The NCAA recently announced that it would prohibit colleges from bringing Indian mascots and related imagery to its postseason athletic tournaments. Judging from the collective reaction of universities, pundits, politicians, and fans, you'd have thought that the NCAA had announced it was hosting a puppy-kicking contest.
Afterwards, fiery criticism fell upon the NCAA by people defending their supposed right to put chicken feathers in their hair, paint zigzags on their faces, and play Indian.
In spite of the protestations of those people, the NCAA should be lauded for taking this step toward eliminating stereotypical Indigenous symbols for sporting entertainment.
African Americans and Latin Americans long ago regained the right to control how they would portray themselves to society. We learned that characters such as Sambo and the Frito Bandito degraded their cultures.
The tomahawk chop-ers often claim that they are honoring us by giving their teams names like "Braves" or "Red Raiders," and that the courage and determination of our ancestors is worthy of emulation.
Personally, I admire those same traits in the countless Black slaves who once had the temerity to escape their oppressors. Somehow, though, I don't think we'll soon be seeing any schools change their nicknames to the "Running Kunta Kintes."
Florida State University President T. K. Wetherell boasted that his school's mascot demonstrates respect for the perseverance of the actual Seminole people. (For the record, the actual Seminole Nation of Florida has offered support for FSU in its inaccurate portrayal of its historic leader, Chief Osceola. This may have more to do with avoiding ruffling the feathers of its happy casino customers than actual support for the mascot).
Soon after the NCAA decision, however, he was asked what he thought about us Natives that don't support being used as mascots. His doozy of a response? "[M]aybe the Trail of Tears should have gone farther..."
His incredulous comment is a case in point that this conflict isn't about honor or respect. It's about power. And right now, we don't even have the power to control our own identity. FSU would continue using the Seminole people for their own entertainment, regardless of how they felt.
Some others decry the NCAA's decision as political correctness run amok. They often say things like, "now PETA will want to keep schools from using animals as mascots." Such comments provide clear evidence as to how mascots dehumanize us.
Appropriating our names and symbols is not the same as having a cartoon horse on a football helmet. We are not animals.
Another typical argument is that Notre Dame's "Fighting Irish" nickname is offensive to Irish people. When I last checked, however, the University of Notre Dame is chock full of Irish Catholics who consented to the nickname from its inception. Nobody asked you or me if we wanted to be called a "Redskin" or a "Savage," which is the nickname employed by Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
There may be many more pertinent issues to Indian country, such as health care and education. However regaining the power over our image is central to advancing other causes. These mascots only serve to make it easier to dismiss, degrade, and objectify us and the issues for which we care.
If you can call me "chief" on the football field it becomes okay to call me "chief" in the courtroom, which is the same as calling a black man "boy."
Symbols and images are important, as anybody who's ever looked with pride at a flag or an eagle staff can attest. The NCAA should be applauded for taking this important and symbolic step toward truly honoring us.
Bryan Newland is a Bay Mills Indian Community Member and a student at Michigan State University College of Law in East Lansing. He is the oldest son of Gordon and Vickie Newland of Bay Mills. He has written columns and letters that have appeared in local, regional, and national publications. You can respond to his column at 517-420-0808 or tikro6@yahoo.com.
