as well as the sugarcoating of the previously racial slur has done little to bring the two cultures together and instead created a larger disconnect between white and Native American. The name Redskin should be retired and replaced so that rather
Joel Thorman of Arrowhead Pride states, “There’s really no argument that the name Chiefs is offensive. The same goes for Braves and even Indians (Thorman).” The main difference between the name ‘Chiefs’ and ‘Redskins’ is that ‘Chiefs’ is not considered to be slang directed towards Native Americans, while ‘Redskins’ is considered a racial term. Plus, the Chiefs have been silent on the issue and probably will stay silent till the the whole debate dies down. Even if the Chiefs do make a stand against groups wanting franchises to change their names, the team will have support from almost the entire organization’s fans. Therefore, athletic teams with controversial mascots and symbols should not have to change their names.
In a generation focused on social justice and the elimination of prejudice from our society, there is still a use of offensive language and terminology in the area of professional sports. In “The Indian Wars” by S. L. Price, Price attempts to make the reader aware of sports teams that use derogatory terms as their team name and their mascot. He does this by highlighting football, and trying to determine whether Native-Americans are offended by team names in sports, or more specifically, the Redskins. Price’s essay is ineffective because although he raises good points, he doesn’t help the reader to form an opinion by adding historical context to the derogatory names used. He also uses inaccurate poll results to make assumptions about the feelings
The debate is divided into two sides. Those opposed to the use of Redskins and all Native American names in sports, and perceive the use of such terms and imagery as racist and derogatory towards Native Americans and those for keeping the name who cite the history of the team, its links to Native American players and coaches who were part of the team when it was create...
Native Americans are trying to take that next step. For the past 100 years Americans have stolen their sacred names and used them for mascots of high school, college, and professional sports teams. The National Education Association is one of the first to step to the plate by passing, Article I-41, which advises use of Prejudicial Terms and Symbols "The National Education Association deplores prejudice based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, size, marital status, or economic status and rejects the use of names, symbols, caricatures, emblems, logos, and mascots that promote such prejudice. (92,94)" By having these practices they believe the rights of Native Americans are protected. Native American Mascots in sports need to change to protect and uphold the rights that are granted to them from the constitution.
The idea of having a Native American as a mascot seems respectful to the tribe and a way to honor the people who arrived to this country first. Many people find it racist and derogatory to call teams by these names, while
The imbalance between public and private school sports teams does not need to be adjusted. Private schools are offering an extra service that public schools cannot offer. That service is better teachers all the way to better coaches. There are no rules on how they can raise money for their athletic programs unlike public schools. Because of the athletic success more student athletes want to go to the private schools. Which in turn gives the student athletic a better opportunity to be recruited. No the private schools do not need to be adjusted public schools need to improve their outlook on athletics.
Should the Washington Redskins change their name was a major question that came up during much of 2014, 2015 and 2016 NFL season. In fact the issue was so large that the U.S. Supreme court was even involved at the time. Having discussed this topic many times with friends, adults and teacher I have been told that I don’t really have much of a say in this matter for I was born into “The Lucky Gene Pool” and don’t know what it's like to be discriminated against. Being a middle class white boy living in a very nice town and going to a very nice school I can easily see that this statement is true, I have never been shouted at with racial slurs, given a dirty look because of my skin color or frightened mere strangers because of my ethnicity. So before I proceed I would like to say that I don’t mean to offend anybody and ruffle any feathers, I am only speaking out about this topic because my opinion on whether the Redskins should change their name or not comes from me simply being an avid Washington Redskins fan.
Today in America the word Racism is taken to a whole new level. Even in sports, such as the NFL racism prospers. For instance the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. Native Americans are trying to say the NFL is being rude for naming a Team Redskins. The Redskins have had that name since 1933 (Staff). The team had the name of Braves before they adopted the name Redskins. It was changed due to racism purposes. Some people would agree that the whole situation with Redskins is ridiculous because The Major League Baseball series has two teams related to Native Americans, The Atlanta Braves and The Cleveland Indians. The NFL also has more than just Redskins. They have the Kansas City Chiefs. So if they are really worried about total racism why isn’t the Chiefs in on this conversation?
Redskins, a name of honor or dishonor? There has been controversy that involves the name and logo a National Football League (NFL) team named the Washington Redskins. Many people believe the use of Native American names and symbols by non-native sports teams, is a detrimental form of ethnic stereotyping. President Barack Obama discussed issues of culture and professional football on an interview with the Associated Press (AP), stating that the Washington Redskins football team should consider a new name. In response, Lanny Davis, an attorney for the Redskins, argued that President Obama is not aware polls taken in 2004 and 2013 that reveal Native Americans weren’t bothered by the name “Washington Redskins”. Although President Barack Obama and
Putting Indians on a helmet shows how America “owns” them. “Not only do Indians have to deal with the fallout of being ‘conquered’ people...the shame of being men who descended from those unable to protect our women...the shame of being women who descended from those raped and tortured…” but they also have to deal with being reminded of the events that happened in the past. Constantly being reminded of these events is disrespectful and torture. In the past, the Indians were helpless against the pilgrims and were unable to do anything to protect their people. Since the name of the mascot is broadcasted visually, Redskins just reminds them that they were owned and still remain to be. Just like corporate America copyrighting their inventions, in Dan Snyder’s position in his letter to the Washington Redskins fans, he continues to want to “own” the name Redskins. Snyder’s action of keeping the team name shows his power of “sustain[ing] long term success if this franchise.” American Indians are being disrespected in this manner by being seen as a franchise instead of a group of people. Especially since such a big issue like this is just for a sports game, it is demeaning for American Indian’s
Redskins, Seminoles, Tribe, Indians, what do they all have in common? They are all athletic team names under scrutiny by people who deem them as being racist. For years, people have argued over the fact that these names and/or mascots are being used in a negative way. Some have been changed while others are still being argued over. Teams with these mascots should not be forced to change their names because the majority of Native Americans are not even bothered by these sports names.
Athletes who play football share the same goal as athletes who play soccer: score the most goals to win the game. In football, there are two areas on opposite sides of the field where one can score points by bringing the football over the goal line. Soccer shares this same concept by having two nets on opposite sides of the field where one can score a point by kicking the soccer ball into the net. Also, both sports share the concept of having an offense and defense, and both sports each have eleven players on a team on the field at a time. These are only few of many similarities between these two sports, but in actuality, they are significantly different. The rules, rituals, and concepts of both sports distinguish themselves from each other.