[Sistermadly]

The argument that tradition should outweight people's desire for positive representations is an interesting one, especially in light of using Native Americans as mascots.

That people can be more emotionally invested in a symbol than in a flesh-and-blood human being who is standing there telling you that such representations are insulting, hurtful, and belittling to those who adopt them speaks volumes to the level of self-centeredness that exists in our culture.

If someone stood next to you and started poking you with a stick for about 10 minutes, you'd tell them that it hurt and would ask them to stop. But what if that person answered "It's a tradition, and I'll always be a stick-poker!" and kept on doing it? Wouldn't you be annoyed and insulted that the person disregarded your wishes? Wouldn't you feel invisible and demoralized?