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Native mascots: Right or wrong?
Results so far:
| Right | 56% | 466 votes | Total: 828 votes | |
| Wrong | 44% | 362 votes |
Right
by Sherrill Fulghum
Created on: July 31, 2008
In an age where political correctness rules over all words and language, it seems like all a person has to do to stir up some controversy is state that they do not like the name of something. Thus was the case in recent years over Native names for sports teams. In many cases it was not the name that was really at issue but the mascot or logo that accompanied that name. For example; a Native portrayed in a respectful manner is not a problem, but an idiotic depiction of a Native person as a logo or as a mascot is an issue.
Unfortunately; instead of taking issue with the team in question, there were people who chose to lump all teams into the same basket and call them all offensive without even looking into the circumstances revolving around the team and the name. Contrary to what some of these people want to think or believe not all sports teams arbitrarily chose a Native name without first getting permission or being respectful to the tribes in question.
I am a proud Florida State Seminole fan and alumnus. I display my colours and our logo with no problem or disrespect. One reason I can do so is because I KNOW the story behind the name. When the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) passed a mandate that team using Native names should change those names to what they deemed less offensive Florida State received a waiver once the story was also revealed to the powers that be in the NCAA.
The Florida State Seminoles has a live mascot named Chief Osceola with a horse named Renegade. Before each home game Chief Osceola rides out onto the football field in full regalia holding a flaming spear which he plants in the middle of the field. The costume worn by Chief Osceola was donated to the university by the Seminole tribe of Florida for the mascot to wear. The Florida Seminole tribe gave Florida State permission to use the name Seminoles. Permission was not asked of the Oklahoma tribes which caused some of them to protest which again stirred up some controversy. A percentage of every item sold containing the Seminole logo whether it be the university name or a depiction of the mascot is given to the Seminole tribe of Florida and the university routinely offers scholarships for free education to members of the Seminole tribe. Florida State University and the Seminole tribe of Florida have a close friendly relationship which is continually evolving to benefit both parties.
How can any of this be seen as offensive or disrespectful to the tribal name or the people of the tribe? The spirit of the Florida State Seminoles embodies the spirit of the Seminole people. Recently the Florida State Seminoles honoured the Seminole tribe with Unconquered Spirit. This can only be a good thing. Being politically correct has its place but like anything else should be tempered with wisdom an restraint. If a particular team portrays a logo or mascot that is deemed offensive then deal with that particular incident and stop lumping everyone together as one; that is a truly disrespectful action.
Learn more about this author, Sherrill Fulghum.
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Wrong
by Jason Martin
Created on: May 10, 2009 Last Updated: May 13, 2009
The use of most mascot names, and indigenous species in particular is silly and ridiculous. While many defame the practice as some influence or misuse of the original name, I content that they are basically meaningless because the subject usually bears no real resemblence in fact or practice to the group or specie that it is named after.
Consider this with sports teams. While there have been many teams named after native American tribes, there are almost never any team members which have that natural origin. The native tribe probably never played the subject game, and the players probably have little or no skill in the real-life skills of the native people. The same is true of naming teams after animals. The players have no real resemblence to the animals in look or skill.
The American obsession with sports teams has reached a ridiculous level, and this abstract argument about the political correctness of the naming shows just how far it has gone. Sports, like religion, are somewhat the opiate of the masses. It occupies the masses time and energy so that they don't have time and energy to see what is really happening to their societies.
Most team sports are a zero sum game in that every contest has a winner and a loser. Basing ones allegiance on who is happening to have an uptrend at the moment is totally meaningless. In the long run, all things will equal out. The regional affection is also misplaced since few of the players in any professional team is really 'from' the subject area. It's more a matter of what team can buy the best talent. The track record of any professional team is usually more in line with its budget than any regional affiliation or symbology of its name.
So, back to the topic, is it right or wrong to use some native name or the name of an animal? While both are equally false and baseless, it hardly seems a worthy use of time to argue the issue. Native groups might be complimented by the wanted association, but beyond that why even worry about it. As for the animals, perhaps they have always had the best response to having their name used. Nothing. Just go on without regard.
I wonder how many teams even bother to assess the qualities of the namesake that they take on. You see countless soccer, baseball and other teams named after very interesting animals, but do the team members really even know the qualities that make that animal unique? Do the members of the "Pirates" know any history of piracy or the famous figures in the history? For that matter, do most of those who now call themselves "Americans" even have much of an idea of what that illustrious title means?
Learn more about this author, Jason Martin.
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