Gamma Phi Beta University of North Dakota Punished for Showing School Pride

[DrPhil]

It has historically been less difficult for assimilated white ethnicities to "get over it" but don't tell that to ethnically Jewish whites in the U.S. and abroad. Shhhhhhhhhh....

Schools and teams that chose people/groups mascots generations ago SHOULD rethink that when "climates" change. What was considered appropriate 50+ years ago is often no longer appropriate. If idiots can't handle that, select an animal or other nonhuman as a mascot.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

It has historically been less difficult for assimilated white ethnicities to "get over it" but don't tell that to ethnically Jewish whites in the U.S. and abroad. Shhhhhhhhhh....

Schools and teams that chose people/groups mascots generations ago SHOULD rethink that when "climates" change. What was considered appropriate 50+ years ago is often no longer appropriate. If idiots can't handle that, select an animal or other nonhuman as a mascot.

Climates didn't necessarily change. We're talking about organized groups deeming things offensive. It's not as if all of the Sioux Tribes got together and had some sort of discussion and decided they all should condemn this name. Nope. Just a few "concerned citizens" and years and years of tradition are out the window.

[ASTalumna06]

Ironically, I JUST saw this story on the news, then found it online:

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-te...ns-5403772.php

The Houston school district announced new names Tuesday for four school mascots with Native American or historically insensitive ties, noting that the costs of the switch could exceed $250,000.

The Lamar High School Redskins will become the Texans. The Welch Middle School Warriors will become the Wolf Pack. The Huskies will replace the Westbury High Rebels and the Hamilton Middle School Indians.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Climates didn't necessarily change.

Yes, they did.

Originally Posted by Kevin

We're talking about organized groups deeming things offensive.

And?

Originally Posted by Kevin

It's not as if all of the Sioux Tribes got together and had some sort of discussion and decided they all should condemn this name.

You are repeating what I said.

I don't expect white people to have a monthly meeting in which they reach a consensus. Why do many white people expect nonwhites to have monthly meetings and consensus in order for a concern to be deemed valid? Rhetorical question.

[KDCat]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Climates didn't necessarily change. We're talking about organized groups deeming things offensive. It's not as if all of the Sioux Tribes got together and had some sort of discussion and decided they all should condemn this name. Nope. Just a few "concerned citizens" and years and years of tradition are out the window.

You are aware that there are Lakota, Dakota and Yanktoni Sioux in ND who have weighed in on this, aren't you? If the Standing Rock Sioux tribal council approved the use of the UND Sioux mascot, the NCAA would have granted UND a waiver. They didn't. Clearly the Standing Rock Sioux don't like it.

When a group of people say "We don't like the way you are using our name" then the polite thing to do is to stop.

The voters of ND agree. UND's mascot was subject to a ballot initiative. The voters of North Dakota voted it out. It wasn't a few concerned citizens. It was a majority (67%) of voters.

I don't like the way Notre Dame uses the Fighting Irish, but it's not really the same. Irish Americans don't have the poverty rates and general dispossession that Native Americans have faced. Irish Americans are currently integrated as fully white and enjoy the privileges that go with being white in America. Meanwhile, Pine Ridge is the poorest place in the US. It's just not the same.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by KDCat

I don't like the way Notre Dame uses the Fighting Irish, but it's not really the same. Irish Americans don't have the poverty rates and general dispossession that Native Americans have faced. It's just not the same.

Like MC said, the Irish themselves created that as a big F.U. to everyone. THAT'S why it's ok. It's not ok because the Irish were less oppressed. I'm sure there are still Irish people who even knowing that don't like it.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Like MC said, the Irish themselves created that as a big F.U. to everyone. THAT'S why it's ok.

Right. It's one thing if schools and student bodies choose a nickname and mascot that reflects their own heritage—say, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame; the Fighting Scots of Edinboro U, Monmouth College or the College of Wooster; or the Terrible Swedes of Bethany College. It's another thing when they appropriate someone else's heritage—especially when they've already appropriated just about everything else once belonging to that particular someone else.

[bevinpiphi]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Like MC said, the Irish themselves created that as a big F.U. to everyone. THAT'S why it's ok. It's not ok because the Irish were less oppressed. I'm sure there are still Irish people who even knowing that don't like it.

Count my Irish Catholic relatives among those...they hate the mascot.