In the essay The Indian Chant and the Tomahawk Chop Ward Churchill argues that many mascots

used in sport are blatant racism toward the Native American people. Ward Churchills arguments revolve around professional sports teams such as the Atlanta Braces, Cleveland Indians, and Washington Redskins. He also noted that the problem has extended to college sports as well such as Florida State University Seminoles, University of Illinois Fighting Illini, and Lamar Colorado Savages. The organizations names are not the only reason why Ward Churchill argues that these sports teams blatantly stereotype against Native American people. These mascots also mimic Native Americans through their mascots, such as dressing their mascots in feathers, buckskins, beads, spears, and war paint. The team mascots are not the only ones trying to mimic the Native Americans the fans also dress themselves similar to the mascots and also have pep gestures like the Indian Chant and Tomahawk Chop. Also a substantial number of American Indians have protested against sports organizations for using their native names, images and symbols as sports team mascots and virulently racist practices. In reality I never noticed how these names were stereotypes against Native Americans, but Ward Churchill made some very valid points and I do agree with him. I believe he made a very strong argument when he said teams such as the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians should be at the same level of offence as if a German sports organization called themselves the Jews. There really is no difference between the two since both were people who had a violent and unfavorable history with the nationality of the sports organizations. It would be very hard for Jews to accept the fact that after a horrible event such as the Holocaust that the country responsible for such an event would call themselves the Jews. Likewise for Indians that lost almost all their land to Americans, and then they have to accept that country that had done this to them mock their culture with their sports organizations. Another interesting point that Ward Churchill brought up is that Native Indians are a small majority when compared to other minorities such as African Americans, Mexicans, and Asians. Since Native Indians are such a small minority we as a society find it more acceptable to stereotype their race over the other races. That is why you dont find any sports organizations that name themselves The Niggers, The Slopes, or The Wetbacks. So overall I do agree with Ward Churchill and believe that these teams are blatantly racist against Native Americans, but since it is very unlikely that all those sports organizations will change their names the only available solution is for us to educate ourselves against these stereotypes and not follow them.

Zaid Afanan September 17, 2012 Theater 300 Assignment #2