The usage of Native American images and names in sports has led to controversy in both Canada and the United States. The usage of Native American images, symbols and names by non-native teams is viewed as a harmful ethnic stereotype that lead to prejudice and misunderstanding that contributes to problems related ethnic stereotyping that Native American face. People who defend the usage of these native symbols, images and names claim that that is a way of honoring the Native Americans as they refer to positive traits such as dedication, fighting spirit, aggressiveness and pride in their identity.
American people have a history of deriving their inspiration from playing Indians and the native people. For example the multiple summer camps, college and university students and the boy scouts in the 19th and 20th centuries Indians names and symbols were adopted for group identities.
The settling of the Europeans in North America resulted to Native Americans suffering from misconceptions, stereotypes and caricatures (Pedersen 59). Due to the stereotypes and misconceptions about the Native American, the Europeans forced them to relocate and strived to eradicate the native traditions and cultures. In order to achieve this, the Europeans separated the siblings of the Native Americans from their parents and mix them with Euro- Americans so that they could not inherit their traditions but instead adopt the euro-American traditions and cultures (Salamone 100). The Europeans regarded the Native American as ignoble savages, noble savages and as casino-rich. Native Americans were treated with undermined integrity and respect as the Europeans used demeaning images to represent them.
People who champion for the use of Native American names, symbols and images dissociate that practice from racism. To them racism is racism is associated with the African American experience rather than Native Americans (Chapman 145). Nevertheless, racism is any act or form of discrimination based on ethnicity. The euro Americans were not after cheap or free labor from the Indian Americans they were after land and that’s why they were assimilating them. The natives who refused to get assimilated into the Euro-Americans suffered continued discrimination.
In conclusion, the use of Indian American names, mascots and images lead to misunderstanding and insensitivity of the Native Americans therefore promoting discrimination, misconceptions and stereotypes which harm members of the victimized society. Continued use of stereotypical, demeaning and inaccurate images, names and symbols of Native Americans affect the understanding of their culture (Salamone 44). In order to avoid prejudices, misrepresentations and cultural biases, stereotypical images, and names should not be used as the factual images and names.
Works cited
Chapman, Roger. Culture wars an encyclopedia of issues, viewpoints, and voices. Armonk, N.Y: M.E. Sharpe, 2010. Print
Pedersen, Paul M., and Lucie Thibault. Contemporary sport management. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2014. Print.
Salamone, Frank A. The Native American identity in sports : creating and preserving a culture. Lanham: Scarecrow Press, Inc, 2013. Print.
Thornton, Patrick K., Walter T. Champion, and Larry Ruddell. Sports ethics for sports management professionals. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett, 2012. Print.
