Quote:
Originally posted by AggieSigmaNu361
Disclaimer: All racial terms in this post are being used in a discussionary manner, and are not directed towards any persons
Ok, so i've been thinking about this a lot.
I think we would all agree that if a team or school chose the name "Darkies", "Coloreds" or "N-words" for a team mascot that it would be EXTREMELY offensive and there would be an enormous uproar in this country. I'm sure the ACLU and Jesse Jackson and his cronies would be all over it.
So, why is it that the term "Redskins" isn't given a passing thought? Native American groups have been protesting the use of native-themed mascots for years and the Redskins in particular for at least a decade, yet the so called advocates for equality haven't rallied to their side. When the issue did go to district court, it was ruled that the Redskins could keep their name, because the protesting groups waited too long to challenge it. (the team being named in 1967). Does that make it right? I guarantee that if we had the SF "Slopes" that had been formed back then their name wouldn't have survived the case.
To many NA's this name is the utmost of offensive. It refers to a time when NA's were considered less than human and trappers were paid for their scalps in the same vein as beaver and bear pelts.
Y'all know that i'm not a hippie liberal by any stretch of the imagination, but this is something that i truly think is wrong and needs to be changed.
Kitso
KS 361
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Who said that team mascots and those terms aren't given passing thoughts?
Jesse Jackson and the like HAVE (a long time ago) given this a "passing thought." Many, particularly racial and ethnic minorities, have warned one another against acknowledging certain team mascots and terms. Unfortunately, people (including minorities) still acknowledge them.
If the Native American community was a more visible force and collectively expressed discontent, consistently moving toward getting such terms and images abolished, there may be change. But, since the Native American community is relatively small, other groups must combine forces for this type of massive social change. This has yet to happen to a degree of consistency and influence.
The things your post has pointed to are nothing new and are taught in many courses dealing with Race and Ethnic Relations. It's important that you raised these issues, though.
The general consensus among Americans is that "these are just sports teams, no harm done," "Native Americans aren't angry, we're honoring their heritage," "If THEY were really mad...where are the protests?" and my favorite..."Well, my FRIEND (one person) is Native American and SHE sees nothing wrong (as if ONE person speaks for MANY)."
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