NPR: Native American Activist Fought Sports Mascots

Native American Activist Fought Sports Mascots

I'm writing this blog in a town that has a football team named the Redskins, and I've been reading about how the Cleveland Indians are threatening to beat my beloved Red Sox for the American League pennant.

The use of Native American names and images as mascots for teams like Washington and Cleveland really bothered Vernon Bellecourt, who died recently at the age of 75. On Tell Me More, Suzan Shown Harjo, a columnist for Indian Country Today, talked about how Bellecourt became involved in fighting sports stereotypes of Native Americans.

Bellecourt was an outspoken member of the movement that started in the 1960s, targeting mascots like the University of Oklahoma's Little Red and the Dartmouth Indians. When it began, there were more than 3,000 sports teams using references considered offensive by Native Americans, Harjo says. Now, there are fewer than 1,000.

But not a single professional team has changed its mascot, Harjo says. In 1992, Bellecourt publicly lambasted the Redskins' owner before the Super Bowl for not changing the team's name. And he was arrested in Cleveland during the 1997 World Series while protesting mascot Chief Wahoo.

6:05 PM ET | 10-17-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I grew up in Cleveland going to games as a kid when just a few thousand fans would show up for a game in an 80,000-seat stadium. Although I've lived in Maryland for 20 years (never have supported the Washington football team) I get a great thrill from seeing the Indians succeed. Sadly I cannot wear my team support because of the distressingly obscene Chief Wahoo. The TV commentators gush about how well the club is run. It's a shame that Cleveland's front office can't muster the courage to do the right thing and put the Chief to rest. It's the least they can do. Then there's the team's name to consider...

Sent by Nick L. | 9:31 PM ET | 10-17-2007

It is UNBELIEVABLE that in 2007 we have professional sports teams with names and mascots that are so inconsiderate and offensive. Sadly, the collective voice of Native Americans has fallen on deaf ears. Imagine for a moment being a part of a small minority and having the ignominy of a caricature of your race being flaunted on Sports Center every night. Beyond Sad.

Sent by Greg M. | 11:10 AM ET | 10-18-2007

Why is a white man who was responsible for the illegal decimation of thousands of Native Americans honored by featuring his portrait on the US $20 bill?

Sent by Philip Comer | 10:20 AM ET | 10-20-2007

if the media would refuse to show offensive mascots, or even mention the name of these teams ("that team from Cleaveland" sounds good), the leagues and the owners would quickly realize that changes needed to be made.

Sent by Seth C. | 1:47 PM ET | 10-20-2007

Fait acomplis, arrogance, "manifest destiny", and finally white supremacy rules in "culture" for now. Change is a-comin'...ready or not. The judgement is in the earth.

Sent by Daniel | 1:31 PM ET | 10-21-2007

PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS OFFENSIVE. I DON'T SEE THE BIG DEAL ABOUT HAVING THE WASHINGTON OR CLEVELAND MASCOTS. WHY IS THIS DEGRADING? I AM A 3RD CHEROKEE AND I DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND. AGAIN, PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS THE WRONG WAY, I MEAN NOTHING NEGATIVE OF THIS, JUST CURIOUS.
THANKS

Sent by CARL | 10:50 AM ET | 10-22-2007

This is ridiculous! The mascots allow open discrimination and racism to Native Americans throughout America. Every time I see the Redskins or Indians, I cringe. You don't see Blackskins or any other race as mascots. You may see other groups of trade, history figures like Spartans and the Fighting Irish (who chose this themselves as an Irish based school/community). People need to be more educated and voice against this type of problem. Hopefully, this will change, since there more Native Americans becoming a part of professional sports and our numbers are increasing with opposition of such insolence.

Sent by Ry | 2:10 PM ET | 10-26-2007

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