Native American Mascots and the White Perspective

The pain that Saigo speaks of, however, runs deeper than he may have thought.  In 2005, the American Psychological Association (APA) called for the immediate ban on Native American mascots in schools, athletic teams, and other organizations.  Former APA president, Dr. Ronald F. Levant understands that the eradicate racism, it must be eliminated from schools:  “The use of American Indian mascots as symbols in schools and university athletic programs is particularly troubling because schools are places of learning. These mascots are teaching stereotypical, misleading and too often, insulting images of American Indians. These negative lessons are not just affecting American Indian students; they are sending the wrong message to all students.”  Based on a growing body of social science literature, research has shown that racial stereotyping and inaccurate racial portrayals have a harmful effect on the development of social identity and self-esteem in young Native Americans. 

Research has also shown that the racial stereotypes found in mascots proves to be detrimental to young non-Native Americans.  Non-Native American children are susceptible to accepting the mascots as the true portrayal of Native Americans.  According to most students, Native Americans only survive in their history books.  Traditionally, very little information has been presented to students, but that information includes stereotypes that encourage children to ostracize those who appear different from themselves.  It teaches non-Native American children that it is acceptable to engage in culturally abusive behavior, as well as carry on inaccurate ideas about the Native American culture and community.  This discrimination can easily lead to negative relationships between members of the Native American community and members of the non-Native American community.  Those in the non-Native American community who have been educated on the real issues understand the pain it is causing, as well as attempt to eradicate the blatant racism found in negative portrayals of Native Americans.  According to Dr. Lisa Thomas of the APA Committee on Ethnic and Minority Affairs, “The discontinued use of American Indian mascots is a gesture to show that this kind of racism toward and the disrespect of, all people in our country and in the larger global context, will not be tolerated.”

Non-Native American parents and educators are beginning to understand the effect their school mascots have on their children.  The values of tolerance and respect in the schools are contradicted when a stereotyped image of a Native American leader represents the school’s sports team.  When educators take the time and initiative to help children “unlearn” their stereotypic views of Native Americans while teaching the truth, students become a valuable resource in the reformation of racist images in a place of education.  The opinion of non-Native American students, after an informed discussion of the truth behind Native American history, expresses an intolerance for racism.  Most students sympathize with Native Americans, upset by schools’ intentional decisions to choose blatantly racist mascots.  Some students, on the other hand, differentiate between mascots.  After thoughtful research, many argue that the University of Illinois’ Chief Illiniwek is not disrespectful, while the Cleveland Indians’ Chief Wahoo is an obvious caricature and therefore an offensive image.