Response Paper: Should Sports Teams be Able to use Native American Mascots?
(Student’s Full Name)
Even though it can be argued that Native American mascots can be used by sports teams if a tribe, which is recognized by the federal government, approves of it, these mascots should not be used by sports teams. This is because it disrespects the Native American culture by commercializing it. For instance, Jaime Berning, the co-president of the Banks Middle School Parent Teacher Organization, said that she has been “selling T-shirts and sweatshirts” with the Braves mascot, which depicts the image of a Native American (Pilorget, 2015, para. 3). These clothing items have the words “‘Banks Braves Forever’” written on them (as cited in Pilorget, 2015, para. 3). Although it can be argued that the clothing items represent the efforts of the PTO to keep the Braves mascot and logo, the use of the image of Native American image can be perceived as being disrespectful because it commercializes the image of the Native American. Furthermore, it can be argued that in commercializing the image, it brings the Native American to the level of an object or objectifies a Native American person.
In addition, the Oregon Board of Education has already “voted in 2012” to place a “ban” on all mascots illustrating Native Americans (Pilorget, 2015, para. 5). Moreover, it should be noted that the “state legislature approving Senate Bill 1509 in 2014” (Pilorget, 2015, para. 14). This means that, with the passing of this bill, school “districts” can make agreements with tribes to create “exemptions” to the ban (Pilorget, 2015, para. 14). However, Oregon’s Board of Education has rejected such “exemptions” (Pilorget, 2015, para. 14). Therefore, this means that schools would still be required to get rid of any mascots depicting Native American Indians. Additionally, the school districts are not protected by the state legislature to continue to use mascots illustrating Native Americans beyond July 1, 2017.
Reference
Pilorget, D. (2015, October 22). Despite Native American mascot ban, Banks residents say 'Braves Forever' Retrieved February 15, 2016, from http://www.oregonlive.com/forest-grove/index.ssf/2015/10/despite_native_american_mascot.html
