Native American Indian Mascots - Research Paper Example

?Native American Indian Mascots A Mascot is an object thought to bring luck to a group, and includes anything used to unite people with similar public identity such as professional sports teams, militants, schools, or brand name. A mascot can be used fictitiously as a spokesperson to advertise products in the consumer world. However, the use of Mascots has received criticism from various people. In recent years, several organisations have called for a discontinued use of the Mascots. This paper discusses the history, importance, and use of American Indian mascots. One of Mascot’s intent is to honour American Indians (AIs). Despite great attempts to persuade schools and universities to discontinue use of mascots, studies show that at least 90 colleges and 1200 high schools in the US continue to use mascot images and logos, AI mascots remaining top ten. According to Steinfeldt and Strong as quoted in the academic research website, “One reason for the continued use of AI mascots is that advocates insist such symbols are intended to honour AIs,” Chaney, Burke and Buckley, (N.d, P. 44). However, history of use of mascots has faced criticism from opponents who argue that mascots do not offer fair representation of AIs. Despite these criticisms, the use of mascots among different schools and colleges has grown into a culture. Competing teams have continued to use different symbols and names associated with mascots in the belief that the use of mascots will be a way of honouring AIs. Most importantly, learning institutions find pride in using mascots as a cultural identity. It is worth noting that the history of use of mascots can be traced back to over 500 years ago. To fight the pains of discrimination based on race or ethnicity, no major league has dropped its American Indian name. The mascot “Red skins” which was declared by the Chicago tribune in an editorial as “Patently offensive” is equally still in use. According to Goldberg as quoted in sociology of sports journal “The team management defends this name as reflecting positive attributes of American Indian such as dedication, courage, and pride” (Sociology of sports Journal, 1998, P. 318). The management of sport leagues understands quite well the great role mascots have played in the eliminating discrimination in the world of sports, where many tribes and races are involved. The teams thus are proud to have overcome this via mascots, which unite both Americans and Indians. Debate about mascot issue has won media attention, gaining great favour as use of mascots is supported. Indian culture in Americans popular culture and consumer products contains many positive elements. This includes bravely, wisdom, spiritualism, and closeness to nature. Such positive attributes are shared by both Americans and the Indians and thus any mascot formed around these attributes is accepted as a norm. Even if it may depict some form of stereotyping, it serves the purpose of unifying the two groups. Studies by Kim-Prieto, Goldstein, Okasaki, and Kirschner (2010) demonstrated that non-AI college students were more likely to show a heightened tendency to stereotype other racial minority groups (i.e., Asian-Americans), than AI college students, Chaney, Burke and Buckley (N.d, P. 44). Historically, use of AI is given a higher meaning and trust. According to Florida States University (FSU) president, Whetherell states that “That they chose to go on record and formally re-affirm that they trust us to be good stewards of their name and traditions is humbling, we will continue to treat those traditions and Seminole with respect and honour” FSU(p.1). This was after Whetherell was invited for the very first time to the meeting of Seminole tribe of Florida’s tribal council, the tribes governing body. After scrutiny, it was found that besides use of Seminole at FSU, there were other 30 AIs already in use in the campus. Whetherell allowed use of Seminole and denoted that Florida Seminoles are unconquered, independent, and sovereign. Besides use of Seminoles, other developments such as use of logos and Seminole symbols for educational purposes followed. Haggard says, “The respect and admiration we have at FSU for Seminole tribe is boundless” (2005, p. 1) Holding on to mascots has enabled the Seminole community at FSU earn respect beyond measure. Data analysed from opinions of people for and against change of AI names have deferring results. In 1992, research done by Chilton Research Services covered the question whether Washington Redskins should change their name or not. In Washington alone, 1 out of 6 thought that the name should be changed, while 80% said the name should not be changed. The assumptions of the study were that support for the name change would be wide spread among young interviewees, women, the highly educated and minority groups who were expected to be more sensitive to stigmatisation. Football fans on the other hand, were expected to be more likely to resist the idea of a name change. The results indicated no significant differences in responses according to age, gender, or race. Other hypothesis, however, emerged in the survey where highly educated, members of minority groups and those who were not fans supported change of the name. The results show that the Redskins team has nothing to fear since public accepts their name, and would not have it changed. This survey adds to the advantages of having AIs. AIs Mascots have been accepted as the norm and few Americans and Indians are willing to change them. To have the will of the majority then, they have to remain. In conclusion, holding on to Mascots has advantages and disadvantages. First, sport leagues use mascots to unite the teams from different backgrounds and tribes. The team managers campaign for mascots to defeat discrimination against races and tribes. Great features in mascots, which are common to both Americans and Indians, unite them. Secondly, Mascots are used to earn respect and admiration from surroundings especially in colleges. Thirdly, Mascots are used to give honour to AIs who use them. Fourthly, Mascots depict courage and pride to the group using a certain mascot. Mascots are part of the American and Indian norms, which are hard to change since the public prefers them to other names. Therefore, mascots should remain. References Florida States University News, Florida State University thanks Seminoles for historic vote of support. Retrieved from http://www.fsu.edu/news/2005/06/17/seminole.support/ Sigelman, L. (1998). “Hail to Redskins? Public reactions to a Racially Insensitive Racial name.” Sociology Sports Journal. 15 (317-325) Chaney J., Burke A., and Buckley E. “Do Americans Indian Mascots= American Indian People? Examining Implicit Bias towards American Indian People and American Indian Mascots.” Centres for American Indian and Alaska Native. 18.1 Read More