American Indians Are Not Mascots

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/ame...re-not-mascots

This is a petition to retire the use of "Fighting Sioux" at the University of North Dakota, in case anyone is interested. Pass it on to your friends too, if you so desire. You can also choose to ignore me.

I was involved in the protests of "Chief Illiniwek" of the University of Illinois, and I sat in on some of the UIC board meetings. It was heartbreaking listening to the stories. It reminded me of the racism my own son had to endure in school. It made me thankful we no longer use black as mascots. He had it bad enough.

Chief Illiniwek was eventually retired, and the NCAA made a declaration for all schools to stop the use of Indian mascots. UND is refusing to comply. The stories I've heard from the native community there are far worse than what I heard here in Illinois. It's "tradition" to pick on the natives from the reservations, especially after a few drinks.

I'd like to think people across the country here now realize the impact and consequences of using/mocking others from another culture/race.

Thanks.

so named 'American Indians" are not mascots.. great teachers they are..... thank you KathyM

Thanks ((NWTR))

But it's something we already know - we just refuse to acknowledge because it's too much "fun" for non-Indians to dress up like Indians and pretend to be either "noble," "savage," or "brave." It's too much fun for the opponents to simulate real warfare using these mascots - attempting to kill them off week after week.

It makes me angry that a handful of Lakota have been placed with this responsibility of teaching society about respect. They have enough real and tragic issues going on in their lives.

One very dear friend of mine was toggling between a dying mother in her home and a brother in a hospital ICU. She was forced to drop everything to attend a meeting at UND to explain YET AGAIN why it's offensive. If she hadn't, they would have assumed it's not an issue for the native community there - or they would have accused her of being too "lazy" to attend the meeting.

I am in awe that some people can still consider things like this funny. To me, the fact that native populations have the issues they do today(in my area anyways) such as addictions and abuse, is completely because of the way our culture was forced on them.

If anything we should be encouraging them to revitalize their background and advance at their own pace. And we have so much to learn from them. I have great respect for native elders or spiritual leaders.

To me its a little like making a quadrapalegic mascot - noone would find that funny. Or a mentally challenged mascot - noone would find that funny either. Or like someone said, a black mascot - that would be considered ill taste too and this is as well.

i am of norwegen descent, and i do not find it offensive at all when sports teams decide to name themselves after vikings.
so what is the big deal with a team naming themselves the indians/chiefs/whatever. if anything, wouldnt it be a good thing?

i fuly agree with you

xander1

There's a difference with people who are connected with their families and ancestors. Your mother is not a Viking, and you don't have to carry a memory of your grandmother and grandfather being horribly abused and murdered in front of your eyes.

Would you feel honored if you saw a bunch of kids dressed up in your grandmother's dress, reenacting the horrible scene for their pleasure and profit?

If you had a child with Down's Syndrome, would you mind having a mascot that resembled your child out on the field getting torn apart and burned in effigy? Would you approve of the fans pretending to talk like your son - would you join them in mocking your son? Would it be appropriate if the drunken fans started harassing people with Downs syndrome out on the street, just because they were "pumped up" from the game? What's the difference?

who said they were

KathyM.. i just cant see why some have issue with what you are trying to say here... it seems really simple and clear... do not mock others.. why is this so hard for some to understand? can anyone explain it?

an example of the healing arts of the "American Indians"

Navajo Sandpainting Video Part I

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I was responding to the poster who said it wasn't offensive to treat people in this way. If you were responding to me, listen to this single account of a student from the University of Illinois. Her life was threatened with a "tomahawk" after she made this speech.

http://www.retirethechief.org/BOT0307/Tenoso320x240.mov

This is so out of hand, PC (political correctness) is terrible.
To compare down's syndrom people to American Indians is just not right. it is not the same and no one would do that to a Down's person.

I am 50% American Indian, Lumbee tribe out of Pembroke NC, just check the websight www.lumbee.org, those are my people and we don't have a problem with Indian names for sports teams. People are so overly sensitive to this issuse and those that want to change it are forcing their so called offence onto people that have no control over it.

Next it'll be the Fightin' Irish and the Vikings or Packers, people have too much time on their hands and just look to be offended. If you want to be offended, you can be.
There is a lot of money that people think they will get, just look at reparations. Everyone that gets offended has their collective hand out and it is usually reaching into my pocket.

This needs to stop.

I agree. I have some native blood and don't find it offensive either. just my opinion. cherokee here.

50guy

If no one would don't do it to a person with Down's syndrome, why is it okay to do it to Indians?

Strange... I would consider it an honor if a team was named after my tribe... were I a native. Sure don't see it as a bad thing.

50guy said:

Quote:
There is a lot of money that people think they will get, just look at reparations. Everyone that gets offended has their collective hand out and it is usually reaching into my pocket.

This needs to stop.


well, ok, what if people just agreed to have a little more consideration about the humiliating aspects of this.. forget the money for a minute if able... isnt it ok to be kind and considerate of others still on this planet? i know you do care about a lot of things 50guy, so i'm not trying to say you're callous... but they are only asking to be treated kindly........ and possibly more.. but kindness shouldnt be with-held for any reason i'm able to see...

Septembermorn

Would you feel honored if you were a young Indian girl walking alone back to her dorm and came across some fellow male students after a drunken frat party where they were all dressed up as Indians and wanted to "marry" the maiden?

Would you feel an attack on this young woman would be "all in good fun?"

Alright, this is not directed at any member specifically.

But I need to remind everyone that ALL posting should be within the Community Guidelines, and should be supportive in nature.

If this continues, I will be forced to lock this thread.

I did not post this thread to argue over whether or not it is offensive. I posted this thread to see if anyone here wanted to help these people. If you all don't care about their pain, I have already stated you have the option to ignore my request.

Kathy, you are so bright and i adore you... i dont think its all of us who dont care, and it could be that those who appear not to care, simply arent educated in the matter.. not that i am completlely myself...

but offensiveness is offensive to anyone of any skin color.. when will we learn...

50guy

I'm sorry, I'm a bit frazzled. I didn't mean to compare Indians to people with Down's syndrome. I was trying to find a group of people who are also viewed as different in society and often used as targets or puppets for pleasure.

what about fat people, or skinny people or tall people or short people... who can we laugh at next (pure sarcasm)

(((((((((((((((Kathy))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
((((((((((((((((everyone here)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
I hope this ok to post.
Being whom I am ......which really only ((god )) knows.......
But in my heart I know there is indain blood.
AS soon as the sun comes out I change color like the leaves on a tree.
Use to be I hid. Or kept myself protected from the sun.......
I tan very well...If you want to call it that.
I have in the last 2 years taken many mean comments over it.
some very nice ones too.....
RIght now its june......There is no doubt......to the exposed skin.
I do not burn. I just turn pretty dark........
Last day of my store closing a very very nasty comment was made.
So (((kathy))) i understand
We in this world need to show each other respect.....no matter what

color of the wind we are........

If american indains feel as you say .....then it should be respected....

muffy
hope this was ok

Wasn't there a similiar thread a few months ago? It appears that there is no grey area here. Either you find it terribly offensive or you don't see what the problem is.

Are we actually suggesting that because there was an Indian mascot an idiot attacked a girl? That if the team had been the fighting turtles said idiot would not have attacked her? Ridiculous.

On that note, I'm locking this thread to prevent any further argument. If you have any concerns or complaints, feel free to PM me, but the OP has posted, and people have commented so I feel that now we are just going around in circles.

In the future, please remember to be supportive in *all* of your postings, regardless of whether or not you agree with what is being said. It is possible to disagree without attacking another person.

Thank you.