In American sports, it has been
very common to use Native American depictions as mascots or team names. The
Washington Redskins, The Cleveland Indians, and the Atlanta Braves are just a
few of the numerous organizations “honoring” Native American people by
misrepresenting their ancestral culture and perpetuating stereotypes. Many have
changed their names and logos to avoid any further offense but some remain with
a steadfast mantra claiming their mascot and team name continues the grand
legacy of the Native American.
As Wikepedia so eloquently states
on it’s Native American Mascot Controversy
page, “Many individuals admire the
heroism and romanticism evoked by the classic Native American image”. The idea
of the “Noble Savage” has been present within Euro-centric viewpoints since
early colonialism and the mysticism attributed to these “savages” perpetuate
the idea that a culturally inaccurate representation along with a racial slur
is a tribute to their former greatness. User SD12 comments on a forum on debate.org “A Native
American mascot doesn't "mock" Native Americans any more than a tiger
mascot "mocks" animals… You know what's really "offensive?"
A small group of people believing that an entire society should cater to their
"feelings" no matter how irrational they may be.” If that
isn’t colorblind racism as defined by Bonilla-Silva, I don’t know what is. I,
(as a presumably white person) am capable of dictating how you feel. It cant
possibly be offensive because I am complimenting how great you all were (before
we screwed you out of land deals, forcibly held your children in schools
designed to demolish any Indian cultural heritage, forcefully relocated your
people, etc) and these white college students pantomiming a “Tomahawk Chop” are
bringing honor to your horribly marginalized people.
While the majority of supporters
surrounding the usage of Native American mascots practice minimization of
racism, there are some that do recognize the questionable nature of the
depictions. When the Cleveland Indians moved their spring training to Arizona, the
state containing the third largest population of Native Americans, the Chief
Wahoo logo was notably absent from the stadium and all merchandise (Cleveland.com/mlb).
It is almost as if many agree the logo is not totally acceptable and really is
only okay so long as large concentrations of Native Americans aren’t there to
see it, as in Ohio. Why aren’t there large concentrations of Native Americans
to see the logo in Cleveland? Oh yeah, colonizing Europeans committed (still
unacknowledged) ethnic cleansing and genocide of those inhabiting the area,
forcing Native Americans onto reservations in the most inhospitable areas of
the nation. But having opposing teams threaten to “Scalp the Indians!” and the
allowance of a white man bouncing around the field in an attempt to emulate
sacred dances is definitely honoring the suffering of these majestic peoples.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/thesamizdat/6990868896/
chief wahoo/little black sambo
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