The GIST - Sunday Scroll: Fight’s not finished
From The GIST Team |
Hello!Welcome to The GIST’s Sunday Scroll, where we dive deep into one timely sports topic. In honor of November being Native American Heritage Month in the U.S. and with American Thanksgiving later this week, we’re focusing on Native American mascots in sports and the work being done to eliminate these harmful stereotypes.
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Quote of The Day |
“There’s no way that the use of Natives as mascots is honoring… That’s an illusion.” | |
— Northwestern University professor and member of the Tulalip Tribes Dr. Stephanie Fryberg on the psychological harm Native American mascots have on Indigenous youth. |
The Scroll |
📖 History and context
Source: Jason Miller/Getty Images
The beginning of the movement to remove harmful “Indian” mascots can be traced back to the 1968 National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) campaign to address stereotypes found in pop culture and media, including sports mascots.
And while many opposed to removing Indigenous mascots say that they “honor Native Americans” or aren’t inherently harmful, countless studies have shown the real psychological damage these stereotypes cause for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike.
It’s not just a game, or just a chant, or just a character — these mascots cause real-life, lasting damage, and it’s well past time for change. |
⏳ The fight continues
Source: Bob Levey/Getty Images
A high-profile example of these harmful stereotypes was on stark display at the 2021 World Series. When Atlanta’s MLB team (whose stadium is on Cherokee land) plays at home, it’s impossible to watch a game without hearing and seeing fans doing a racist gesture called “The Chop.”
And while you’d think Atlanta competing on the national stage would be an opportunity to enact change, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred instead brushed aside the conversation, claiming that “the Native American community in that region is wholly supportive of the Braves program, including the chop.” Umm, what?
As for Atlanta’s racist nickname, which the team adopted in 1912 (and again in 1941), plenty of non-offensive changes have been floated. The “Hammers” in honor of late Atlanta baseball legend Hammerin’ Hank Aaron sounds much better.
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🌱 Signs of progress
Source: Stacy Revere/Getty Images
While the work continues, we can also celebrate successful moments of progress. The most notable team name change came from the Washington Commanders, but this welcome removal didn’t come without significant conflict.
Other recent notable changes in the pros include the MLB’s Cleveland Guardians, who just wrapped up their third season under their new name, and the CFL’s Edmonton Elks, who dropped their old nickname in 2020 and adopted the Elks the following summer. |
🚫 Beyond the pros
Source: Star Tribune
The pro teams we discussed earlier have received most of the attention and scrutiny, but harmful and stereotypical mascots are pervasive throughout the sports world, including in the minor leagues and even at the K-12 level.
The good news? Bills to ban Indigenous mascots in public schools have been introduced in a handful of states, and the issue is gaining traction.
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The GIST's Picks |
Hi. It’s us. We’re the recommenders, it’s us.
💪 Who to knowUniversity of New Mexico swimmer (and licensed pilot) Kaylah Yazzie. Growing up in the Comanche, Navajo, and Sac and Fox Tribes taught Yazzie mental toughness and resilience in the pool and the air, and she has since become an inspiration to everyone she meets. 📚 What to readThis article by Jordan Marie Brings Three White Horses Daniel, detailing how she uses running to spotlight the issues Indigenous communities face, including the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women epidemic. 📺 What to watchImagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting. This 2022 documentary takes a deep dive into the movement working to end the use of Native American names, logos, and mascots in the world of sports and beyond. A must-watch. |
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