English 9

Argumentative Essay: Native American mascots a source of pride and honor for Native Americans

Ben Tyler

Ms. Lichty

Final Draft

2 November 2021

There Should Continue to be Native American Mascots

Mascots have been a pillar of fun and a unifying symbol to sports like baseball, basketball, and football. Players and fans are able to be more enthusiastic and to show their team pride with a mascot. Today there have been heated discussions on whether sports should continue having Native American Mascots for teams. We should continue to have Native American Mascots for sports teams because it will show their history, how we honor them, and so sports teams don’t have to change their team identity.

There have been many intense debates over the past years but they may not have as much backup as you think. A poll by the University Record found 1,000 Natives thought about the Native American mascot debate. “The results run contrary to polls reported by national news outlets, which suggest that as few as 10 percent of native peoples are offended by such mascots and, specifically, the Redskins team name.”(The University Record) This shows that 90% of Native people are not offended by mascots and team names. Native American mascots have the idea of showing the Natives history, but some Natives don’t believe that and find it offensive. Native Americans take the names of strong and honorable animals and imitate them. “...it is somewhat mystifying that a few spokesmen for the Native American community appear to have missed the pattern wherein individuals or groups take the name of something they value and wish to emulate. Doing so is common in the history of Native Americans themselves.” (Startribune) This spurs the question, why can’t non-natives do the same.

The usage of the Native mascots isn’t in pity or in evil as you may think, but as a way of honoring them. We want to show the important characteristics of Native people. “Non-Indians seek to emulate the strength, determination and spirit associated with “braves” and the like.”(Startribune) We try to honor them in the best way possible by using those traits. As we observe the thought of showing how we take the imagery of American Natives we can also see how they do the same way for animals. “Non-Indians use imagery for exactly the same reasons Indians use animal imagery for given names. Are the spirits of bears, eagles, elk or buffalo dishonored or belittled and degraded by Native American names? Of course not.” (Startribune) We don’t want to shame or undervalue the Natives. They preserved the country and it wouldn’t be what it is now without them. We want to manifest their greatest spirits in mascots

Mascot’s are used to represent a team and we adore team mascots. “In general usage as well as in the dictionary, “mascot” carries only the sense of something desirable, something to be cherished, to be held in affection. If the beholder sees the representation and enthusiasm of the mascot as undesirable, that is more a measure of the beholder’s failure to understand than a measure of reality.”(Startribune) This shows that having a mascot represent a Native American or a Native American idea that we are cherishing them and honoring them for all they have done. Not just mascots have a Native American representation, but also some “names such as Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves, the National Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs, or the college football powerhouse Florida State Seminoles.” (National Geographic) All these team names are meant to sing praises of bravery and courage for the Native Americans.

Native American Imagery in mascots and team names can be dishonoring them if used in the wrong connotation, but if there are no negative ideas or views on them then it shouldn’t be taken as being racist and not respecting their culture. We are focusing on just non-natives making native american imagery in mascots but we are not looking at the flipside. Native Americans have been doing the same imagery in animals like eagles, and bears by imitating them. “Is Indian mimicry of wolves, eagles, bears, buffalo, etc., essentially any different?” The Native Americans are doing the same thing they don’t want non-natives to do about them.

Mascots have been a pillar of fun and a unifying symbol to sports. We can continue supporting our favorite teams, but with respect and not hate. In conclusion Native American mascots should continue to represent teams in a positive way to continue the fun of the game and the experience of the fans further into the future.

Work Cited:

Lavoie, Louis. “Opinion Exchange: Team Names: Why Take Offense Where None Is Intended?” Star Tribune, Star Tribune, 1 Nov. 2014, https://www.startribune.com/team-names-why-take-offense-where-none-is-intended/281141912/.

Morris, Phillip. “Will U.S. Schools Follow the Big Leagues and Leave behind Native American Mascots?” History, National Geographic, 9 Sept. 2021, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/will-us-schools-follow-the-big-leagues-and-leave-behind-native-american-mascots.

Wadly, Jared. “Native American Mascots, Names, Chants: More Offensive than Previously Reported.” University of Michigan News, 4 Feb. 2020, https://news.umich.edu/native-american-mascots-names-chants-more-offensive-than-previously-reported/.

Reflection:

During this essay project i learned many things to enhance my writing skills. These things include proper explanations and analysis's, as well and a work sited page and good closing conclusion. This essay also helped me get closer to the 6 C's graduate profile, mostly being cultural competent. We needed to research about Native Americans and their thoughts on the topics which helped my growth for the 6 C's