Help. are you in favor or against the use of native american names for mascots?

What do you think about schools who use native american names for school mascots. Are you in favor or against, and if so, why?

Help. are you in favor or against the use of native american names for mascots?
I am absolutely indifferent about it. They can use native American names, or Irish names or Russian names for all I care.
Reply:It depends. A lot of the universities who use Native American likenesses do so with the permission of the Native Americans in their state. Like the University of Ohio or Florida State University. As an FSU student and a history major, I know what the Seminoles stand for and I am proud to be associated with them and I know when the debate arose a few years back the Seminole tribe in Florida stood with FSU to support the use of Chief Osceola and the War Chant.
Reply:What about the racist white mascots!!





I think the New England Patriots should change their mascot!!





As a white guy, I am offended!!!





LOL
Reply:I think it's stupid - it's like putting them at the level of an animal (because most mascots are animals), no matter how "noble" that animal may be.
Reply:Against it! Native Americans are people not animals. The 'Bears', the 'Tigers', 'the Hornets', and the 'Indians'? i don't think so.





I'd like to see what would happen if we introduced the 'Detroit Negroes' or 'New York Jews' lol. See what I mean?
Reply:I go to the University of Illinois in Champaign. And last year they took away our mascot "Chief Illiniwek" because he supposedly was a burden on the native American people in the area who thought that he was disgracing their traditions. I guess he didn't do the dance right and people weren't taking him seriously enough. Also, people didn't want to portray the Native Americans as barbaric or as fierce animals.
Reply:Personally...I feel that if a group of human beings are used as mascots, or something in relation to them, then it should be they who came up with it.





Hence why the "Fighting Irish" isn't such an issue because it's probably whites who came up with it...and last I checked Irish is white.
Reply:I'm going to say...FOR!
Reply:Well I think that Native Americans should have the say. I am white but I think it can be a triubute. The Redskins are just wrong.
Reply:not sure why you posted it in gay and lesbien section but ill give oyu some insite anyway lol





I feel its okay as long as they arent mocking the native americans or if they say no then the school should stop
Reply:I guess for.... unless it's a blatantly white, rich school. Then not so much.
Reply:Why did you classify this under lesbien, gay, bi and trans? Not cool.
Reply:I'm with Tsunami, you don't name your team after something that isn't respected or revered. You don't see team names like The Fighting Poodles or "The Cuddly Kitties"... Team names are supposed to sound fierce.. Ok, so Cardinals or Blue Jays isn't a good example... but still..
Reply:I am part Native American. If and only if they were to bring dignity to our heritage then I don't have a problem with it. However, the way children, teenagers and adults act today there is no way I would want a school to be named after any tribe. I really think if Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Adams Roosevelt, Kennedy or any of the other presidents who have schools named after them came back today they would be terribly disappointed in how and where their names where used.





I wish we could name our schools after animals, plants, fish, insects anything but a person's name. To many headaches the other way.
Reply:I'm kind of on the fence on this one.





I think the only schools that should use these are schools with predominately native american students and staff.





Also, they could be a little less racist than the Redskins. That's just shallow.
Reply:i am in favor of it it doesn not degrade the indian its great respect i see and they are changing it cause of their rights but its sad to see this is was meant for respect and apparently they dont' see it that way.
Reply:As a member of a Federally Recognized Tribe, I have to say that it all depends on the name and the intent.





Some "native" names being used are downright derogatory, others not so bad.





I know of a college in Arizona that left it up to the students to come up with a mascot. They are the Artichokes....really invokes fear huh..."The Fighting Artichokes"....





I would have to say I am against using an ethnic group as a source of names for sports franchises.
Reply:I don't see how it is any different than using the "Vikings" as the mascot. If you want to have it as a Mascot, then you should be free to do so. I don't think there is any thing insensitivite about that.
Reply:why would it b bad? RACIST!!!