Off-color mascots not quite an honor
S.P. Sullivan, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Editorial / Opinion
There are no sports teams called "The Long Island Heebs" or "The New Jersey WOPs." If someone started a basketball franchise named "The Alabama Darkies" Al Sharpton's head would explode.
Why, then, do schools in the United States - from elementary right on through college - continue to mock Native Americans via their mascots?
Don't roll your eyes just yet.
I am a fan of all things politically incorrect. I would love to go to New Jersey WOPs games; I'd even buy season tickets. But I know that I am not the litmus test for what's socially acceptable.
I also know the importance of playing fair. If the aforementioned don't make acceptable team names, then names like Redskins and Redmen ought to get the boot post-haste.
The Boston Globe reported this week that the School Committee for the town of Natick, Mass. voted last year to change the name of the town's sports team to something a little less 17th century than "Redmen." But a vocal group of community members challenged the move, and the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 this week to put the question to a non-binding public referendum.
This issue hits pretty close to home. Until 1972, our beloved Minutemen were known as the Redmen. The University learned the error of its ways, though; over thirty years before other institutions got the memo.
There have been myriad controversies over the use of Indian epithets by sports teams. Resistance to Native-inspired mascots began in the 1960s, and came to a head in 2005 when the NCAA passed a ban on offensive team names. Some names refer to specific Native nations, such as Seminoles or Choctaws, rendering them less offensive. However, names like Braves and Warriors are questionable, and Savages and Redmen are just downright laughable.
Defenders of the use of these names claim that they "honor" indigenous peoples. I don't know if I buy it - but it's plausible. Some of the worst enemies of Native Americans throughout history have considered themselves to be acting in Natives' best interest. Don't believe me? Google "Dawes Act."
Why, then, do schools in the United States - from elementary right on through college - continue to mock Native Americans via their mascots?
Don't roll your eyes just yet.
I am a fan of all things politically incorrect. I would love to go to New Jersey WOPs games; I'd even buy season tickets. But I know that I am not the litmus test for what's socially acceptable.
I also know the importance of playing fair. If the aforementioned don't make acceptable team names, then names like Redskins and Redmen ought to get the boot post-haste.
The Boston Globe reported this week that the School Committee for the town of Natick, Mass. voted last year to change the name of the town's sports team to something a little less 17th century than "Redmen." But a vocal group of community members challenged the move, and the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 this week to put the question to a non-binding public referendum.
This issue hits pretty close to home. Until 1972, our beloved Minutemen were known as the Redmen. The University learned the error of its ways, though; over thirty years before other institutions got the memo.
There have been myriad controversies over the use of Indian epithets by sports teams. Resistance to Native-inspired mascots began in the 1960s, and came to a head in 2005 when the NCAA passed a ban on offensive team names. Some names refer to specific Native nations, such as Seminoles or Choctaws, rendering them less offensive. However, names like Braves and Warriors are questionable, and Savages and Redmen are just downright laughable.
Defenders of the use of these names claim that they "honor" indigenous peoples. I don't know if I buy it - but it's plausible. Some of the worst enemies of Native Americans throughout history have considered themselves to be acting in Natives' best interest. Don't believe me? Google "Dawes Act."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
dylan croft
posted 3/03/08 @ 12:01 PM EST
i also enjoy pollitically un correct names, jokes, etc... like go ahead and make fun of me cus im a fat discusting raceist pig who has uh oh feelings about my sister. (Continued…)
Salacious Crumb
posted 3/03/08 @ 3:33 PM EST
Dear Dylan,
What on earth are you talking about?
Pronative
posted 3/09/08 @ 8:18 PM EST
There is no honor in mainstream America that is accepted by Native Americans. These nickname and mascot supporters are fooling themselves by claiming this notion. (Continued…)
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