Native American Imagery Honors No One But The Prejudice By Amy Stretten

806 Words4 Pages

Separation or Equality "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." — The Declaration of Independence. If we are all created equal, then why do some of us feel superior and make fun of others. Although many people believe that it is fine to appropriate Native American Imagery, Amy Stretten strongly expresses that doing so is very offensive to Native Americans and should consequently be eliminated. In her essay, "Appropriating Native American Imagery Honors No One but the Prejudice," she urges everyone to cease from appropriating offensive imagery and to respect the people around …show more content…

Using the following statistic to back her case, she relates that, "Native American and Alaskan Native youth have the highest rates of suicide-related fatalities." (Stretten 523) Furthermore stating that this is the direct result of negative racial images and disrespectful, unprincipled, and immoral appropriation of stereotypical portrayals. Accompanying that, she also introduces information from the American Psychology Association which states that regarding American Indian mascots, "the stereotypical images were harmful for the development and self-esteem of American Indian students." But that isn't all, they also said that, "The portrayals had a negative effect on all students." (Stretten 524) Smartly using this essential quote, she supports her argument and thus provides undeniable statistics that condemn the imagery of Native …show more content…

Stretten uses this example with the Washington Redskins. "The team's owner, Dan Snyder, refuses to change the team's name despite the obvious offensive nature of the imagery and name itself." (Stretten 524-25) Appropriately, she also talks about the fans who, some of which, go to football games arrayed in offensive Indian-looking garb, and wear war paint on their faces while they attempt to impersonate a stereotypical Indian. And although some claim that it shows respect, she retorts that she doesn't, "understand how face paint purchased from a drug store and a faux headdress made of brown construction paper and dyed arts and crafts feathers was respect." Subsequently stating, "How does celebrating Native people with war imagery honor a living people?" (Stretten 525) Undeniably Stretten uses well worded arguments throughout her essay to point out the unethical aspect of appropriating Native American