NCAA Bans Indian Mascots During Postseason Friday, August 05, 2005
INDIANAPOLIS * The NCAA banned the use of American Indian mascots by sports teams during its postseason tournaments, but will not prohibit them otherwise.
The NCAA's executive committee decided this week the organization did not have the authority to bar Indian mascots by individual schools, committee chairman Walter Harrison said Friday.
Nicknames or mascots deemed "hostile or abusive" would not be allowed by teams on their uniforms or other clothing beginning with any NCAA tournament after Feb. 1, said Harrison, the University of Hartford's president.
"What each institution decides to do is really its own business" outside NCAA championship events, he said.
Guidelines were not immediately available on which logos and nicknames would be considered "hostile or abusive."
The NCAA two years ago recommended that schools determine for themselves whether the Indian depictions were offensive.
Among the schools to change nicknames in recent years over such concerns were St. John's (from Redmen (search) to Red Storm) and Marquette (from Warriors to Golden Eagles).
The NCAA plans to ban schools using Indian nicknames from hosting postseason events. Harrison said schools with such mascots that have already been selected as tournament sites would be asked to cover any offensive logos.
Such logos also would be prohibited at postseason games on cheerleader and band uniforms starting in 2008.
__________________ Thea
No one has permission to use any material from any of my posts on any CWT forum, the archives, or any other forum without my express written permission.
Thea,
This started a few years ago, it was ridiculous then, and it's even more so now. I am an ardent follower of the Washington Redskins, in football, and there have been cries over the last few years to change their name, as well. I was raised to believe that, in whatever was done, that the majority usually ruled, but since those days, I believe it's quite evident, that the reverse is now true. I found something one day, and decided to keep it. To some, it may be something to just toss, but as I read it, I realized that there was a lot of truth to it. I must admit at this time, that this is not War Between the States related, however, I believe that this is relevant to your post. I shant participate in straying from related items dealing with the war often, but this time, I just felt that this item I read, fits in closely to what you just posted.
>>
>>Paul Harvey says:
>>
>>I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue
>>somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I
>>don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a
>>lawyer when my high school teacher taught his theory
>>of evolution.
>>
>>Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be
>>endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer
>>before a football game.
>>
>>So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there
>>reading the entire book of Acts. They're just talking to a
>>God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the
>>players on the field and the fans going home from the game.
>>
>>"But it's a Christian prayer," some will argue.
>>
>>Yes, and this is the United States of America, a country
>>founded on Christian principles. According to our very
>>own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others
>>better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect-somebody
>>chanting Hare Krishna?
>>
>>If I went to a football game in Jerusalem,
>>I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.
>>
>>
>>If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad,
>>I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.
>>
>>
>>If I went to a ping pong match in China,
>>I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.
>>
>>
>>And I wouldn't be offended.
>>It wouldn't bother me one bit.
>>When in Rome...
>>
>>"But what about the atheists?" is another argument.
>>
>>What about them?
>>Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to
>>pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If
>>that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear
>>plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand.
>>Call your lawyer!
>>
>>Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or
>>two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do.
>>I don't think a short prayer at a football game is
>>going to shake the world's foundations.
>>
>>Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other
>>cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our
>>parents and grandparents taught us to pray before
>>eating; to pray before we go to sleep.
>>
>>Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a
>>handful of people and their lawyers are telling us
>>to cease praying.
>>
>>God, help us.
>>And if that last sentence offends you,
>>well ... just sue me.
>>
>>The silent majority has been silent too long. It's time we
>>let that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard
>>.... that the vast majority don't care what they want. It
>>is time the majority rules! It's time we tell them, you don't
>>have to pray; you don't have to say the pledge of allegiance;
>>you don't have to believe in God or attend services that
>>honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your
>>right. But by golly, you are no longer going to take our
>>rights away. We are fighting back ...
>>and we WILL WIN!
>>
>>God bless us one and all ... especially those who denounce
>>Him. God bless America, despite all her faults. She is still
>>the greatest nation of all.
>>
>>God bless our service men who are fighting to protect
>>our right to pray and worship God.
>>
>>
>>May 2005 be the year the silent majority is heard
>>and we put God back as the foundation of our
>>families and institutions.
>>
>>Keep looking up.
I guess it's a good thing they teach gymnastics in school. I don't believe some of these 'educators' could otherwise walk with their heads up their .....! I have considerable Native American blood in my veins (along with a bunch of other flavors), but am not in the least offended by any reference to that culture. I'm just glad someone remembers it, even if they never took time to learn about it.
As an educator steeped in political correctness I am high among those who despise it. PC is a curse and people need to get over every little thing
But
I have to partially agree with this one.
I have two things that make me think this way, One I live in Cleveland, home of the Indians, two, I’m engaged to a card carrying very active Shawnee. I see this a little differently now.
The problem is not as over sensitive as one would think. In our own home town for instance no true Indian objects to the name of the Cleveland Indians, its an honorific given the team as it had the very first American Indian player in major leagues.
The problem is the symbol. First of all Chief Wahoo the Indians symbol, was a real person. And he was not a hook nosed buck toothed bright red skinned fool with a broken feather (which means something, broken feather is a disgrace)
Chief wahoo is the moral equivalent of a huge lipped coal black skinned watermelon chomping splayed nosed black man on a team named the Cleveland Darkies.
As to the redskins, same same. It’s a racial slur
Warriors, braves, etc. no not a problem.
I agree we should not be over sensitive about every little thing, but some of these aren’t that little. As to the general ban, no that’s a wimps way out. Stop the obvious racial slurs, but keep the general refereneces.
rbenne, I can accept your thoughts and your reasons. There is a bit of a parallel, I believe, between your facts and the civil war. The press doesn't often if ever pick up the reasoning and details just presented in your message. That's also true of the objections to the war, mostly by folks who really have never studied the facts. Seems we should straighten the feathers!
Sometimes you have to examine ALL the facts from each side before forming an opinion. Thanks for this additional information given in a serious vein.
Unionblue
__________________ "The American people and the Government at Washington may refuse to recognize it for a time but the inexorable logic of events will force it upon them in the end; that the war now being waged in this land is a war for and against slavery." Frederick Douglass
"Loyalty to our ancestors does not include loyalty to their mistakes." George Santayana
I hate to say it, but I strongly disagree. I've never looked at it that way. I grew up with the Washington Redskins, and to me.................it's just a name! They've carried that name for over 60 years, and and getting rid of it now, is ridiculous! Far too many folks are far too sensitive anymore. I think this political correctness has been taken to the extreme. It's about time for the majority stand up against the minority and say, enough is enough! Just as some of those in the South want to do away with far too many examples of our Southern heritage. To Northerners, it's okay, isn't it? Just let someone try and rub out your history, and let's see if you're so ready to criticize so harshly. But, believe what you want, it's not my place to try and tell you differently. I hope the Redskins name will last until long after I'm gone, that would make me happy, and it looks as if the name will stand, because enough will stand up and say......We'll keep our name. I know the owners have.
I have no problems with the Native Americans, never have, never will, having lived in the west, Namely Montana, and Washington, for over 38 years. While working for the U.S. Forest Service for 23 of those years, I met, and made friends with many Native Americans, and very few, really objected to the football term. Some thought it was okay, others really didn't care for it, but said it didn't bother them to the extent that they should change their name. So, with all that, I don't see a lot wrong with statues of Robert E Lee, JEB Stuart, N B Forrest, either, but there are many who want to take these out of circulation, because it offends someone. Well, it offends me that they want to take these references out of our history. However, think of the 'Skins any way you want, but as for me, they're my team, always have, and they always will. So, in the end, it's just an opinion, and you have yours......I have mine.
I wish those luck, in changing the names, but if they don't, then accept it, and move on, just as I will, if the reverse happens.
When we reach the point were disrespect enters into the game, our national origins have been ignored. As was pointed out eloguently earlier, perhaps some of the references to Native Americans are in fact offensive. I may be too dumb to have recognized the details. The mayor of Memphis in his politically astute conference the other day attempted to sidestep the issue of the three city parks. If I were black and lived in Memphis, I wouldn't have much use for Nathan Beford Forrest or Jefferson Davis. A slave dealer and a man who organized half a country into a revolt which destroyed forever the Southern plantation way of life were certainly not doing the Blacks any direct favors. To want to remove a grave and monument erected apparently openly and with majority of public support a the time offends me, a hapless floundering student of the civil war who looks with blinders at Forrest and sees a brilliant commander fighting an army that attacked his and my homeland. I believe the mayor was correct, time to move on.
That seems to be the point, frankly, that you find no problem with the names that are offensive to others, because it really is not your problem.
We often comment on how difficult it is to view people's view of the 19th century with 21st century eyes. How much more difficult can it be if we can not view through the eyes of another race or culture? Or even to generate enough emotion to care, as the names of such teams do not effect us because of our own social standing, race, etc.
How many times, I wonder, you might have been outraged at a tax increase or such that the US Congress would pass and wish to the high heavens that just for one year, you and your congressman could trade jobs and places for one year, so he could understand what it is like to live with your paycheck and work at your job, etc.
'Walk a mile in my shoes' comes to mind.
Sincerely,
Unionblue
__________________ "The American people and the Government at Washington may refuse to recognize it for a time but the inexorable logic of events will force it upon them in the end; that the war now being waged in this land is a war for and against slavery." Frederick Douglass
"Loyalty to our ancestors does not include loyalty to their mistakes." George Santayana
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