The Pros And Cons Of American Indian Mascots
Fryberg and Watts argue that American Indian mascots are harmful to actual American Indians, and that they should be gotten rid of. They argue that these inaccurate displays affect their mental health negatively, and make them not know who they and their people truly are. I agree that American Indian mascots should be thrown out because they are disrespectful cultural-appropriation and as it is actually hurting people, then it should not be allowed. It is disgusting that white people still think that these things are okay. If a team were called the “American Crackers” and had an obese white mascot eating a hamburger and fries, they would probably be offended because “Not all white people are fat and eat burgers!” On that note, not all American Indians
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These mascots also help spread and continue stereotypes because “most Americans have no direct or personal experience with contemporary American Indians” (463). The mascots and inaccurate depictions of American Indians are not only harming the psychological well-being of the minority by making it difficult for them to form an individual identity as well as a group identity, but are also keeping the majority from forming well-educated opinions and attitudes towards them. All parties involved are harmed because it further separates them and keeps them from being able to coexist and work together on issues that affect them all. If the minority was not misrepresented and their real issues were not ignored, then the properly educated majority could help raise a voice for their rights (as the voice of the majority is listened to more than the voice of the minority, which is wrong). By allowing these mascots to continue “representing” and “honoring” American Indians, then the stereotypes are also being allowed to continue, and the majority is continuously
These mascots also help spread and continue stereotypes because “most Americans have no direct or personal experience with contemporary American Indians” (463). The mascots and inaccurate depictions of American Indians are not only harming the psychological well-being of the minority by making it difficult for them to form an individual identity as well as a group identity, but are also keeping the majority from forming well-educated opinions and attitudes towards them. All parties involved are harmed because it further separates them and keeps them from being able to coexist and work together on issues that affect them all. If the minority was not misrepresented and their real issues were not ignored, then the properly educated majority could help raise a voice for their rights (as the voice of the majority is listened to more than the voice of the minority, which is wrong). By allowing these mascots to continue “representing” and “honoring” American Indians, then the stereotypes are also being allowed to continue, and the majority is continuously