> There seems to be a very fine line between was is and isn't
> appropriate (boy aren't I profound;]). Overall, I think the
> nickname of a team should reflect the cultural history of the
> region they represent. Miami could have a native-american
> type mascot, maybe something less demeaning than redskins.
So, should Clarkson change their name to the Golden Icemen? :)
(Sorry, I had to say it...)
I hope this doesn't get drawn into another PC debate. For those who were
not on the list last year, UMass-Lowell had to change from the Chiefs to
the River Hawks due to the outcry of native Americans in eastern
Massachusetts.
We all have different perspectives about nicknames, but I don't consider
"Redskins" to be demeaning. In a lot of cases, it does offend native
Americans. To me, it's just another description of a native American.
But, then again, I'm not a native American, so I wouldn't know how some
native Americans would interpret the word "redskin".
However, I don't think that the committee, person, (whatever) who
came up with the nicknames Redskins, Chiefs, Fighting Sioux, Seminoles, etc.
had in mind that American Indians were really bad, violent people. The
mascots are presented that way because of the supposed nature and drive
of their respective sports teams and to drive fear into their opponents!
Well, maybe not. Regardless, maybe North Dakotans should be proud of
their Sioux heritage, Floridians should be proud of their Seminole
heritage, and so on. My point is: I don't consider any Indian mascot
to be demeaning to the tribe or people it represents, nor do I think
that is the original way the school tried to represent them.
But, as I said, I'm not native American.....
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