Indian/American Indian/Native American Mascot Debate

I still am on both sides of this issue. To me it depends on what the mascot looks like, how they a presenting it, if they are mocking spirituality or not in the use of it, if they are being respectful in their uses of it... Thanks for Sharing, - DNatureofDTrain

I am thinking of School Spirit, and Team Playing Mascots. Now if Your school is all Native American 100% and based on Native Culture.. Then I do not see anything wrong with Native Mascots of that situation. But if its a school That is all White, using Native Mascots... Or all Native American using White people as mascots depicted like a sterotypical Redneck.. then people would be upset over that. However, in Native Cultures and Traditions, Many people do not realise how important the way they dressed, and danced for certain things is... So it goes deep into insulting Religion, Cultural Traditions, Family heirlooms, Etc.. No one wants to See their culture or heritage depicted in the wrong manner. Althought it is strange to get upset over cartoon character drawings to some... But the truth is people need to be more culturally aware. Thanks all for responding. - DNatureofDTrain

I Think it depends on how the cartoon is drawn. Some are pretty well done, and nice, others are not. I think if a person wants to represent themselves with a cartoon caracture or their own relatives, or culture. I have no problem with that. But we need to be very careful with crossing the lines of how we do cartoons, and images.. As it deeply offends, and wounds people in many ways. I Have American Indian blood, and I know I am hurt often by the Blond Haired blue eyed sterotype. "There are no blond haired blue eyed Indians" Is one that was thrown into my face all growing up.. Which is not true. The issue with Mascots is they are using Sterotypes, and Exaggerating them, and mimicking Exaggerations at times of Sacred Rituals, and this is a no no. However, this goes both ways. My family and I were at powwows and Saw all These T-Shirts, and Stuff with Saying Bashing Custer, and demeaning Caracatures... My Dad then said... How come they can sell T-Shirts like that, but if we were to sell one with there warriors on it we'd get into deep crap? ... I said Dad, I don't know but I think it's wrong. People want to make people not use Mascots, or images from their culture, or caracatures, they should be respecting enough not to do the same to other cultures... But I am also for freedom of speech, and art, etc... But I do feel very sad to see exaggerated sterotypes of any people.... - DNatureofDTrain