Positive Stereotypes - Blake Hickman

     Native American mascots have been a popular topic in the sports world today. Growing up people viewed mascots of sports teams as figures to represent their programs in a proud way; especially Native American mascots. A Native American mascot represents a team to be fearless and vicious fighters and teams need players, like that, who isn’t scared to go against competition. In a Sport Illustrated article called Indian Wars, it had a section talking about positive stereotypes of the Native American mascots and how Americans view them in a positive way. Native Americans are known to be involved spiritually and known to be deeply connected to nature. Americans are not as connected to those aspects in life like Native Americans are. Some universities have chosen to use Native American mascots to honor the Native American culture and to show how we view them as a people who are strong and willing to fight for what is there’s. Americans like to see someone who is willing to take pride and be dominating, that’s why for some schools and professional teams they use Native American mascots; not to make them look bad or to despise them. 

     What make these positive stereotypes is because we are used to seeing Indians in movies and books as being fearless, protective and proud of where they come from.  The main stereotype we use for Native American mascots is “bloodthirsty savage.” This stereotype may sound negative toward Native Americans but it is not meant to be negative towards Native Americans. This stereotype is linked to the athletic qualities such as having a fighting spirit, being aggressive, brave, and proud. Mentioned before teams all look for players who have those qualities in them. Using Native American mascot not only represents the sports programs in a positive way but also in the classroom. Like Native Americans take pride of their culture, students have to take pride in their school and focus hard in the classroom. That bloodthirsty stereotype might not be as appealing to Native Americans but it’s a way we can honor their culture and use that to drive players and students to be better.

     These stereotypes are meant to embrace the positive things about their culture and not think about the negative ones, like being ruthless or nature lovers. Just like with African Americans embracing their positive stereotypes as being good at dancing, singing and sport and not focusing on negative ones like being lazy and being criminals. Also, Asian American embraces the stereotype of being more intelligent and hardworking. They don’t embrace the stereotypes of being bad drivers or evil.  So even though Native Americans may not agree was the tribute of the Chief before the Florida State or Illinois games, it’s a way Americans show honor to Indian cultures that were here before us.

Native Americans are proud of their culture and schools use them to help students become more embracive of their schools. Schools choosing Native American mascots and using them to make people take pride in their everyday lives are ways to encourage Native Americans to accept these positive stereotypes. 

 

According to the article, Indian Wars, the mascot’s stereotypes lead most to conclude that the Native American mascots are not racist. Many mascot supporters think that these mascots are actually countering racism by showing pride of and honoring Native Americans.  I agree with that because when you think of someone being racist you think more about the negative ways towards a racial group. These mascots are meant to show how people can be determined like Native American’s culture.  When I see Florida State’s mascot and the tribute they do before every football game, I see a man riding a horse who is ready for battle and ready to protect his land. Florida State goes on the field and protects it by giving it all they have and having that fighting spirit. I don’t see anything negative towards Native Americans and their culture. Native Americans should try and look at it this way because today some take it as disrespect because they think regular Americans are mocking them and showing that they are people who are ruthless and not prideful in where they come from.

     In conclusion, these ideas of the Native Americans are ways to show how Americans view Native Americans in a positive way. In the sport world we use that type of mascot to show dominance and to intimidate the competition. We don’t use those mascots to disrespect them or make them less them us. Something like this won’t change overnight because Native Americans still don’t find it as appealing to have. Native Americans is a culture that most people respect and I’m one of those who respects their way of living because I take pride in where I come from and I’m protective of my family. These stereotypes, having a fighting spirit, aggressive and pride are all things I try to have while playing baseball and just having those for my everyday life. Native American is important to this country and it’s time for them to see this and it starts with them accepting these positive stereotypes about their culture.

Link
http://jss.sagepub.com/search/results?fulltext=The+Indian+wars&x=0&y=0&submit=yes&journal_set=spjss&src=selected&andorexactfulltext=and