Quote:
Originally posted by rainmaker
I think the comparison of your daughter's dislike of chewing noises to the offense taken by Native Americans to the mascots is specious. Many Native Americans believe that their identity as people is diminished by the nicknames and mascots of Indians. My point of view -- and I recommend it to others -- is to not want to do harm. If someone tells me that my actions belittle and dehumanize them, I will stop, if possible. Then if they continue to be offended, that's another story. You think it's silly for the Indians to make a big deal out of the nicknames. But if you fight that request, then you're making a big deal, too.
But if you immdeiately change the nickname/mascot, then you get a lot of brownie points, and you get to spend your time on something more important, like graduation rates, and affirmative action.
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I will not fight any request to change unless I feel it infringes upon my own personal rights and freedoms or the rights and freedoms of an entity I care about. In this case it is neither for me. Out of courtesy I may change my behavior in accordance with a request if I feel that request has reason. In the example with my daughter, I try to be aware of where she is. I may eat in another room or modify my chewing behavior to try to be more quiet. But does that stop me from eating? No.
My personal point of view is not to intentionally offend or give harm also. But people will get offended over all sorts of issues, and to others those issues are trivial. Just because someone is offended does not mean behavior should change. If I am offended by southern politicians who have trouble pronouncing the word nuclear, does that mean they should get out of politics? We live in a country of freedom and democracy. The will of the majority should rule. However, we are seeing the will of the LOUDEST often ruling.
"Many Native Americans believe that their identity as people is diminished by the nicknames and mascots of Indians." I guess I am not swayed by this statement. I would like to see evidence of what they mean. I am open minded and am willing to join their cause if I really felt that a team nickname truly causes this damage. Is it a team nickname that causes the loss of identity or the white man making the Indians culturally conform to mainstream America or is it aphathy amongst some tribal members who no longer care for the traditions of their forefathers? Are they looking to blame something else when in reality they should be looking withing to discover the answer?
Looking at the opposite side, if I am offended by the behavior of others, I try to get beyond it if my request for change goes unheeded. I try not to swear in my personal life and am offended by foul language. I have a collegue who uses the F word constantly. I politely remind him from time to time to please not use that language around me, but the behavior does not change. I may get an occasional apology, but on the whole he continues to swear. Since I have to work with this individual, my choices are limited. Even though I am offended I can "get over it" and ignore it and make my best efforts not to let his language become part of my life - even though I am exposed to it. I can raise a formal complaint, which could result in his losing his job. I can continually remind him not to swear around me. I can become violent when I am offended. I can find a new job. There are lots of options. I choose to remind the individual every few months that his language offends me and I choose to ignore the language in between reminders. I do this to have the most productive working relationship we can have (in my perception). Should my will and preferences take precedence over his freedom to express himself? In my opinion No. Because of that, I have to "get over it". Should the will of an individual overrule the will of the masses? No. If there is merit in the will of the individual, it will catch on and the masses will adopt that principle.
I certainly agree there are more important matters that a universtiy faces than the mascot name. There are probably more important issues facing Native Americans and mascot nicknames.