...When there is change often there is loss to the Native Americans heritage or traditions. However in Native Americans culture change can also symbolize growth and the coming of age. The acculturation of modern technology and beliefs caused Indians to loose many of their traditions. One of the most important traditions is the Name Change. This tradition still lives on today. The name change tradition remains as one of the essential traditions passed down. A Native American will be named when they are born and then they will change names as they change and go through life. Some Indians may change their name two times while another may change it five times. Some of the names may be given based on your appearance, such as light hair. Or another name may be given because you were a great warrior such as crazy horse. The name change signifies that a shift in a person’s ethos or personality has occurred. When a Native American changes names they are growing. When a person is given only one name it almost signifies a dull life. There was no change or growth during their life. They are forced to stay to the roots of that...
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...In the article State to Reexamine Schools’ Use of Native American Mascot Names the author’s believes that Oregon schools should change their Native American mascot. The author gives many convincing points such as some see the use of Native imagery as an offensive stereotype or a racist practices. He points out that Native American have pushed for the state to do something about the issue. It is very clear where the author stands on this topic. Although the author gives many arguments for his side of the subject, he gives ment counterarguments as well such as the names and mascots may be embedded into the community or that changing the mascot will cost a lot of money because they would have to change gym floors, uniform, signs etc. He brings...
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...ART 1010 Three Examples of Native American Art Art is defined differently by each person, and I tend to lean towards a personal definition as well. It is a play on the words of Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart when he was referring to obscenity. “I know it when I see it.” This allows me to recognize what I consider art, and it also gives me the ability to decide what types of art speak to me. Native American art has always been close to my heart because of my personal ancestry, and I hope to pique the reader’s interest in some of the fine examples of this art that are readily accessible today (1964). Native North American tribes, in large part were nomadic and struggled for their everyday existence. Most native art is considered craft work because they were meant to be utilized as practical tools. Some examples include, woven blankets and rugs, pottery, and baskets. Other pieces of their art fall within a few other categories, and include jewelry, beadwork, and headdresses. The architecture of these tribes may not be considered artistic by some standards, but I feel that there is a certain rustic beauty to it. Each of the pieces I will discuss fall easily within these categories. Design is an important element to any piece of art, and it is especially important for craft pieces that are intended for use. The design must meet certain standards to be useful. For example, a blanket needs to not only keep a person warm, but it must be somewhat light and...
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...Christopher Columbus first came in contact with the native people in Americas, where he stated, “They all go around as naked as their mothers bore them, and the women. He also said that “ they could easily be commanded and made to work, to sow, and to do whatever might be needed, to build towns and be taught to wear clothes and adapt our ways, “ and “they are the best people in the world and above all the gentlest.” This was the very first instance were Native Americans were marginalized, which would soon turn into a long lasting and suffering venture for them. Today, after hundreds of years, society has grown and many minorities have gained recognition and empowerment. Although, a lot of people believe that the discrimination against...
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...Native Americans, Struggles, Mascots, and Controversy There has been a national debate for years over Native American athletic mascots. “Members of the North Carolina Mascot Education and Action Group and the Guilford Native American Association, however, repeatedly told us that they perceived the use of Indian mascots, logos, caricatures, and similar images by our schools as a clear form of institutional racism” (Grier 2005: 51). In this paper we will discuss the controversial impact of the Native American stereotype used as mascots. In the early 1900’s when the threat of colonization was abolished Americans started to use the Native American mascot to show their acknowledgement of their struggles. Although this was symbolic it has been an ongoing controversy within schools and sports. California is the second highest state that uses the most Native American imagery and symbols. The importance of this contemporary issue is an ongoing debate in California that has impacted the true history of Native Americans and the battles they went through. The truth is crucial because their imagery and interpretation is misunderstood in American history. In the early 1900’s it became acceptable to use Native American imagery for advertisement. “One of the reasons why most Americans find the mascots unremarkable and do not turn a critical eye toward the mascots is because of the prevalence of similar images throughout U.S. popular culture” (King, et al 2002:391). Although years later...
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...point them out by their mascots and names. Little did we know that our team’s mascot or name may be offensive to a particular culture and has an underlying meaning. According to the Director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indians, as early as 1912 Indian names for sports teams have been used in the professional sector. Following this example many high schools started naming their teams using Indian culture and the use of Indian inspired Mascots. We may like the way the teams name and its mascots suit them, but to the Native American...
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...| Oregon bans Native American school mascots, images | Article 4 | | | Tika ShouldersSoc. 110 T/Thur. 2:15pmProfessor BlossomNovember 5, 2013 | Is it honorable or racist to use Native American Mascots in schools, or professional sports teams? Explain your answer in details. The use of Native American Mascots has been a contentious issue for many years. The exploit of names for sport teams was chosen at time when the dominate group believed that the Native American Indians were a loss and forgotten race. Back in the 20th century Native American tribes were perceived as ruthless, devious, savages, and war-like. According to Joseph Healey (2010) “the persistence of stereotypes and the extent to which they have become enmeshed in modern culture is illustrated by continuing controversies surrounding …names for athletic teams…” (p. 261). Stereotyping indigenous people has been largely perpetuated in our sport teams. When Indian names were chosen to represent sports it does not appear to be because of honor. Native American mascots are a seed of racism and are a general acceptance for institutionalizing American Indians once again. Race-based mascots are very offensive and do not belong in our schools. We are teaching our children that stereotyping and racial discrimination is still acceptable today. The Indian mascots are a creation of a generation that grew up in an era where Native Americans did not get treated fairly. Mascots are a symbol of the extensive history...
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...years the Native American mascot debate is one that has gotten major press. Native Americans are very angry and want to be heard. The tribal names that these natives go by are something that mean very much to them. School boards, and sports teams around the country have used these mascots, and names to define who the team, and or school is. Today, many people see using Native American names for mascots to be racist. These mascots and cultural figures are part of the Native American culture. To go and generalize these people into a sports team that have nothing to do with who they are, is being very prejudice, misleading, and in many ways wrong. Native Americans deserve the right to be heard and understood that their names, tribal figures, and beliefs are theirs. Mascots used to define them bring nothing but racism, shame, stereotyping, and generalization. Many sports teams, schools, and universities in the US have adopted some incarnation of the Native American warrior as their mascot. However, many people, of Native American heritage as well as non-Indians, believe that the portrayals of Native Americans in this manner is a harmful, racist aspect of our culture, and one that we should take strong measures to prevent. It is not wrong for one to say that racism all around the world needs to be put to an end. We as Americans hold ourselves to high standards of being accepting to all ethnicities. It is hard to understand how we are unable to relate to Native Americans and understand...
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...Mascots are a huge part of the sports world. There are many mascot names from people, animals, and plants. People are abusing one of the major mascots, the Native Americans. Many of the Native American’s are confused and disappointed in the native mascot names. The Natives are angry that the teams do not have permission from tribes to use the names. Activist began to fighting in 1989. Through analysis of researching Native American mascots are not only racist, disrespectful, and also unhonorable to the native people who are proud to be a Native American. There are many reasons why Native Americans want to have the team names changed. One reason is that many native tribes think it is racist (“Ending”). These mascots are disrespectful according to many native tribes. Many of the sports franchises do not even have approval from native tribes. These stereotypes ridicule Native Americans, create lowered public expectations, and cause reduced ability to interact with non-Native Americans (Gregory). Sports fans everywhere resist efforts by Native American activists to retire this Indian imagery. “I must have gotten 2,000 emails from people just complaining about it,” the NCAA’s executive committee chairperson at the time, Walter Harrison, explained. Even almost 10 years later, he still remembers one...
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...objectification of Native American figures, symbols, and culture is prevalent in many schools and professional sports teams across America today (Chaney, Burke and Burkley 43). Nearly 1,200 high schools and 90 colleges in the United States use Native Americans as their school mascot (Chaney, Burke and Burkley 43). Throughout football games, pep-rallies, and other school related events, fans chant Native American war chants and dress in stereotypical cartoon-like costumes (Pewewardy 181). Although some people would argue that these symbols are intended to honor Native Americans, they often portray them in an inauthentic and clichéd manner (Chaney, Burke and Burkley 43). Because of this, the barbaric, wild, and savage mascots have become a representation of the Native American...
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...Offensive Mascots Can some mascots be racist? Mascots can be very offensive towards Indian/Native American races because they form stereotypes about different races. These mascots need to be changed, because it is bad for the people being offended, and the community as a whole. People argue that this doesn't hurt the people, but it does, constantly. Everywhere they go there are stereotypical things around them, because of their teams mascot. Some people may say that it would cost to much money to do this kind of operation. Well, first off, it was the school's fault for having their team mascot offend many different religions of Native Americans. Their team mascots can be stereotypical,causing people to think that Native Americans are either “war like”, or “fierce”, when they really aren’t what people think.”It is racist. It is harmful. It is shaming. It is dehumanizing” See-ah-dom Edmo, vice president of the Oregon Indian Education Association. This is why the cost shouldn’t matter of changing these school mascot names....
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...word to insult a Native American. Native Americans have been an important and beneficial part of our history. Before Christopher Columbus set sailed, Native Americans lived peacefully and thrived. Native Americans have been inflicted with agony of discrimination since Columbus landed in 1492. Now an adult, Harjo began a mission for Native Americans so they shouldn’t face discrimination like she once did. She focused part of her work on the removal of Native Americans as mascots. In an interview, Harjo explains that the Washington Redskins is a prime example of an offensive mascot. She refers redskin to the R-word because she believes it has the same meaning as the N-word. (http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/04/native-american-mascots-pride-or-prejudice/) When searching the definition in Merriam-Webster, it’s defined as an offensive word and shouldn’t be used. In...
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...michael Biondo World History Native Americans Ever since I was a little boy I was always interested in the Native Americans. Not only because I found them cooler than pilgrims but because they are so down to earth and were basically the founders of the United States. Native Americans have been around so long and have so many different kinds of tribes and cultural beliefs. Over the years they sort of have been diminished and sometimes made fun of as well. I respect the Native Americans for how they fought for their rights and independents. Even though many Americans think Indians are “Savages” and “Scalpers” I think of them as a strong people. In this paper I would like to explain the impacts that Native Americans have on our country as a whole and the As I stated before Native Americans have been around as far back as the pilgrims “found” America. They had their own villages and tribes around the North American continent, all the way from Canada to the bottom tips of Mexico. The Native American were a free people living off the land, Hunting, not only deer but buffalo. Buffalo were around and not scarce like they are today. In the 1800’s there were more than “60 million free ranging buffalo on Americas Great Plains and in its mountains” (Yellowstone 1). The Native Americans used the buffalo for more than just food. They were very resourceful they used the skin and fur of the buffalo to make their teepees and make their clothing out of it as well too. Not only did...
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...I think the washington Redskins should change their name because it is offensive, the name has been a hot topic for quite some time, and they could easily change the name to something else. Redskins is a term used by europeans when they first came to the new world. The word was used a reference to the indians darker sometimes reddish tinted skin. The Redskins team name didn't just become a hot topic it's been a hot topic for 31 years. Since 1972 people have been saying how offensive the name is to the native americans. The Redskins may lose the rights to their mascot, and will not have any new stadiums built for the team until the name is changed. Other teams have also changed their names, and it has not change how the fans see them or their profit from the games. The Redskins should change their name because it is the right thing to do if native american beleive the name of a team that represents them should be changed then who are we to say no. “Redskins can't possibly honor a heritage or noble character trait, nor can it possibly be considered a neutral term. It's an insult, a slur, no matter how benign the present day intent.” said Bob Costas, NBC sports host. The term redskin is originally used to refer the native...
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...Mascot Name Changes Assignment 1) a) In the article by King and Springwood (2000), “Fighting Spirits: The Racial Politics of Sports Mascots”, the authors go into detail about how “whiteness” (at Ole Miss) and “redness” (at Florida State) have been used to create a controversial symbol of power that has produced a racial discrepancy between opposing races taking offense to the mascot used by both schools. In the case of Florida State University, the school has developed a mascot (Chief Osceola) that portrays the American Indian as an aggressive savage. “When Osceola leads the FSU football players onto the field, he signifies armed resistance, bravery, and savagery, and his appearance builds on the prevailing understandings of Indianness that construct Native Americans as aggressive, hostile, and even violent” (King and Springwood [2000], p. 285). This portrayal of savagery is at the heart of the arguments by native Indians to remove their names from colleges using their image as a motivational and war-like incentive. I have never viewed the mascots of colleges as being an offensive form of racial disparity, but this article made me view this issue from the other side and opened my eyes as to why groups of people may be offended by how their name is being represented to the public. For example, I grew up an avid sports fan, but history never really caught my interest. Therefore, my view of the American Indian is distorted from the reality of their true image because...
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