Indigenous Mascots Did you know that Indians are the 7th most common mascot for schools, even though it can be considered racist, (“100 most frequently used mascots” mascots.com). This is discriminating against Native Americans because it is putting them into the same category as an animal. So how can we pay respect back to the Native Americans? Indian mascots are racist and they should not be used as school's mascot. More than 10,000 students in Kansas reported that they find their Indian mascot to be lowering their self esteem and limit how they see their future, (Olympus Mascots). It is disturbing that kids are hurt by mascots almost mocking their culture and ethnicity. Understand that just because of a mascot kids don’t believe they have a future and people might not take them seriously in the world, …show more content…
“Schools use these as ways to honor them for being brave and to look at them as a leader,” (“Native American mascot controversy”). This is a good idea, but students don’t think any students think this is the reason for the name. If the school really had this idea in mind they would do more to dignify it. But from what I’ve experienced it is that schools don’t really honor other teams' mascots. They have posters and chants going against the opponents mascot in a disrespectful way. This side is incorrect because although it is a great idea of what the mascot is supposed to symbolize, it is not what it comes across as and many find it offensive. A study was done at the University of California and they found that “Out of 1,000 Native Americans a little over half found it offensive,” (“Study Shows Much Opposition to Native American Mascots, Names”). This means that 50% of Native Americans are offended by this, why would there even be a controversy? Schools need to understand that people don’t find the mascot as a “leader” but as racist, (The University