The next thing you're going to say is that the Michigan State Spartan is insulting toward the Greeks. Where is the political correctness going to end? I'd say the image of a fighting Indian is better than the reality of the blackjack dealing drunk.

I don't disagree with Miss Sanger, but feel if she's going to make the argument against "human mascots," it should apply to all... no more "Vikings," or "Purple Knights," "Regents," or "Lancers" as can be found here in the Madison area. Miss Sanger should just committ, and say only animals or inanimate objects be used as mascots.
I don't think most people really care if you do away with "Indian mascots." What they do care about is a "double-standard." If a Native-American can be offended by a team called the "Chiefs," why can't a European-American be offended by a team called the "Vikings?"

Do you know how Wisconsin got to be known as the Badger State? Considering the animal, badger, is all but non-existent in the state, there has to be another reason for the name. The name is actually the derogatory name given to lead miners during the mid 1800s. It was not an endearing name. I personally think the UW, by keeping the name Badgers (as well as the state calling itself the Badger State) is very demeaning to those who are miners or have ever known a miner. I am contemplating starting a petition to force the UW to change it's mascot because my great great grand daddy was a lead miner and rumor has it he wept every time he heard the word Badger. How can the UW be so insensitive to those who built WI and made it great!?

Hello, I am native, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, located in central south dakota, while I agree with the offensiveness of the mascots and that they should be eliminated by all the schools, I would like to see consideration given to the so-called BIA schools or better known as the "indian schools" to choose whethere or not they would like to keep their current indian/native american mascots, I have no idea whether or not this has entered into any discussions or not, however that is just my opinion, thank you for hearing my out.

"I would like to see consideration given to the so-called BIA schools or better known as the "indian schools" to choose whethere or not they would like to keep their current indian/native american mascots"

Is that like where Blacks are the only people tah can use the N word?

Questions:

1. If your concern is issues facing people of color, aren't there just a few slightly bigger injustices in the world right now you could spend your time fighting? How about setting up a rally to protest the U.N.'s and America's continuing apathy and inexcusable inaction regarding the genocide in the Sudan? Here's a web site for you: http://www.darfurgenocide.org/

2. By calling Indian mascots "racist", without him first having any negative characteristics in anyone's eyes, aren't you race-baiting to incense others, and quiet dissenters, lest they be called racists?

3. Is this race-baiting cheapening the meaning of racism by associating it with something everyone considers to be loveable sports figures? Won't this overly-broad definition of racism make people roll their eyes when they hear the word "racism" and not listen when it really matters? Sort of a "Christ, here we go again" attitude? (I'll answer this one for you ...you absolutely are.)

4. Isn't using a certain ethnic group for a mascot a positive thing? People, especially children, love and respect their teams' mascots. Growing up Irish, I loved the Celtics and the Fighting Irish. None of the non-Irish in my elementary school had teams named after their heritage. Wearing a Notre Dame hat was special to me because one of the best (at that time, anyway) college football team in the country was named for my people. It also made me proud to hear about other things Irish that a normal 10-year-old would find impossibly boring, i.e. how St. Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland. Couldn't you apply the same logic to Indians, and others, taking an interest in Indian culture as a result of seeing an Indian figure portrayed in a positive light?

5. Who hates their mascot? NOBODY HATES THIER MASCOT. Nobody except, maybe, Marquette Students. Should've stayed the Warriors. What the hell is a Golden Eagle anyway?

6. How is using an Indian mascot a racial stereotype? In every other instance where people use the word "stereotype" when speaking of race or culture, it is associated with NEGATIVE aspects of the race / culture at issue (Irish fight a lot because they're drunks). What is negative about dressing up like Indians or using their names? The only negative thing I could possibly take from it is that Indians wear funny hats. Oh no.

7. Do you think you are further marginalizing the most marginalized people in American history? Do you want to shove them completely out of the American spotlight and psyche to the point where the only opportunity Americans have to even think of Indians or their culture is when they're yelling "blackjack"?

8. On the same token as #6, how can mascots be said to "dehumanize" Indians when this may be the only exposure (that's another sad story) people get of Indian culture, thus making Indians very real and very human? Though it is a pathetically small aspect of Indian culture, I'm sure it will cause more people, especially children, to take an interest in the topic ...at least more people than a white-guilt, self-righteous elitist with the nerve to call the rest of us racists.

Lighten up and get a real cause.

Again Mosinee is in dispute over the Native American Mascot. There is so much pride in a schools mascot... it symbolizes the pride in the school and promotes the spirit of the crowd. Fans and students of the school look at those mascots and feel a rush of school spirit that only the mascot can bring out. As I look back at my days in High School I will always see myself a Indian. What I feel distasteful about all this, somehow we are made to feel wrong or dirty because of our logo. WE HAVE NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF! The Native Americans feel as if this is a form of racism. By definition, racism is the feeling that one race is superior to another. This is not the case. It is not the feeling that Native Americans are any less superior than any of the other races. It is easy to see why their nationality has been seen as a symbol of strength and pride. They have survived being moved out and seen as outcasts in a country that was originally theirs. I SEE THIS as a symbol of strength and pride!

This also brings out the question.. should the name MOSINEE be changed also because it refers to a Native American.. again for those of you who don't know, Mosinee was named after an Indian. Here is an article that is proudly displayed about the history of Mosinee.
Little Bull Falls actually became known as Mosinee on July 22, 1857 when a post office branch was opened and the name Mosinee chosen for its official designation. The name Mosinee is thought to have originated from the name of a local Indian Chief and/or the Indian name for the particular bend in the "Great River" known as "Moose Knee". It is reported that the man selected to serve as the first postmaster objected to using the name Little Bull Falls on mail, feeling that it was too vulgar a name for the ladies to use in preparing their correspondence - hence the choice of a more acceptable name - Mosinee. When the Post Office was moved to the West side of the river, the name was also applied to the township.

I am tired of everyone trying to change the mascot of Mosinee. In a world of constant complainers and sue happy neighbors, WHEN WILL THIS STOP?

Whatever each of our opinions are on the Native American mascot/logo issue......if Native Americans find it offensive isn't that enough reason for schools to change to a less inflammatory mascot/logo?

Don't we have more pressing educational issues in Wisconsin than stubborn people digging their heels in about what their sports teams are called???

What justice does the continued cartoonization of Indian people serve? If Indian mascots are the only exposure some people get to anything remotely related to Indians, what comment does that make on our society at large? And, seriously, how inclined are your children to learn about Indians after seeing Chief Wahoo of the Cleveland Indians? How inclined do you think the rest of the world is to learn about Americans after seeing George Bush speak (and he's a real person)?!

I don't appreciate being called a "redskin, red devil, brave, squaw, or injun" any more than an African American person might enjoy being called "sambo". How "proud" do you think I feel when a white American guy snarls "squaw" in my face? Or, pushes my father aside and yells "dumb, redskin"? Oh yea, that's the kind of guy I want imitating my ancestors.

As to Darfur and genocide, you're right, U.S. inaction is inexcusable and unforgivable. Look at the history of this country and the continued mistreatment, caricaturization, ridicule, and dehumanizing of American Indian people. Are you surprised that the U.S. has done nothing in Darfur? And did nothing in Rwanda? Give me a break.

Americans would prefer we all remain stoic and silent like the Washington Redskins guy, or funny and comical like Chief Wahoo, or submissive and noble like Disney's Pocahontas. These mascots dehumanize by trivializing real Indian people and categorizing them into cartoon character personalities.

Taking away Indian mascots is not going to further marginalize Indian people, we're already there when you can't accept that one human group is asking another human group to treat them humanely and respectfully by not treating them like Halloween costumes.

I go to Wauwatosa East High School. I am very disappointed that the Native Americans find it offensive. Our mascot, logo, nickname, was never intended to be harmful or demeaning. I will be extremely upset if they do change our name. I'm an athlete there and have dreamed of being a Red Raider since I was 4 years old. I've enjoyed the atmosphere of the Wauwatosa East Red Raiders. Ever since my first basketball game in sixth grade, I have loved it. The cheers and spirit the fans bring. The school will not be the same without the nickname. Spirit will be lost. If I were an Indian(which I am partially, but a very small amount and you would never know) I would be honored that an amazingly talented high school full of athletes wanted to use my name, that they found it brave, strong, and powerful, to bring them good luck. I am very very upset because I will be a junior next year, and as most graduates know, you can go into the Raider Room only if you are a junior or senior. When I can finally use the Raider Room, it will be different. The pride and tradition will be lost. The yearbook theme last year was blast for the past. If you look at all the pictures, the Raider Room is seen many many times. The kids had the same pride and spirit as today. What will the Raider Room be without Tommy Raider? What will the Wauwatosa East Red Raiders be without their well-known name? What will the cheers be?

"We, we are, we are the mighty Raiders."