Sports: Preventing Indian Mascots

The NCAA has banned 18 college mascots, which are Indian-related, from championship events, calling them "hostile and abusive." Indians---or Blackwhawks, or Braves, or Seminoles, or whatever---have been used as mascots for American sports teams for years, and there has always been debate over whether it's demeaning to our real Native Americans. Apparently, the NCAA thinks it is.

However, they're not offering a reason for why they think it's "hostile and abusive." Come to think of it, I've never heard a good reason at all. I don't see why any Indians should be offended at all.

Think about it. When a team picks a mascot, what are they looking for? Something strong, something powerful, something inspiring. That's why we lions, tigers, bears, and eagles are so powerful. Would a lion complain that it was being abused because a team used his species for a mascot? No, for the same reason a celebrity doesn't complain when she's put on one of those "50 Most Influential People" lists (or whatever they're called.) It's a compliment! It's an honor! It's saying, you're so cool that we want to honor you. You're special enough to be a symbol of our team's strength and inspiration.

Teams don't pick mice or caterpillars for their mascots. They're weak. They're not inspiring.

Teams pick worthy icons for their mascots. And Native American Indians are certainly worthy.

Their warriors are historically famous for their incredible strength, endurance, and ferocity in battle. Naming a team after an Indian is simply honoring those virtuous characteristics and delcaring their desire to emulate them. There's nothing "hostile" or "abusive" about it!
Leaders of the NCAA, don't prevent your colleges from honoring this special ethnic group of our country. Native Americans, when a team picks you for their mascot, they're saying that you are worthy of honor and respect! What's so offensive about it?

Edmond the Hun