Native American Mascots Should be Banned

The sun beat down upon the pale skin of the crowd as a consistent murmur echoed across the field. Hands simultaneously lifted and then dropped, repeatedly, while every eye gazed with intent upon the figure who stood alone on the grass in the center of the field. He had a glowing red face, an oversized nose, and a red and white feather that pointed to the sky. As the chant continued to resonate, the figure began to dance to the soft harmony of an organ. His nose humorously bounced up and down while the stupid grin on his face never seemed to dissipate. Those who looked upon the sight of the dancing figure smiled back at him and wondered where the hot dog vendor had gone. It was the seventh inning stretch at a Cleveland Indians baseball game and the crowd, in a somewhat inebriated state, cheered wildly at the team’s mascot.

This mascot was not a bull or a bronco, or a giant or a jet, but rather, in my view, was a mean-spirited stereotype of a proud and noble people. In this age of political correctness, what minority in this country would allow itself to be portrayed in such a demeaning manner? African-Americans, as well as other minorities who have a strong political voice in this country, would not tolerate such behavior and would take immediate action to remedy such an egregious offense. The question that must be asked then is why do we as a society quietly permit such conduct, disrespectful and hurtful to Native Americans, to continue without taking any affirmative action to curtail it?

The answer to this question stirs up underlying issues which we must confront as a society. If the United States continues to dishonor the Native Americans, such actions will not only inhibit the equality that Native Americans deserve, bu...

... middle of paper ...

...playoff game, then there could be a headline that read: “Africans beat Poles” (Royko, 3). Continuous bombardment of such headlines would undoubtedly give rise to serious ethnic and racial conflict. After a few years of mascots dressed as rabbis or priests and logos of bagels and spaghetti, would American society still wonder why Native Americans are so upset when they look at a newspaper that reads “Yankees crushed Indians”?

Works Cited

Buchbaum, Herbert. “Mascots” Scholastic, (February 10,1995).

Fletcher, Michael A. “Crazy Horse Again Sounds Battle Cry” Washington Post, Section A (February 18, 1997).

Reddick, Tracie. “Indian Mascot Debate Brewing,” The Tampa Tribune, Section Metro (September 15, 1997).

Royko, Mike. Chicago Tribune, Section 1 (March 17,1989).

Wright, Ronald. Stolen Continents. Houghton Muffin Company, New York, March 1992.