NCAA ban on mascots

[ChuckElias]

Originally posted by rainmaker
I'm not surprised that some Indians don't object to their own tribe's name being used. That doesn't change the fact that many are hurt by the practice of 10,000 fans doing the Tomahawk" and that false stereotypes are reinforced by pictures of "indian heads" with "war bonnets" who are chanting in a minor key.

Juulie, I know from other conversations that have taken place here on the forum that you feel pretty strongly about issues like this. But I have to ask, who exactly is hurt by a tomahawk chop? Who is injured? Whose property is damaged? Whose person has been assaulted?

Yes, these images and words have connections to unflattering stereotypes and outright historical fabrications. But don't we pretty much know that at this point? Does anybody really think that Native Americans scalp their enemies or smoke'em peace pipe?

Do the words and images cause some mental pain to some Native Americans? Maybe. And to those people, I can only say, 'get over it'. I know that's callous, I know you probably think I'm a jerk for saying it, but that's the reality. What the heck ever happened to "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me?" If I learned that lesson in kindergarten, anybody else can learn it too.

Chief Wahoo and the tomahawk chop have absolutely no affect on anybody -- unless they let them. Do I think those are great images? No. Do I think anyone should dictate whether they can be used? No.

Not that anybody really cares, but I'm of Lebanese descent. You know how many raghead/camel jockey jokes/rants I heard after 9/11? More than I could count. You know how many of them hurt me? Not a single one. Sticks and stones worry me. Redskin logos don't.

I'm not trying to be more-enlightened-than-thou. Just my opinion, that's all.