Jessica D

Mascots

            Mascots have always been a problem where I live, left and right you see schools changing their mascots because it offended somebody. But when are people going to learn that we can’t all agree on something, everything is going to upset someone.  I am from Arlee, MT and my mascot is the Arlee Warriors, and when we walk into another school we hold our heads high because we are The Warriors. My point is that when a school has a mascot, you cannot take that away from them and expect them to still feel the same about their school, and you can’t please everyone.

            Arlee is on the reservation and everyone here respects that, we also respect our mascot that is a Native American Warrior head. All of the junior high and high school show up with honor as the strut their stuff into a new school with their mascot big and on the front of their jersey. Now imagine if that was all taken away from us? Would we still walk as tall then? Probably not, we would be disappointed with the change. Everyone would laugh at the new found mascot; we would be covered in shame. Nobody wants to have pride in one thing and have it ripped away from them and expected them to honor it the same way. Pride is something that is earned; you can’t place a new face for them and want the same school spirit. It takes time to acquire pride and honor, we have got that now.

            Next I would like to point out that not everyone is going to agree on one mascot. There is always going to be that one person that is going to be offended by everything. For example I remember two years ago we stopped saying the pledge of allegiance because the part where it says “Under God We Trust” was taken in offence. Were we going to change it? No, we just stopped, upset that something that I have grown up doing every morning was taken away because of one complaint. So why should a few complaints take away the mascot? Not everyone is going to like what we are proud of. We should hold our heads high and show what we are made of no matter how many people we upset. Because this is what we are and we should be able to show off of what we are truly made of. Not something that somebody else thinks is more “Appropriate”.

            Now I do realize there is a fine line of mockery and honor. There is a place where we do need to stand, but across that line is mockery and that is disrespectful. But then again who sets that fine line? Is it the Native Americans on the reservation, is it the majority of the people, or should it be based upon the school faculty and students? No one knows, but we all have a part in this school and it should be based upon on everyone’s opinion.

            So my question for you is what side do you want to take? Will you go the way of pride and honor or do you believe that we are mocking a lot of people’s ancestors? Or are you in the easy middle. Whatever you are I encourage you to fight for what you believe, and let people know what you think.

Nakeya S

Mascots

           

Mascots, why do we always get so offended when we hear this word, or when we see School logos? Why is there such an uproar when it comes to school mascots?  I don’t think there should be an argument. There’s always going to be those kind of people who think mascots are racists or insulting. Then there are people who just don’t care.

I don’t think it’s racist when a school has a mascot named after Indians, because here on the Indian Reservation people know what you mean and they are not offended. My friend brought this up when I ask how she felt about the school mascot. “We have been using the mascots for a long time and I haven’t heard people complain about it, until now.” When your not living on a reservation its different. To you it might sound racists or offensive because you don’t want to go around saying hey look at those Warriors, Chiefs, and Savages.

            Some Indians think that when a school has a mascot named after Indian names its insulting. In 2007 the Ronan Chiefs and Maiden’s had to go through such a problem. Francine Dupuis a concerned member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, thought the school shouldn’t have its sports teams named Chief and Maidens. “A Chief is a revered and respected member of the tribe, not someone who dresses up in feathers and runs around the field.” While the Ronan school board thought that the school should feel nothing but pride to have such mascot names.

            Hot Springs Savage Heat also faced the same thing, because the word “Savage” offended a lot of people. While they were agreeing on a different logo, the school heard that Ronan was already having problems with their mascot. To save people the trouble they changed the dream catcher and Savages, to Savage Heat with the logo of a flaming letter H.  Taylor Wood who was a senior when they changed the mascot said. “…We thought we better change it before we were forced to.”

I’m with the both schools on this one, because I honestly think that a school should be honored and not forced to change their mascots. I personally think that when there are no more Indians alive, at least our mascots will live on. Its’ like giving our mascot names immortality.

            I don’t think we should make a big deal out of this argument about mascots. There is no point in it, why should we make one person who takes it offensive happy when the majority of the people didn’t even think it was offensive until that one person came along. It would also cost a lot more to change a mascot because then you would have to spend thousands on a new gym logo, team uniforms, and new advertising. That is a lot of work for a school, that one person who complained about the mascot name doesn’t see how much work it can be. So when you get offended please think about how much work and money goes into pleasing one person opinion

Sam L

Mascots

          Colleges and universities are not only known for their academics. You don't see people wandering around wearing department shirts to support their institution. Everywhere you look you can pick out at least one person wearing a team logo or a team’s name. Think about the feelings that would arise if you found out that a favorite team of yours had to change their name and mascot due to its meaning. For the students attending the University of North Dakota this is an issue they had to face.

          A couple of years ago the University of North Dakota went through a lawsuit because of their school mascot the 'Fighting Sioux'. Some of the Sioux tribes thought that the name was disrespectful, and critics even viewed the name racially offensive. Although isn’t the opposite. Would it not be better to have a mascot that originates from a strong source? I believe it makes more sense, to be nationally recognized than hidden in the shadows. Unfortunately not everyone thinks this way.

          Personally I could not sit here and choose a side. I wasn't able to make up my mind whether i would be okay with changing a team’s name and mascot or keep it for its history's sake. So I sought others for answers. When it comes down to it everybody has their own interpretation of things. What one person may say is disrespectful and racist may mean honor and admiration to someone else. i, like many of the UND students am proud of my mascot. Gina Anderson a UND senior said "When the Fighting Sioux lawsuit came about, I had never really thought one way or the other about the nickname, it was a nickname just as any other. But once people started making such a big deal out of it, I became very defensive over the name. I am proud to be a 'Fighting Sioux,' and I think the majority of the campus would agree with me that the name should stay." Just because a few individuals do not agree with the name does not mean that it should be taken away from everybody else. Another senior who attended the North Dakota State University commented "I feel the name change is completely unnecessary. The 'Fighting Sioux' name should be looked upon as a compliment. The name reflects power and pride. I never understood why the name was considered offensive, and I don't think I ever will." -Amanda Booke.

          Although the pros of this situation outweigh the cons, you still have to stop and think where do you draw the line. If the name 'Fighting Sioux' is really racist towards the tribes’ heritage should the University continue to use it and truly disrespect the Sioux Nation?

Tayla D

Mascots

                The use of mascots, are they offensive or derogatory? Do mascots upset or define a race? In the case of Arlee Warriors or Ronan Chiefs, mascots could be derogatory, depending on how the school defines mascots and chooses to represent mascots.  I can see it being disrespectful if students were running around with war bonnets on acting wildly.  I do not see that though.  I believe we use our name to make us feel strong and better.  The definition of a warrior is a brave or experienced soldier or fighter.  Why is being called a warrior so upsetting?  The definition of a chief is a leader or ruler of a people or clan.  We want our schools to have strong valuable names, right?

            In the case of Hot Springs when they use to be called the Savages, I believe, derogatory and possibly made a person believe Natives were ‘Savages’.  The definition of savage is fierce, violent, and uncontrolled; or a member of a people regarded as primitive and uncivilized. I find being called a ‘savage’ immensely offensive. Over time Hot Springs have changed the name now to Savage Heat, but I think they should eliminate the word savage completely out of there.

                I can understand a non-native feeling awkward when claiming he or she is a warrior or chief.  He or she may or may feel that way.  Mascots should be all about school pride and how your school represents itself.  If a certain tribe has a problem with a school using their name, should not have one, personally.  For instance, the Fighting Sioux caused controversy among the Sioux tribe.  My understanding is the tribe thought it was racial and offensive.  I do not see why, though.  The tribe should feel honored that a school would want to represent their name.  I will continue to agree with keeping the Fighting Sioux, until I understand the Sioux tribes concern in using the name.

            I do question myself if Charlo Vikings and other names offend non-natives.  Mascots goes and represents the same way for them. The definition of a Viking is the Scandinavian seafaring pirates and traders who raided and settled in many parts of northwestern Europe in the 8^th-11^th centuries.  This may cause other nationalities to think of them as ‘raiders.’ Caucasians and Natives can have the same problems conflicting mascots, but it all reflects back on how people chose to represent it in the schools and the community.  Sometimes I feel this whole mascot racial conflict has gone way out of control.  Some should not be so easily offended, if that is the right phase.     

            Also a school that represents a Native figure should require students to take, at least a semester of Indian studies or history so they get a better understanding of ‘their’ mascot.  If you do not already live on a reservation it should be required in high school and college.  All schools in Montana are required to integrate Native American studies into all subject areas and all grade levels.  Other states like North Dakota, Idaho, Washington, should all require the study too.  Until I start to see noticeable racial problems, the mascots do not bother me.  Schools should continue to use mascots representing Native Americans.