By VICTOR KOMIVES
A national debate is raging over the term “Redskins,” the name of Washington’s NFL team. Native American groups are calling for a name change; newspapers and other media organizations simply refuse to use the term in their coverage of the team, and President Obama recently said, “If I were the owner of the team and I knew that the name of my team, even if they’ve had a storied history, that was offending a sizable group of people, I’d think about changing it.”
In 2010, the state of Wisconsin passed a law banning all Native American mascots, names and logos from public schools. Last year Oregon joined the crusade. Oregon has enacted laws to force high schools to change names that carry stereotypical connotations.
Boone, of course, is the home of the Braves, and Native American imagery is used all over campus, which is referred to as “The Reservation.” The school store is “the Trading Post,” murals in the cafeteria and administrative offices and hallways depict “Native American” scenery that looks a lot more like the Old West than Florida. At football games a “brave” with an elaborate costume and headdress performs with a “squaw” on the sidelines. The band plays the Tomahawk Chop while the cheerleaders lead the crowd in the arm chop.
Are these symbols meant to glorify Native Americans? Or are we using them as simple stereotypes without giving thought to what they really mean and whether they are offensive? Native Americans have a long history in Florida and supporters of keeping names like the “Braves” will say that they are celebrating the Indian culture, not mocking it.
On the other hand, is Native American imagery even appropriate for Boone, whose student body is made up of an overwhelming number of non-Native Americans? In light of the national debate over the Redskins name, perhaps we should have a similar debate in our school about how best to represent ourselves to the rest of the world.
The Indian Tradition cannot be mocked as much as it is right now. It deserves more respect that what we give it. The current way that Native American imagery is used is nothing but offensive. We as a nation must show kindness to a race that has done nothing but suffer. If an Indian tribe does not approve the imagery, like Florida State’s deal with the Seminoles, Native American imagery must be restricted.