There's still a few great games left to be played this season, but there's something I just wanted to bring to light a little more. As we all know, at least those of us that have a TV, know that the Washington Redskins have taken heat over their name over recent years.
Last year at some point, I was in the gas station and saw the Des Moines Register stating that Iowa is one of the top states with the most Native American related names/mascots. This came to me as a surprise, because there is only one federally recognized tribe in the entire state of Iowa, the Meskwaki, Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi. But, it also didn't surprise me as I thought about many of the surrounding schools and teams I have played personally or watched.
To name a few: HLV Warriors, Montezuma Braves, Sigourney Savages, Moravia MoHawks, Spirit Lake Indians, New Hampton Chickasaws, etc.
(http://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...ative-american-indian-names-popular/15179583/)
The above link mentions a few other names, but I just thought I should say something as it offends many Native people across the country. Some a lot and some not so much, nonetheless it is an issue depending on how you see it. As we all know, racism still lives in today's society regardless of your ethnicity.
There can be a solution to these schools with these names and mascots. Recently, adidas released a statement saying they would provide/sponsor schools jerseys for (FREE) IF they change their school mascots.
(http://bigstory.ap.org/article/e75f...offers-help-eliminate-native-american-mascots)
This isn't only an issues in the state of Iowa, but all around the country as I know plenty of people in other tribes from other states that deal with mocking such as the tomahawk chop, wearing of a headdress, or even covering one's mouth repeatedly while hollering. There's no offense towards the schools mentioned above, simply providing information and giving examples. I just think adidas is doing a great thing for Native Americans all over the country, and also can help out schools looking for new jerseys and change.
As I said, plenty of season left, but I thought I could bring this to light. Any questions, thoughts, ideas, and suggestions welcome.
Last year at some point, I was in the gas station and saw the Des Moines Register stating that Iowa is one of the top states with the most Native American related names/mascots. This came to me as a surprise, because there is only one federally recognized tribe in the entire state of Iowa, the Meskwaki, Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi. But, it also didn't surprise me as I thought about many of the surrounding schools and teams I have played personally or watched.
To name a few: HLV Warriors, Montezuma Braves, Sigourney Savages, Moravia MoHawks, Spirit Lake Indians, New Hampton Chickasaws, etc.
(http://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...ative-american-indian-names-popular/15179583/)
The above link mentions a few other names, but I just thought I should say something as it offends many Native people across the country. Some a lot and some not so much, nonetheless it is an issue depending on how you see it. As we all know, racism still lives in today's society regardless of your ethnicity.
There can be a solution to these schools with these names and mascots. Recently, adidas released a statement saying they would provide/sponsor schools jerseys for (FREE) IF they change their school mascots.
(http://bigstory.ap.org/article/e75f...offers-help-eliminate-native-american-mascots)
This isn't only an issues in the state of Iowa, but all around the country as I know plenty of people in other tribes from other states that deal with mocking such as the tomahawk chop, wearing of a headdress, or even covering one's mouth repeatedly while hollering. There's no offense towards the schools mentioned above, simply providing information and giving examples. I just think adidas is doing a great thing for Native Americans all over the country, and also can help out schools looking for new jerseys and change.
As I said, plenty of season left, but I thought I could bring this to light. Any questions, thoughts, ideas, and suggestions welcome.