Four Perspectives: Native American Mascots
Summary
TLDRThe script discusses the controversy surrounding the use of American Indian mascots, particularly Chief Illiniwek of the University of Illinois and the Washington Redskins, highlighting differing perspectives on cultural heritage versus racial insult. It touches on the impact of such mascots on Native American identity and the debate over changing team names despite some polls suggesting a majority of Native Americans are not offended.
Takeaways
- 🏈 The University of Illinois' mascot, Chief Illiniwek, has been a subject of controversy due to its representation of a fictitious American Indian character.
- 👨👧👦 A Spokane Indian graduate student's children's reaction to Chief Illiniwek at a basketball game sparked her activism against the mascot, highlighting the impact on Native American children.
- 🎭 The mascot was seen by some as a symbol of heritage and tradition, while others viewed it as a racial insult and mockery of Native American culture.
- 📉 The debate over the mascot's imagery affected other institutions, with some universities and schools dropping American Indian symbols in response to concerns.
- 💬 There is a division within the Native American community itself regarding the use of such mascots, with some polls suggesting a majority do not find them offensive, while others argue the impact on mental health and identity.
- 🤝 The Big Ten Conference, including the universities of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa, took a stand against American Indian mascots, influencing the debate on political correctness and minority representation.
- 💰 Financial contributions to the University of Illinois were threatened to be withheld if Chief Illiniwek was removed, indicating the economic implications of the mascot's potential removal.
- 🏛️ A state representative proposed a law to protect Chief Illiniwek as the official symbol of the University, reflecting the political dimensions of the mascot debate.
- 📰 Media coverage and public opinion are divided, with some supporting the retention of the mascot as a sign of respect and others calling for its removal as a form of racial slur.
- 🔍 The Washington Redskins controversy parallels the Chief Illiniwek debate, with the team's name being defended by its owner and criticized by others as a racial insult.
- 🤔 The complexity of the issue is underscored by the varying perspectives, including those who argue that changing the name of a sports team does not address deeper societal issues affecting Native American communities.
Q & A
What is the significance of Chief Illiniwek at the University of Illinois?
-Chief Illiniwek has been a symbol of the University of Illinois for 70 years, performing at halftime of home football and basketball games, and serving as a unifying figure for the community, student body, and faculty.
Why did the Spokane Indian graduate student start to oppose Chief Illiniwek?
-The graduate student began to oppose Chief Illiniwek after attending a basketball game with her children and realizing the mascot represented a racial stereotype that was inappropriate and offensive.
What was the initial reaction of the University of Illinois community to the opposition against Chief Illiniwek?
-Some members of the community felt that Chief Illiniwek was a part of their heritage and tradition, and they did not see it as a racial insult or slur on the Native American community.
How did other universities respond to the use of American Indian mascots?
-Some universities, such as Eastern Michigan, Southern Colorado, St. John's, Marquette, and Bradley University, dropped their Indian references and mascots in response to concerns about cultural appropriation and offense.
What was the reaction of the alumni to the potential removal of Chief Illiniwek?
-Alumni reactions indicated that they would withhold financial contributions to the University without Chief Illiniwek, showing strong support for the mascot.
What action did state representative Rick Winkle take to protect Chief Illiniwek?
-State representative Rick Winkle proposed a law that would guarantee Chief Illiniwek as the official symbol of the University of Illinois, in an attempt to preserve the mascot.
What is the controversy surrounding the name 'Washington Redskins'?
-The name 'Washington Redskins' is considered by some as a racial slur and offensive to Native Americans, leading to debates about whether it should be changed.
What has been the stance of the Washington Redskins' owner, Daniel Snyder, on the name controversy?
-Daniel Snyder has maintained a hard-line stance, insisting that the team name will never change, arguing that it represents strength, courage, pride, and respect.
What arguments have been made in favor of keeping the name 'Washington Redskins'?
-Some argue that the name honors Native American heritage and that polls have shown that a majority of Native Americans do not find the name offensive.
What are the counterarguments to the claim that the majority of Native Americans are not offended by the name 'Washington Redskins'?
-Critics argue that the polls may not be representative of all Native American opinions and that the use of the term is still a form of racial slur that contributes to negative stereotypes.
What is the broader implication of the debate on sports team mascots and names?
-The debate reflects larger issues of cultural appropriation, respect for indigenous cultures, and the struggle for recognition and sensitivity towards minority communities.
Outlines
🏟️ Controversy Over Native American Mascots
The script discusses the controversy surrounding the use of Chief Illiniwek, a fictitious American Indian character, as a mascot at the University of Illinois. The character has been part of the university's identity for 70 years, performing at halftime shows and uniting the community. However, the narrative shifts in 1989 when a Spokane Indian graduate's children are exposed to the mascot, leading her to question its appropriateness. The script explores differing viewpoints, from those who see the mascot as a source of pride and tradition to those who view it as a racial insult and a mockery of Native American culture.
🔍 The Debate on Racial Mascotry in Sports
This paragraph delves into the broader debate on the use of racial mascots in sports, exemplified by the Washington Redskins. The script highlights the irony of the team's name and the public's desensitization to it. It also mentions other institutions that have dropped Native American references, while the University of Illinois remains steadfast. The pressure on the university increases as fellow Big Ten Conference members take a stand against such mascots. The script presents various perspectives, including alumni who threaten to withhold donations and a state representative who proposes a law to protect Chief Illiniwek. The debate is further complicated by the assertion that Native Americans themselves are divided on the issue.
🗳️ Polls and Perceptions on the Redskins Name
The script presents a complex picture of public opinion regarding the Washington Redskins' name. It references polls suggesting that a significant number of self-identified Native Americans do not find the name offensive, which is used by some to argue against a name change. However, it also acknowledges that there are Native Americans who do take offense, and it questions the validity of polls that claim otherwise. The discussion includes commentary from sportscaster Bob Costas, who criticizes the name, and reactions from various media figures and politicians, reflecting a divided and evolving stance on the issue.
💬 The Impact of Racial Slurs on Native American Youth
This paragraph focuses on the impact of racial slurs and mascots on the mental health of Native American youth. It includes input from the Native Youth Leadership Alliance, which suggests that such names contribute to depression among young people. The script contrasts this with arguments that the words 'take on a fence' and that historical usage of terms like 'redskins' was not inherently offensive. It also touches on the broader issue of political correctness and the need to balance respect for cultural sensitivities with freedom of speech.
🤝 Potential Resolutions and the Future of the Redskins Name
The final paragraph speculates on the future of the Washington Redskins' name, considering the evolving stance of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and President Obama's comments. It suggests that a name change may be imminent, despite the team owner's strong opposition. The script proposes potential new names that could satisfy various stakeholders, highlighting the complexity of finding a solution that respects the feelings of all involved.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Fighting Illini
💡Chief Illiniwek
💡Mascot
💡Heritage
💡Racial Insult
💡Washington Redskins
💡Political Correctness
💡Cultural Sensitivity
💡Annenberg Public Policy Center
💡Bob Costas
💡Daniel Snyder
Highlights
Chief Illiniwek, a fictitious American Indian character, has been a symbol of the University of Illinois for 70 years.
The mascot's role in unifying the community and its popularity among fans is highlighted.
A Spokane Indian graduate student's experience with her children at a basketball game sparked a change in the dialogue around the mascot.
The emotional response and the sense of disrespect felt by some Native Americans towards the mascot are discussed.
Some view Chief Illiniwek as a heritage and tradition, not as a racial insult.
The debate over the mascot's impact on the perception of Native Americans in sports and media is presented.
The influence of the Washington Redskins controversy on the broader conversation about Native American mascots.
Different Native American groups and individuals express their opinions on the use of such mascots.
The economic impact of potential mascot changes on universities and professional sports teams is considered.
Political figures and the public debate the appropriateness of Native American mascots.
The role of alumni donations and their influence on university decisions regarding mascots is examined.
Efforts by some universities to drop Native American references in response to the controversy.
The Big Ten Conference's stance on American Indian mascots and its impact on the University of Illinois.
The proposal of a law to guarantee Chief Illiniwek as the official symbol, sparking further debate.
The Washington Redskins owner's defense of the team's name and the public's divided opinion.
Polls and surveys indicating varying degrees of offense taken by Native Americans regarding the term 'Redskins'.
The complexity of the issue as it relates to political correctness, heritage, and respect for Native American culture.
The potential for change in the name of the Washington Redskins as influenced by public figures and ongoing discussions.
Transcripts
it's a fall Saturday afternoon at the
University of Illinois right fans come
from all around to support the home team
the Fighting Illini and everywhere is
the symbol of the University of Illinois
a fictitious American Indian character
called chief Illini Whitney chief
Illiniwek has been part of the
University of Illinois for 70 years
dancing at halftime of home football and
basketball games the chief has become a
crowd favorite
he's a focal point he draws the
community the student body the faculty
together I've seen the performance many
many times and have found it nothing but
inspiring little was heard from American
Indians about their feelings on the
chief but that all changed one night in
1989 when a Spokane Indian graduate
student and a mother of two was asked by
her children to take them to a
basketball game I got tickets to the
game and I tried to prepare them ahead
of time and what they were going to see
there you know it's you know they have
this Indian mascot as you know they were
paint some people were feathers you know
they have were chants they have you know
or just try to go through all the things
that they would experience there so you
know you just have to ignore that you
know just enjoy the game
[Applause]
it was when the chief came out and I'd
never seen him never stated before
didn't know it all would it look like
what he wore you know I just heard that
the chief comes out and does what's
billed as an authentic dad
[Music]
and he came out wearing that buckskin
really a beautiful book skin wearing
what looked like real eagle feathers all
the way to the ground and of course the
fans going to a frenzy and all around us
there were these people standing in and
see yelling the chief the chief you know
and it was so you know my kids you know
just sank in their seat and I knew that
I couldn't be here and not address that
issue so I started to stand outside
alone you know because I didn't know
what else to do I did that for my kids I
was standing up for my kids
[Music]
I don't consider chief our light and
what to be a mascot I consider it the
chief to be a part of the heritage of in
the tradition of this of this
institution I can't imagine that that
can be perceived as a as a racial insult
or as a slur on the Native American
community to me it's it's a compliment
and I don't think the people here should
cave in to out-of-state foreigners so
you think that you think the Indian
people are foreigners they're from
Oklahoma I'm a taxpayer in Illinois they
a taxpayer in the Illinois I pay my
taxes in Illinois
and I support the UI they come in from
out of state and they don't support us
they don't pay any taxes they shouldn't
have any say here
[Music]
I see the mascot of symbolic display of
our leadership that we control you we
own you
every time that was being paraded around
I felt I had to also be there to
challenge it if there was any other
religious practice that was being abused
we would hear about it the American
Indian population is relatively small
yet the popularity of Indian images and
sports and on TV affects what many
people know and think about Indians so
to have a chief as entertainment at a
sporting event is is a mockery and and
and there's no way to get past this
barrier that it's very difficult to get
past this barrier that this isn't
dignified just because he's not a
character or whatever it's even it's
even more of a mockery because he's not
a character Church I think it would have
been better if it was this cartoon
character you know it might have been at
least then you could laugh at as being
stupid and ignorant you know and that's
kind of maybe what I thought I was going
to see out there is some caricature of
the you know with a big head and a big
nose or something then then it's obvious
that it's you know this clown Charlene
left the University of Illinois and
moved on to continue her fight the first
stop was the big money world of
professional football in the Washington
Redskins
the irony of of the whole thing is here
you have red skins which is the most
blatant racist symbol term depiction
right in the capital everybody it's kind
of numb to it there are Redskins fans
yeah I'm a fan
so they've numbed themselves to that so
much that you know you have these
politicians who are supposed to
represent all people saying I'm a
Redskins fan some newspapers restricted
or banned the use of the name Redskins
[Music]
in Minnesota the State Board of
Education asked schools to stop using
American Indian symbols and some
universities were doing the same Eastern
Michigan Southern Colorado st. John's
Marquette and Bradley University all
eventually dropped their Indian
references yet the University of
Illinois continued to hold firm but soon
the pressure increased three fellow
members of the Big Ten Conference the
universities of Wisconsin Minnesota and
Iowa decided to take a stand against
American Indian mascots being
politically correct to merely appease a
minority group of individuals and is not
in and of itself an appropriate position
to take I think it's a matter of
understanding how people feel about
something they love and people love
cheap the line away but we love our
chief that's what they say of course you
love him you manufactured him see that's
not our image that's not our perception
of ourselves it's their perception of
who we are alumni reactions began to
come in and the message seemed to be no
money to the University without chief
Illiniwek
I'm sure that contributions would would
diminish these people that I'm talking
about or are very very generous
contributors to the university all alone
and in very very generous contributions
poured into the university the
recommendation from the inclusiveness
committee was dropped according to a
university spokesperson it was not an
academic recommendation still one
University alumnus decided to take
control
state representative Rick Winkle
proposed a law that would guarantee
chief Illiniwek as the official symbol
of the University of Illinois we have a
rich heritage in this country especially
over the past few decades of protecting
minority rights and I think that that's
important that we continue to do that
but minority rights aren't always right
my people pay to their blood to have
anything left and so I have to guard and
protect it so that we have it for those
generations yet unborn and I and I owe
it to those I owe it to my children I
owe it to myself
you
led her to Washington Redskins fans
owners Daniel Snyder address what he
believes is a sympathetic audience
defending the name of the Redskins
Snyder says it's who we are
he writes Washington Redskins is more
than a name we have called our football
team for over eight decades it is a
symbol of everything we stand for
strength courage pride and respect the
same values we know guide Native
Americans and which are embedded
throughout their rich history as the
original Americans
well one Native American group quickly
responded by saying Snyder clearly does
not understand the consequences here
Stephen a I'll ask you this first cuz
we're putting Daniel Snyder on the hook
does it sound like he's willing to
change the name at all it does not it
does it didn't come across that way at
all to me a matter of fact I thought
that he made a case for keeping the name
I think that the letter that he wrote
you know I spoke to numerous guys
remember I've got family and friends in
the Washington DC area some of whom are
Redskins fans that loved his letter to
the fans they absolutely positively
applauded it and so when you take that
into consideration it doesn't come
across as him making any move whatsoever
towards modifying things and changing
the team's name and eradicating Redskins
from the football and the National
Football League vernacular I got to tell
you skip that for me it's incredibly
challenging for me to continue to take
the position that I've taken for so long
and that is that this name should be
changed obviously to some degree I still
feel that way but I'm not Native
American and when I read this letter
it does provoke me and it does gives it
gives me cause to pause because when you
consider the fact that he's saying right
here skip if you think about this right
here I'm reading I got to let it right
in front of me it's talking about how
you know 81 years ago you know in 1932
the team's name was the Boston Braves
the following year the franchise was
changed to the Boston Red skins on that
inaugural Redskins team four players and
I had coach when Native Americans then
he goes on and say a little bit later
that are the the Annenberg Public Policy
Center poll nearly 1,000 self-identified
Native American
from across the continental US and found
that 90% of Native Americans did not
find the team name Washington Redskins
to be offensive The Associated Press 79
percent of the respondents from a 2013
poll stated the Redskins should not
change their name I mean I'm looking at
this stuff a article in The Washington
Post
I'm sorry poor woody a comments for the
Richmond times-dispatch interviewed
Native Americans and you know from the
infinitive virginia area that also
didn't find that name offensive it does
lend itself towards validating the
position that daniel snyder has taken
that you know what excuse me this this
name is not offensive they themselves
are saying it's not offensive see I was
under the impression and I continue to
some degree to believe that there are an
abundance of Native Americans that
vehemently find this to be an offensive
label and as a result I my thinking is
if it's offensive then something needs
to be done about it because we live in a
society where we're trying to eradicate
all of that stuff and anything that's
offensive to somebody somebody outside
the offended party doesn't get to define
what's offensive to that offended party
but if Native Americans themselves are
standing up and saying this is not
offensive to us we take pride in the
Washington Redskins name then that's a
different argument so again I don't know
if everything that daniel snyder wrote
and has led it to the fans is true but
if it is true and Native Americans
themselves a vast majority of them are
saying this is not offensive then I even
though I still AM I'm still a bit shaky
about it skip it's hard for me to stand
up vehemently proclaiming that it is
something that the Washington Redskins
need to change if indeed Native
Americans are out there saying it
doesn't need to be changed because I'm
not a Native American I don't know
engine Redskins change their name
because some say it is racist
sportscaster Bob Costas today took to
the editorial page of the LA Times to
defend his recent attack on the team
here are his original remarks during
halftime last Sunday Redskins can't
possibly honor a heritage or a 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 dana loesch is a
conservative radio talk show host and
Richard Fowler is hosted the progressive
radio show the Richard Fowler show thank
you both so much for being here so Dana
let me start with you because you
actually do have Native American
heritage your thoughts on it yeah and
Meghan it always seems that the people
who are the the most far removed from
this are the ones who want to talk about
it the loudest in terms of being close
to American Indian culture there was a
2004 Annenberg poll which was released
and it was they polled American Indians
and 90 plus percent of them had no
problem with this sports team name and
it bothers me because every single time
we talk about American Indian issues and
I don't know my family has heritage and
they were listed on the rolls and they
were moved on the trail of genocide over
to reservations but whenever it seems we
talk about these issues it's always like
some politically correct cosmetic
band-aid we're never talking about
suicide rates we're not talking about
addictions we're not talking about
unemployment in the American Indian
community we're talking about stuff like
this I mean changing the name of a
football team isn't going to do anything
to remedy years of bad policy and all of
the things that are wrong with what's
plaguing these particular people
castas came out today and doubled down
on that that commentary and he was
responding in part to an opinion piece
written by Jonah Goldberg of National
Review Online and he and and Jonah said
look if you're gonna get rid of
Washington Redskins better be prepared
to get rid of a whole bunch of things
including he said how about getting rid
of the sea in n-double-a-cp right
because like that's colored and that's
now considered racist as well I mean
your thoughts on that Richard I got to
tell you thanks for having me one Meghan
but I got to agree on one point here
that Dana makes is the point that the
Native American community in
indigenous people community has taken
has had a lot of struggle and a lot of
strife but there's a lot of native
Native Americans who believe that we
need to check that the Redskins need to
change their name I reached out to the
Native youth leadership Alliance and
they indicated that this name and these
type of racial slurs and connotations
have caused depression issues amongst
Native youth and I think we've got to
work on correcting that now I think
there's a distinction between taking the
word colored out of the n-double a-c-p
and using a racial slur to describe a
football team and i think that is the
argument that a lot of folks are trying
to make and I think that's the argument
the Bob Costas is trying to make when he
released his art his op-ed today but his
point Dana jonna's is that you know the
words take on a fence if you make them
take on a fence I mean for years in this
country we said and and nobody
knew that was gonna be offensive
and then suddenly little people decided
that that was an offensive term and now
you're no longer allowed to say that
because it's offensive I mean it depends
on who he asking when you ask him well
yeah and especially when you look at the
historical use of this term I mean this
was a term there was a book out from one
of the senior linguists over at the
Smithsonian Institute it's called I am a
and it charts how that term came
to be how that came to be an American
expression and it was a term that
actually came from Native Americans and
it was first recorded by French traders
and they heard American Indians using
this phrase amongst themselves Sitting
Bull himself said I am a red man the
Great Spirit had intended me to be a
white man he would have made me there
are a number of different Indian tribes
that have come out and said we don't
have a problem with this the people who
have a problem with this are people like
Bob Costas and they're people like these
white anglo-saxon Protestant liberals
whenever whenever these issues come up
about American Indians everybody wants
to talk about political correctness
so this Washington Redskins nickname
debate it just won't go away so let's
talk about it now with Terrence Moore
he's a sports contributor to cnn.com and
a columnist for mlb.com Terrance NFL
Commissioner Roger Goodell seems to be
evolving on this in the past he has
defended the name but this week Goodell
said we need to listen carefully listen
and make sure we're doing what's right
and President Obama even weighed in and
told the AP that if he owned the team he
think about changing the name so
Terrence is it now just a matter of time
before the name Redskins goes away well
let's start with this when you have the
most powerful person on the world saying
they should change the name that's Roger
Goodell no actually Barack Obama and the
second most powerful man on the face of
the earth the Commissioner of the NFL
perhaps and Roger Goodell saying that he
thinks they should consider it is going
to get done and and I'll tell you what
Don this is somewhat analogous to what
you've been dealing with the last few
weeks with the government shutdown right
now
whereas daniel snyder who is the risky
ins owner it's sort of like the house
republicans is not a matter of if he's
going to change the name as a matter of
when it's gonna happen and how it's
gonna happen
hmm Redskins owner Dan Snyder told USA
Today that the team would never and he
said you can use capital letter said
never change its name I mean you just
said it's a matter of when but you think
he's gonna eat his words yeah I mean
because I mean NEVER is a very very
strong word you know and and Daniel
Snyder is taking this hard-line stance
in the past you know similar to like
George Wallace standing in front of that
that schooled or fifty years ago and now
he's kind of evolved into a sort of a a
kind of gentler type stance and we just
a few days ago Snyder just said that he
can understand why people would be be
upset that he could sympathize with them
so you could see some movement even with
Dan Snyder hmm okay sand just the
Redskins in Dallas play later tonight
correct that's true
so what could they change their name to
that would that would make at least some
fans happy I mean the Warriors the
Senators yeah well you know it's got to
think what would please Daniel Snyder
and remember all these guys
these NFL owners they have huge egos so
I'm serious when I say this down they
should change the name and name them
after daniel snyder call him the
washington Snyder's okay and for anybody
out there who's laughing remember
there's a precedent for this Yeah right
but in the National Football League I
mean you got the Cleveland Browns and
the Browns were named after their
original owner Paul Brown so just do it
call it a day and everybody's happy yeah
it's a tough one because if if a certain
group of people are offended by
something then you should probably
respect what they have to say if Native
Americans are offended by this and we
should that's exactly right and people
always say well done how would you feel
I've been asked this question before how
would you feel if it was the black skins
or the brown skins
I'm not easily offended that wouldn't
offend me because I have brown skin and
in the summer I have black skin so none
of that would offend me but red skins
might offend Native Americans and we
should be mindful and respect sure no
course what about
Weitere ähnliche Videos ansehen
ประวัติศาสตร์ชนพื้นเมืองอเมริกัน (ไม่ใช่อินเดียนแดง!) | Point of View
Art Is… Decolonizing Landscape Painting
The Tragedy of the Native American Boarding Schools | William Kent Krueger
Vine Deloria on Native Americans (1972)
The Natives and the English - Crash Course US History #3
Poverty USA - Native Americans - 16 Nov 07
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)