Native American mascots: are they acceptable?

by Emma Hartman

An increasing number of schools have been ditching their Native American mascots for more appropriate mascots such as animals or inanimate objects. Native American mascots have been a point of controversy for many years because they appropriate Native American culture, perpetuate incorrect stereotypes, and are detrimental to the mental health of Native American youths. Schools with Native American mascots should be starting a gradual removal process of Native American symbols and mascots from their schools as soon as possible.

Native American mascots appropriate Native American culture. One might argue that Native American symbols are supposed to be cultural appreciation, not cultural appropriation. However, places with these mascots spent their money making the symbols for their own personal interest. It was made for their own interest because it was not placed there entirely to draw attention to Native American history. It was placed there to hype people up before a sports game and to show their “chieftain spirit.” Native American mascots and symbols should not be present in schools because they appropriate culture that is not theirs to appropriate.

Secondly, Native American mascots perpetuate incorrect stereotypes and affect people’s implicit bias. Most people would not say that seeing Native American mascots has affected their perception of Native Americans. However, a study done with implicit bias tests proved that viewing images of Native American mascots does, in fact, affect people’s perception of Native American culture. A study done by LiveScience (2016) found that people who viewed Native American mascots associated “warlike” qualities with Native American culture far more than those who had not just viewed the mascots. Associating “warlike” qualities with Native American people is harmful because it does not accurately represent their culture. Implicit bias affects decisions that people make, and subconsciously affects the way people view Native American culture.

If that is not enough, Native American mascots have been proven to have adverse effects on Native American youth. A study done by Laurel R. Davis-Delano, Ph.D., of Springfield College; Joseph P. Gone, Aaniiih-Gros Ventre, Ph.D., Harvard University; and Stephanie A. Fryberg, Tulalip, Ph.D., University of Michigan (2020) shows that Native American mascots cause low self-esteem, low community worth, and increased depression and anxiety, especially in youths. The authors write in their study that, “there was no evidence from any study that Native American mascots foster positive or beneficial psychosocial effects for Native Americans.” So, while some might argue that Native American mascots unite a community, it does so at the expense of the mental health of young Native American individuals.

An interview with Rob Ramage, Vice Principal at Logan-Hocking High School, gave insight into how local residents feel about the mascot.“This community would go nuts if they had to change the mascot,” Ramage reported, “It is ingrained in the culture of the community and, quite frankly, is a unifying factor for Hocking County residents.” The Logan mascot has been around since the founding of Logan-Hocking School District.

Changing the mascot would be a large expense. Ramage says, “It would cost tens of thousands of dollars. New gym floors, new football turf, all new jerseys and uniforms, as well as the removal of the many Chieftain images that are painted onto walls, stadiums, etc.”

The change would not need to be instantaneous. When sports teams are due to get new jerseys, schools could purchase jerseys without Native American symbols, and paint would be a seemingly small cost if they were to repaint over symbols. New gym floors and football turf would be major expenses. Changes to school mascots are incredibly controversial and expensive, but I believe that in the future, it would likely be looked back upon as a progressive and beneficial change.

Rather than choosing a mascot that appropriates Native American culture, I encourage schools to look to the animal kingdom to find their mascots; such as the Athens Bulldog. Or to an inanimate object such as the Wellston Golden Rockets. These mascots are not controversial and would be a better unifying force for a community. Additionally, there are millions of animals to choose from, so if a school wanted something original, it would not be difficult to choose something unique and inclusive.