Indian Insignia

On dictionary.com the definition of warrior is: a person engaged or experienced in warfare; soldier. When the Warwick School District made their mascot, they chose a Native-American because he or she is a strong fighter, but the district chose this emblem out of ignorance. Their intentions were honorable but according to Charlene Teters of the Spokane Indians, “The impetus which formed NCRSM was the clear case of media coupling imagery with widely held misconceptions of American Indians in the form of sports team identities resulting in racial, cultural, and spiritual stereotyping.” By impersonating an Indian for a school’s mascot or symbol the Native-Americans are being discriminated and stereotyped. That is why the Warwick School District should eliminate the Native-American symbol.

“The Native-American symbol or mascot should not be eliminated,” was said by Florida State University president T.K. Wetherell when he also stated,

National surveys have shown in recent years that an overwhelming majority of Native Americans are not offended by the use of Native American names and symbols. In making its decision, the Executive Committee has been swayed by a strident minority of activists who claim to speak for all Native Americans.

Although he had said there was a minute portion of the Native-American minority that was viewing the symbol as racist, if there is one person that views the symbol as racist or derogatory, then he or she can have a voice to say that it is considered discrimination; the definition of discrimination from dictionary.com is: treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit. Then also from thesaurus.com the word discrimination can also mean racism. The one person that sees the Native-American mascot symbol as a racist symbol is Bellecourt. Bellecourt is the president of the NCRSM and said, “The practice of team mascots demeans, degrades, distorts and trivializes the beautiful culture, dance and music of Indigenous people and is an attack on the self-esteem of our people.”

Not only is the Native-American mascot symbol racist, but it is also a prejudice representation of the Indians when combined with the