Yes, this has been quite a controversy for a very long time. I choose not to take sides. However, I personally believe that everything that God created has a spirit. If nothing with a spirit could be used as a mascot, then it would change the entire venue I think. I understand how the original peoples of this country feel insulted by being symbolized in mascots. (Do you also know that I offended some by using the term Native American?)

In the USA it is great honor to be a mascot. Not only is there great contesting and competitions for naming them, but the warring continues for who gets to wear and act through the garb of the symbols for their teams, schools!

For any bad habit to be changed, a good habit has to replace it. Perhaps if we could find suitable symbols for mascots and promoted them, this controversy could end?