Racism
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Identifying and Analyzing the Problem at Hand
Throughout history the United States has constantly dealt with race, and we have made a lot of progress on letting race become a nonexistent problem, although racist team names, logos, and mascots have been an ever-present problem in the United States. Many sports teams use American Indian names, logos, and mascots because they feel like they are honoring American Indians with them, although American Indians are saying that they don't feel honored by this symbolism. "They are experiencing it as no less than a mockery for their cultures. They see objects sacred to them - such as the drum, eagle feathers, face painting and traditional dress - being used, not in sacred ceremony, or in any cultural setting, but in another culture's game" (Common Themes).
For an example of racism in sport team mascots is that of the University of North Dakota's "Fighting Sioux." Many American Indians along with others against racial mascots feel that the "Fighting Sioux" name along with its logo of an Indian are offensive to the American Indian culture for reasons previously stated (O'Link).
"'Why don't community members understand the need to change, isn't it a simple matter of respect?' On one level, yes. But in some communities, people have bought into local myths and folklore presented as accurate historical facts. Sometimes these myths are created or preserved by local industry...