Native American Mascot

The article, Racism American Style and Resistance to Change: Art Education’s Role in the Indian Mascot Issue, by Elizabeth M. De La Cruz, centers around the negative effects that using Native Americans as mascots can have on the Native American community. De La Cruz points out that our ignorance has prevented us from seeing the error in our ways, thus the lack of understanding of Native American culture enables us to keep misinterpreting their culture and rituals by making them our school mascots. According to her, it is the job of educational policy makers to get informed and speak out against the Native American stereotypes that are being taught to children. In accordance to the author, I feel that the use of Native Americans as mascots …show more content…
When these young children see their culture being satirically portrayed, their self-esteem can be damaged. They become ashamed of their culture and of who they are, because we are portraying them in a stereotypical way. As children and teenagers, they base their worth on the validation of adults and other kids so when society makes fun of their culture naturally they will begin to feel embarrassed and reject their Native American heritage. According to the article, “Native youth suffer…highest teen suicide and dropout rates of any racial or cultural group” this further argues the case that the misinterpretation of culture within our society is hurting the most vulnerable of the Native Americans: the children. These children are teased so badly or are so embarrassed of who they are that the only means for escape is taking their own innocent lives. The Native American children of all the tribes need an individual to look up to, not some silly mascot who parades around the field mocking their sacred rituals. Once again, our ignorance blinds us from seeing the fault in our ways and does not allow us to be informed of the real problem with using Natives as school