For this assignment we were instructed to write a five paragraph argumentative essay on our opinion of weather or not it is acceptable for sports teams to have Native American mascots names or logos.
Hayden Cordero
Mrs. Muñoz-Matheny
English 9, Period 7
4 November 2019
Mascot Controversy and Sports Teams
The use of Native American mascots is racist to Native Americans because some Natives are offended by the mascots and names, nicknames have rude stereotypical meanings, and there is a very dark history behind them.
First, Native Americans and other people are offended by the use of the mascots and the derogatory names. One example of this is people being offended by the Cleveland Indians name and mascot. The team lost their mascot in 2019 after controversy broke out about whether it was offensive or not. “Starting in 2019, the mascot is coming off the team's jersey sleeves and caps. The move will end Chief Wahoo's presence on the field.” (Associated Press, adapted by Newsela) There are many people including Natives that are starting movements against the use of mascots. An example of this is Sterling HolyWhiteMountain. He is an American Indian who lives in the Blackfeet Reservation and is against the use of Native American mascots and names. He is against the unfair stereotyping that teams use in their logos. “Even if we have difficulty admitting it, we're aware that Indian people come in all shapes, sizes, colors and attitudes” (Sterling HolyWhiteMountain). It is unfair to refer to them as redskins or have logos with red skin and feathers when most Natives don’t like being referred to in that way.
Second, sports teams with Native American mascots have rude stereotypical nicknames and mascots. The Washington Redskins name is offensive and stereotypical because their team name refers to Native Americans as having red skin. Their logo also shows a Native American with red skin. “Our city’s team remains the most prominent of holdouts and with the most racially offensive of native nicknames” (Blackistone). The Redskins name is just one of the offensive nicknames that teams have. Another example is the Napa High Indians. Their mascot was changed after controversy about their stereotypical logo. “The fate of the Napa High School Indian was finally decided Thursday night at a special meeting of the Napa Valley Unified School District Board of Education, with trustees voting unanimously to change the school’s longtime symbol and name after a year of community debate on the issue”( Brinkerhoff). Their logo depicts a Native American style spear which is an example of the stereotype that Native Americans are violent.
Last, there is a very dark history behind some of the names and images used for the mascots. For example redskins was used as a derogatory term for Natives. “The scars are still open,” (Blackhourse). She is saying that just because the term isn't typically used in a derogatory way anymore doesn't mean it's not still offensive. It is not fair to stereotype indians with these names. A napa high school with the name warriors changed their name “It is time to move forward,”(kenesok) if people don't think of Natives in a violent way anymore then making names that depict them that way makes no sense. Native Americans were never bad people and still aren't these names make them out to be the violent “bad guy” that they aren't.
In conclusion, it is not fair to use Native American mascots and names because some people are offended by the mascots and names,nicknames have rude stereotypical meanings, and there is a very dark history behind them.
Works Cited
Associated Press. “Cleveland baseball team the Indians will end controversial logo in 2019.”
Newsela, February 2018
Blackistone, Kevin B. “Native American activists continue their fight against Redskins team name.” Washingtonpost.com, September 2018
Brinkerhoff, Noel. “School board votes to abolish logos for Napa High Indians and Redwood Warriors.” Napa Valley Register, March 2018
HolyWhiteMountain, Sterling. “The Great Failure of the Indians Mascot Debate? Thinking of it only as racism.” Espn.com, October 2016
For this essay I worked hard researching the different articles that were provided to us. I applied the information and fit it into my essay. It was interesting to read the different view points on the topic. I managed my time fairly well by using some class time to get started on my essay and finishing up at home. I feel that I showed growth toward a few of the six C's of a San Marin graduate with this particular assignment. I used critical thinking by reading the articles and applying what I learned. I also had to find quotes within the articles that applied to the topic in essay. I improved in content because this was really a longer essay then usual for me. I found places to put more detailed sentences in to develop my essay.