In today's class, we began talking about sport's teams mascots. I had never really given this much thought before. In my high school, our main rival were the Sayre Redskins. Their mascot was an Indian with a large headdress. There have been no objections that I know of to this name. When I did notice that it might be a little insensitive, my aunt, who went to the school, said that they had been the Redskins for so long that no one could possible change it. I think that this is the issue. For so long, people have been insensitive to Native Americans and their plight. If things were to change, would people just respond with, "well, that's how it has always been"? I would hope not. Sometime now or in the future, it must change. I think the mascots are just the issue that people are focusing on. When looking online, I found a very helpful website run by the American Indian Sports Team Mascots organization (AISTM). This website had many resources and information on this issue. Here is the website: http://www.aistm.org/1indexpage.htm.
I believe that a major change must come for Native Americans. The government's perception must change on these issues, but I do think it will be very difficult to do so. Native Americans suffered a long train of abuses by the government over the years. For the government and the people of the United States to rectify the situation would become a watershed. This might prove to be difficult, for the government to admit past mistakes, and for people to overcome prejudicial ideas, so I think it will take many years to happen.
In response to Sam's post, and the satirical Alcatraz Proclamation, I feel like it was the right thing to do. After reading that, people would realize that the past was not fair to the native populations here. It effectively shared their point.
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