Today in class, we watched a movie called In Whose Honor?. It was a documentary on the mascot debate. The story centered on a Native American woman named Charlene. Although she wanted to rid all sports of Native American mascots, her main focus was on Illinois and the Fighting Illini.
The movie did bring up a lot of good points. I can understand how it would be upsetting to see your culture portrayed inaccurately. I can understand how it might be awkward to watch people dress up as you for sporting events. And I can certainly understand how cartoons and caricatures are offensive.
But, this documentary was very biased. It only showed one side of the debate. I know for a fact that not all Native Americans think that mascots are offensive. Plus, half of the time, when people were talking to Charlene, they were drunk heading in to the game. I would have to say that alcohol probably had something to do with some of the things they said.
Although I can see how a Native American mascot might be offensive, I still am not completely convinced. For one, Charlene kept saying how offensive Cheif Illiniwek was. She said how the dance was a mockery and the costume he wore was a beautiful, authentic costume that should not have been worn by him. Let's talk about the costume first. If it had not been authentic, the student would have recieved criticism for that. Activists may have had a problem with how Native Americans were portrayed if the costume was fake and gaudy. So wasn't an authentic costume the best thing? And then there was the dance. I know that in Native American culture, dancing is a form of prayer. I am Catholic, and so I tried to turn this around. I thought to myself, 'What if before a sporting event, the mascot of my school performed a prayer we do in church?' But still, I could not see it as a negative thing. I think part of me thinks it's kind of cool that before a game, they would "pray". I don't think the dance had any offensive gestures; the Chief himself was completely serious. So in that way, it's hard for me to see objection.
I've always thought of most Native American mascots as a way to honor them. The mascot represents what the school wants to portray: strength, cunningness, intelligence. I am a huge Spartan fan. If they were to take away Sparty, I, too, would be devestated. What if he offended someone? What if the Irish didn't like Notre Dame's mascot, because Leperchauns aren't even a positive symbol?
I just feel like someone is always offended with something. So how far will it go?
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1 comment:
I agree that the movie was definitely "biased" in a sense that it was created purposefully to tell their story (those against the mascots) and you are right, even on there were some tribes that were not offended by how Native Americans are portrayed, but I think it is important for them to state their feelings and if it is offensive to them, it is something there should be discussion about. Keep thinking about your post, and remember the fact we are trying to read beyond just the movie, but what occurs in daily interactions with Native Americans.
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