Native American Mascot Controversy - Argument Opposing The Use of Native American Mascots

Argument Opposing The Use of Native American Mascots

Opponents of Native American mascots feel that the mascots breed insensitivity and misunderstanding about native people. Opponents also highlight the seeming double standard for human beings as mascots where there are no mascots based on African Americans, or Asian Americans depicted in sports. The University of Notre Dame’s “Fighting Irish." and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's "Ragin' Cajuns" represent ethnic groups, but are exceptions in using symbols that represent segments of Euro-Americans culture historically, using their own images and symbols. Universities that were founded to educate Native Americans are exceptions on the same basis. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke continues to have a substantial number of native students, and close ties to the Lumbee tribe. Their nickname is the Braves, but the mascot is a Red-Tailed Hawk. The Fighting Indians of the Haskell Indian Nations University continues to participate in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference.