In the article “Racism American Style and Resistance to Change: Art Education’s Role in the Indian Mascot Issue,” art educator Elizabeth M. Delacruz attempts to find an explanation for the popularity of Indian mascots by selecting cases and examining the history of the issue. She states 1500 public schools in the United States use Indian mascots. While these schools continue to represent their mascots, the disturbing past of public schools’ early development of the Indian mascots hides behind closed doors. In the 1920s, Indian mascots were developed by White schools in conjunction with practices emanating from Indian Boarding Schools. Children were removed from their homes and incarcerated into American schools to learn American culture. In
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Grose informs readers about the psychological impact of racial stereotypes and Indian mascots on Native Americans, while also exploring court cases involving teams with Indian mascots. Grose says many people argue that sport team names like the Redskins, Indians, and Warriors do not harm anyone. However, those names do affect Native American children’s self esteem and well-being. In 2005, the American Psychological Association, APA, made several conclusions on the issues, which state “the continued use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities undermines the educational experiences of members of all communities - especially those who have had little contact with Indigenous people.” The APA also includes the unwelcome and hostile learning environments American Indians experience due to the images and stereotypes that are promoted in society. The APA proves how Indian mascots and names have a negative effect on Native Americans while also noting it is a violation against their civil rights. Grose states the Supreme Court had a chance to resolve the racial issues involving team names and mascots, but they turned down the opportunity for change in 2009 in the Harjo v. Pro-Football, Incorporative case. The case involved Native Americans arguing that the name of the Washington Redskins football …show more content…
Throughout my 15 years of education, I was never educated about the issues Native Americans face. After I read the two influential articles, I began to open my eyes to an issue greater than myself. My ancestors were Cherokee Indian and to think about the racism they experienced is sickening. The fact that it is the 21st century and Native Americans are still fighting for equal rights is even more disturbing. I do not know how the Harjo court case in 2009 lost the battle to change the Washington Redskins’ logo. Clearly, the term redskins in extremely offensive to Native Americans. Textbooks from the early 1900s use the term in racist ways. I tried considering both sides of the case, but it is impossible to think a National Football team has more power over an entire race. Fortunately, all beginnings have an ending and I hope to be the generation that ends all racial jokes, mascots, signs, and names against Native
Grose informs readers about the psychological impact of racial stereotypes and Indian mascots on Native Americans, while also exploring court cases involving teams with Indian mascots. Grose says many people argue that sport team names like the Redskins, Indians, and Warriors do not harm anyone. However, those names do affect Native American children’s self esteem and well-being. In 2005, the American Psychological Association, APA, made several conclusions on the issues, which state “the continued use of American Indian mascots, symbols, images, and personalities undermines the educational experiences of members of all communities - especially those who have had little contact with Indigenous people.” The APA also includes the unwelcome and hostile learning environments American Indians experience due to the images and stereotypes that are promoted in society. The APA proves how Indian mascots and names have a negative effect on Native Americans while also noting it is a violation against their civil rights. Grose states the Supreme Court had a chance to resolve the racial issues involving team names and mascots, but they turned down the opportunity for change in 2009 in the Harjo v. Pro-Football, Incorporative case. The case involved Native Americans arguing that the name of the Washington Redskins football …show more content…
Throughout my 15 years of education, I was never educated about the issues Native Americans face. After I read the two influential articles, I began to open my eyes to an issue greater than myself. My ancestors were Cherokee Indian and to think about the racism they experienced is sickening. The fact that it is the 21st century and Native Americans are still fighting for equal rights is even more disturbing. I do not know how the Harjo court case in 2009 lost the battle to change the Washington Redskins’ logo. Clearly, the term redskins in extremely offensive to Native Americans. Textbooks from the early 1900s use the term in racist ways. I tried considering both sides of the case, but it is impossible to think a National Football team has more power over an entire race. Fortunately, all beginnings have an ending and I hope to be the generation that ends all racial jokes, mascots, signs, and names against Native