Argumentative writing

For this assignment we were asked if the mascot controversy was racist and detrimental to the Native American culture. To answer this question we were assigned to write a five paragraph essay with evidence supporting our answer.

Due to me not being a Native American I felt I shouldn't have a view on this but here is one anyway.

Tyler Hemmings

Mrs. Muñoz-Matheny

English 9, Period 6

8 November 2019

Native Americans Aren’t Mascots

The use of Native American Mascots and logos are detrimental and racist because most mascots are animals not people, Americans think it’s a source of honor when really it's stereotyping, and lastly, Native Americans find it racist.

The first reason why, is because most mascots are animals or Native Americans. This is detrimental because it shows to others that Native Amercans are like animals, in the sense that they are savages. Washington Redskins and other football teams like the Denver Broncos which mascot is a horse which the other stereotypes only the Native Americans and no other race. “The most popular mascots in the country are Indians and animals” (Daily Show). This video therefore shows how racist that the only humans acting as mascots, are Native Americans. It also proves how the football teams are discriminating and being detrimental to Native Americans and therefore it would imply racism. Native Americans also strongly believe that they're not, mascots, “We’re not mascots” (Daily show).

Nevertheless, some wrongly believe that because Football fans love both animals and Natives, that makes is a sign it’s honoring them by making them mascots. “Because we all love Animals and we all love Indians” (Buzzfeed). Just because some feel this way about another race shouldn’t give them control over what's considered offensive or what's considered showing love. For example, “I can’t imagine any other race where that would be acceptable”(Buzzfeed). Which makes it plain and simple no race would be proudly portrayed as a mascot so neither do Native Americans.

The second reason why these mascots are racist is because Americans use stereotypical images and erroneously think it’s a source of honor. This is stereotypical because the mascots have bright red skin and feathers in their hair which is a false portrayal of modern Native Americans. It’s also degrading them as looking like savages. Some of the team names are also racist such as the Washington Redskins, the usage behind the word “redskin” is “It eventually acquired an unfavorable connotation. Redskin like the related terms red man and Red Indian, is now dated and offensive”( Lexico Definitions). This quote directly proves by a dictionary that the word Redskin is offensive and that by having that the name of a Football team is detrimental to Native Americans and should have its name changed.

However even as detrimental as this seems some Americans find it a source of honor and have shown no problem with the mascots in thinking they're racist. “Honoring your strong, proud, courageous, brave, heritage”(Daily Show). However what they're really honoring is the stereotypical red skinned, savage creatures. What they're really supporting is a name that is now so outdated and offensive itś considered a racially offensive slur. “Itś a name that impairs, disables, disenfranchises our population” (Daily Show). This proves that what Americans think that they are honoring is in fact is offensive and not honoring Native Americans at all.

The last reason why Native Americans shouldnt be Mascots are because they’re offensive. For example,“This is another one that really depersonalizes our people”(Buzzfeed). A second piece of evidence is, “This is a weird outdated view of what it means to be Native”(Buzzfeed). Both of these quotes therefore prove that the mascots are false, as well as perhaps not intentionally being used in a purposeful offensive manner. This is due to the completely false mascots that are only showing the bad and negative things of the Native American stereotypes. For example the red skin, “And he’s completely red, are you kidding me”(Buzzfeed) and another description of a mascot is, “That’s the color of a fire truck”(Buzzfeed). Both of these quotes describe the offensive stereotype being used in mascots. “Critics say it’s offensive to Native Americans” “The Redskins name” (Daily Show). All the quotes prove how offensive these mascots are to Native Americans and how it shouldn’t be allowed to continue on offending another race with stereotypically false images.

In the end, Natvie Americans don’t want to be called mascots, they don’t want to get offended, and they don’t like to be called or shown racist things about them. So for the Native Americans, change the mascots so they won't have to life with these problems in their day to day life and that after 202 years we can finally stop having Native Americans being represented as mascots.

Work cited

Buzzfeed “Native Americans review “Indian” sports mascots” Youtube, uploaded by As/Is 24 Spetember 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTBT-_F6oYw

Daily Show “The daily show-Redskins name-catching Racism” Youtube, uploaded by Comedy Central 26 September 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loK2DRBnk24

Reflection

For this essay I wanted to make sure I left out all opinion and only stated the truth about why this reason is true so that the reader can decide to agree or disagree not the writer. I also had to make sure I used my time wisely due to my community having the power shut off for about a school week this meant I had to make the time count when i had internet and I had to make my research count.

I also improved growth om my 6 cś by critically thinking about using my time management skills to complete the assignment in a timely manner without wasting time, and risking not being able to work on my document without power on.

This image shows how the football industry stereotyped Native Americans