Eliana Ritt
Honorable or Heinous?
Honorable, historical, and humble: these are all words that can be used to describe the Native Americans and their rich and fascinating culture. When we talk about Native Americans, we often talk about their struggles throughout history. Recently, there has been a new struggle with the Native Americans involving controversy of whether or not the mascots used for sports teams are offensive. Emotions and opinions tend to influence mankind more than reason, but throughout all of the attention covering this social issue, it is clear that the Native American mascots in the sports industry are offensive.
Throughout all of the atrocities and hardships that were brought upon the Native Americans during history, …show more content…
Sadly, a large percent of the Native American population succumbs to alcoholism, and fall into depression as well. "1-in-10, or nearly 12% of Native American deaths are alcohol-related" (Alcoholism Among Native Americans). Native Americans also have the "second highest suicide rate" in the United States (Suicide Statistics). Depicting Native Americans as a characters or mascots is harmful and can "affect how the young view themselves" (Anastasia 20). Sadly, when a young child sees this image of the offensive mascot, they look down upon themselves and feel that everyone has a "limited view" on themselves and their culture (Anastasia 20). The Native Americans mascots are often depicted as a redskin, with streaks of war paint across their faces, wearing a headdress, or with feathers in their hair. This group of people are reduced to images of red skinned Indian chief. These representations are typical stereotypes of Native Americans and are insulting and disrespectful to them and their …show more content…
N.p., 31 Mar. 2010. Web. 25 Feb.
2016.
Anastasia, Laura. "Are Native American Mascots Racist?" Junior Scholastic 1 Sept. 2014: 20-
21. Print.
"Facts, information and articles about Indian Removal Act, from American History." HistoryNet.
N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.
"Indian Country Demographics Content." National Congress of American Indians. National
Congress of American Indians, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.
Simon, Roger. "The Chinks ' Nickname: It 's not PC, it 's decency." The Baltimore Sun. N.p., 5
Dec. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.
"Suicide Statistics." Emory University. Emory University, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.
Waldron, Travis. "Federal Judge Delivers Another Legal Blow To 'Redskins ' Team Name."
Huffpost Sports. N.p., 8 July 2015. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.
Zirin, Dave. "The Florida State Seminoles: The Champions of Racist Mascots." The Nation.
N.p., 7 Jan. 2014. Web. 25 Feb.
Honorable or Heinous?
Honorable, historical, and humble: these are all words that can be used to describe the Native Americans and their rich and fascinating culture. When we talk about Native Americans, we often talk about their struggles throughout history. Recently, there has been a new struggle with the Native Americans involving controversy of whether or not the mascots used for sports teams are offensive. Emotions and opinions tend to influence mankind more than reason, but throughout all of the attention covering this social issue, it is clear that the Native American mascots in the sports industry are offensive.
Throughout all of the atrocities and hardships that were brought upon the Native Americans during history, …show more content…
Sadly, a large percent of the Native American population succumbs to alcoholism, and fall into depression as well. "1-in-10, or nearly 12% of Native American deaths are alcohol-related" (Alcoholism Among Native Americans). Native Americans also have the "second highest suicide rate" in the United States (Suicide Statistics). Depicting Native Americans as a characters or mascots is harmful and can "affect how the young view themselves" (Anastasia 20). Sadly, when a young child sees this image of the offensive mascot, they look down upon themselves and feel that everyone has a "limited view" on themselves and their culture (Anastasia 20). The Native Americans mascots are often depicted as a redskin, with streaks of war paint across their faces, wearing a headdress, or with feathers in their hair. This group of people are reduced to images of red skinned Indian chief. These representations are typical stereotypes of Native Americans and are insulting and disrespectful to them and their …show more content…
N.p., 31 Mar. 2010. Web. 25 Feb.
2016.
Anastasia, Laura. "Are Native American Mascots Racist?" Junior Scholastic 1 Sept. 2014: 20-
21. Print.
"Facts, information and articles about Indian Removal Act, from American History." HistoryNet.
N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.
"Indian Country Demographics Content." National Congress of American Indians. National
Congress of American Indians, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.
Simon, Roger. "The Chinks ' Nickname: It 's not PC, it 's decency." The Baltimore Sun. N.p., 5
Dec. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.
"Suicide Statistics." Emory University. Emory University, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.
Waldron, Travis. "Federal Judge Delivers Another Legal Blow To 'Redskins ' Team Name."
Huffpost Sports. N.p., 8 July 2015. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.
Zirin, Dave. "The Florida State Seminoles: The Champions of Racist Mascots." The Nation.
N.p., 7 Jan. 2014. Web. 25 Feb.