Indian Logo’s that are used in school sports at any level were intended to invoke fear into the hearts of their opponents. Barbara Munson wrote in her selection about the use of Indian Logo’s as a vehicle of institutional racism. As Ms. Munson is Indian, she makes some very good points about how her family has been treated over the years and her views of Indian Logo’s in schools. Old western movies portrayed Native Americans in a bad way and no one has attempted to put a stop to that. But old western movies don’t have years of tradition behind them.
But, when you take a second look at this controversy problem, I for one realised that reading this article has many Native Americans on edge with people discriminating them, has turned into a heavily disputed arguement. The controversy shows how we represent Native Americans with athletic sports. All coaches, and teammates feel they respect Native Americans and honor the name by representing them as their team name or mascot. On the other hand Native Americans feel that their ancestors and themselves are being demeaned. To find a solution to this controversy we must look at what people say about Native Americans, and we must listen to what Native Americans take it as offensive or as a compliment.
However, Heather brought up that she cannot stand the movie Peter Pan. I was surprised and asked her why. She got offended and said because it portrayed Native Americans as ugly and stupid with big noses. I completely forgot about the Indians in Peter Pan until Heather reminded me how they are falsely portrayed. Thus, when this media project got presented in class, I immediately thought of the conversation Heather and I had three years ago about the Native Americans in Peter Pan.
Interviewer: Do you feel angry when people make fun of your parents? Tiger: Yes, people that make fun of my parents anger me a lot. Most of the time, I just try to ignore the people because I know they are ignorant. 4. Interviewer: Tiger, how do the people in Saitter treat you?
Even long after they graduate, they will look back on their school days and see themselves as that mascot. As I look back at my days in high school and in college I will always call myself a Sentinel and a Golden Bear. In this case, one of the residents says how most of the community feels by stating that he felt "strength and determination" as a Redskin. He also says, "What I feel distasteful about all this, somehow we are made to feel wrong or dirty because of our logo…We have nothing to be ashamed of." The Native Americans feel as if this is a form of racism.
According to the article, Native American mascots bring more negativity than the luck they are supposed to bring, “…(1) they [mascots] reflect and reinforce stereotypes, (2) they harm Native Americans, and (3) Native Americans do not have control over them,” (IMHTNA). Native Americans are already stereotyped against by having “red skin and feathers in their hair.” Seeing this exact image portrayed by many school mascots reinforces these stereotypes and keeps people thinking close-mindedly. However, it’s not just recently begun to be a problem; Native Americans were treated harshly back in the 1800s as well. The United States government was cruel to Native Americans in more ways than one, “The soldiers attack your villages and kill your women, children, and old people,” (Lakota). In many cases, the United States government had agreed and signed a treaty with the Native Americans, but then had broken the treaty soon after.
Being a war-opponent and social activist, Howard Zinn’s most likely intention in writing “Unsung Heroes” was to educate people about the mistakes (and deliberate lies) that are, in his opinion, very common in the perception of American history. Also, he likely wanted to direct attention towards the un-credited but “true” heroes who may not be shining enough to fit the common definition of a hero, but who have made meaningful contributions and therefore deserve to be remembered. In any case, they are people who are not responsible for killings of native Americans or the suppressing of minorities. Despite the popularity of Zinn’s views and of “A Peoples History of the United States”, there is an opinion that Zinn is overly pessimistic in his interpretation of the past. Further, some people complain, as he states himself, that they feel “thoroughly alienated and depressed” after reading the book.
Her use of pathos in the beginning of the article creates a sarcastic tone for the rest of the article. “In recent pictures it's clear Angelina Jolie hasn't taken the time to learn or understand the long and painful history of African-American women and hair.” Right off the back Samuels directly insults Jolie. To go with the insult she discusses the history that African American women have with their hair. The author wants to make sure if the audience is ignorant about the subject as she believes Jolie is, then she is going to explain it to them. Her harsh diction is grabbing the audience’s attention and is also trying to get the audience to feel a particular way.
Then we have to show that we understand this. To fix this issue, I believe we must all emerge ourselves in the study of backgrounds. Learn about the ethical past of your neighbors. Non-Indian people may not be culturally aware that some cheerleading symbols, peace pipes, eagle feathers, war bonnets, and dances can be sacred to many American Indian tribal communities. Many mascots, logos, and nicknames represent stereotypical and racist images that demote American Indian people to a colonial version history.
My Life As A Native American Dear Amanda: Thank you for your recent letter inquiring about my thoughts on the continued discrimination of Native Americans in America. As you can imagine, being of Native American heritage, I find it completely unacceptable in this day and age for racism and discrimination to be so prevalent. As I am sure you may not be are aware, that the American Indians have suffered through acts of racism and discrimination longer than any other race of people in the United States. With that being said, let me share a little of my heritage with you so that you might better understand the issues my people faced during the European invasion as well as today. At one time in history it was believed that the population of the different Native American tribes in the United States ranged anywhere for ten to ninety million people.