Before this topic gets locked, just to be clear I got this ok'd with Mike. Please keep racial/poltical discussion out of this because I really would like a good basis for my paper.
I'm in a Sociology of Sport class and decided to write my 10 page paper on the use of Indian names/mascots. I'm primarily focusing on the University of Illinois and its former mascot, Chief Illiniwek. Do people agree with recent rulings to ban the use of "the Chief?" Do you guys think we are become too politically correct or do you believe that these types of mascots are demeaning?
Personally, while I am an incredibly open-minded person, I don't believe in using Native American mascots/names. I would only condone it if for example, an entire tribe such as the Seminoles came out and gave their blessing that would be fine to keep the Seminoles as the mascot of Florida State. In the case of University of Illinois however, the dress that Chief Illinwek wore for most of the tenure was actually from the Sioux tribe and the "dance" was a combination of moves that by-in-large white men had adopted throughout the years of them being "the Chief."
Also, I think when you have a people that were closely related to the Illiniwek tribes such as the tribe in Oklahoma (name escapes me) and they are largely opposed, I think you must accomodate their wishes. I think a name like the "Redskins" is also highly offensive but thats just my opinion.
To people that make arguments about Fighting Irish and such...I think its very different because it toes the line between race and ethnicity. I believe there is a big difference between calling a team the Notre Dame Blacks or calling the team the Notre Dame Fighting Irish IMO. But that is ALL I'm going to say about any type of race discussion.
Anyway, that's my .02 cents. If anybody wants to call me "too PC" or whatever, than so be it. But I really want other people's thoughts and feelings about this issue to make a good paper.
If this gets out of hand for some reason, lock it.
Thanks fellas.
I'm in a Sociology of Sport class and decided to write my 10 page paper on the use of Indian names/mascots. I'm primarily focusing on the University of Illinois and its former mascot, Chief Illiniwek. Do people agree with recent rulings to ban the use of "the Chief?" Do you guys think we are become too politically correct or do you believe that these types of mascots are demeaning?
Personally, while I am an incredibly open-minded person, I don't believe in using Native American mascots/names. I would only condone it if for example, an entire tribe such as the Seminoles came out and gave their blessing that would be fine to keep the Seminoles as the mascot of Florida State. In the case of University of Illinois however, the dress that Chief Illinwek wore for most of the tenure was actually from the Sioux tribe and the "dance" was a combination of moves that by-in-large white men had adopted throughout the years of them being "the Chief."
Also, I think when you have a people that were closely related to the Illiniwek tribes such as the tribe in Oklahoma (name escapes me) and they are largely opposed, I think you must accomodate their wishes. I think a name like the "Redskins" is also highly offensive but thats just my opinion.
To people that make arguments about Fighting Irish and such...I think its very different because it toes the line between race and ethnicity. I believe there is a big difference between calling a team the Notre Dame Blacks or calling the team the Notre Dame Fighting Irish IMO. But that is ALL I'm going to say about any type of race discussion.
Anyway, that's my .02 cents. If anybody wants to call me "too PC" or whatever, than so be it. But I really want other people's thoughts and feelings about this issue to make a good paper.
If this gets out of hand for some reason, lock it.
Thanks fellas.
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