Bill Would Ban Indian Mascots

Los Angeles Times ^ | 05-01-2002 | MIGUEL BUSTILLO

[boris]

Sports: Activists meet little resistance in the Legislature in bid to bar the controversial icons in state's public schools.

SACRAMENTO -- Fed up from years of battling local school boards over what they consider an issue of basic civil rights, Native American groups are pushing legislation that would make California the first state in the nation to banish all Indian team mascots from public schools.

[DrDavid]

Shall we just pretend that Native Americans don't and didn't ever exist? Is that what they want?

[Phantom Lord]

Someone should name a team the "Syphillis Spreading Scalpers"

[zook]

"hihowareya, hihowarya..."

People need to grow up and get over it.

[Tacis]

What about the "Maharajahs?"

Let's get some folks from the sub-continent to protest the theft of their ancient ethnic identifier by the red hide savages of north America.

[hoot2]

"Shall we just pretend that Native Americans don't and didn't ever exist? Is that what they want? "

gottem on the ol' warpath have you?

[senorita]

No, the majority of us don't want people to forget Native Americans. There are just a few very vocal radicals who don't have anything better to do than lobby for their agenda to get through.
Most of the people I talk to in my tribe are very proud of our heritage and proud that we are the mascot/image chosen to represent our local schools. I am so sick of this argument, it has been argued since I was in elementary school in the 60's and 70's.

[P-Marlowe]

Lets just forget that Indians were ever "brave" "noble" or "warriors" or "Chiefs" or anything positive and just remember them as they are now: drunken welfare recipients and owners of gambling casinos. Nice Legacy.

So we'll change the name of the "Birmingham Braves" to the "Birmingham Casino Operators." We'll change the name of the "Westchester Warriors" to the "Westchester Welfare Queens."

[WhiskeyPapa]

Lets just forget that Indians were ever "brave" "noble" or "warriors" or "Chiefs" or anything positive and just remember them as they are now: drunken welfare recipients and owners of gambling casinos. Nice Legacy.

That's a good point.

Walt

[John Jorsett]

I can see where Indians would be concerned with their image. Wouldn't you rather have your ethnic identity associated with a wholesome activity like gambling rather than sports?

[Salman]

Lets just forget that Indians were ever "brave" "noble" or "warriors" or "Chiefs" or anything positive...

I have a better idea. I'm Jewish, and I wouldn't feel the least insulted if teams had Jewish names,
as long as the names were positive and emphasized toughness.

How about a team called "The Maccabees"?
Replace the tomahawk chop with a bit of stylized swordplay. Rubber swords, of course.

Not "The Davids", though. You don't want the spectators playing with slingshots.

If a more modern image is wanted, how about a team called "The Palmach"?
Cheerleaders in khaki bathing suits waving pom-poms whose handles look like sten guns.

You get the idea.

[DrDavid]

I have a better idea. I'm Jewish, and I wouldn't feel the least insulted if teams had Jewish names, as long as the names were positive and emphasized toughness.

Who would dare to face down The Fighting Mossad?

[KC_for_Freedom]

Who would dare to face down The Fighting Mossad?

Not a bad idea. I to am Jewish, and part Ninimo, a North American native tribe. This "sensitivity" is so much cr*p I cannot stand it. It is a ruse to shake down organizations for $$$ and has nothing to do with discrimination. BTW I am also fed up with Calif. Don't look for me here after July 20.

[DrDavid]

No, the majority of us don't want people to forget Native Americans. There are just a few very vocal radicals who don't have anything better to do than lobby for their agenda to get through.

This is what I suspected. I don't want to forget the part Native Americans played in the history and development of our great country. I always assumed that the mascots in some way honored the proud tradition of American Indians. Which is why I find it so surprising that people are demanding that these mascots be removed or changed.

If they succeed, is PETA going to demand that the University of Minnesota and University of Michigan drop the animal mascots Golden Gophers and Wolverines?

[Jonah Hex]

Who would dare to face down The Fighting Mossad?

The really terrifying part would be facing The Bris Chop.

[Aurelius]

"Lets just forget that Indians were ever "brave" "noble" or "warriors" or "Chiefs" or anything positive and just remember them as they are now: drunken welfare recipients and owners of gambling casinos. Nice Legacy.

And let's not forget the role of your hero Sherman in reducing them to their current state. I take great comfort in my Christian faith which assures me that Abraham Lincoln, William Tecumsah Sherman and you will burn eternally in Hell. Have a nice day.

[lepton]

Shall we just pretend that Native Americans don't and didn't ever exist? Is that what they want?

Whether or not that's what they want, it's what they're demanding.