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NCAA ruling has some teams seeing 'red'

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Barb

Barb

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The NCAA's decision to ban logos and team names that they consider offensive to Native Americans has some schools up in arms. What's odd is that certain teams (like the FSU Seminoles) are embattled over their team name and logo, while others that only peripherally refer to Indians (like any team named 'Braves' or 'Warriors') aren't in trouble.

The NCAA's decision to ban all Native American names and images from postseason play is based on the concept of ethnic sensitivity. However, the Florida tribe of Seminoles wholeheartedly support the FSU team and their mascot, the revered Chief Osceola. However, the Oklahoma tribe condemns it, and that's where the battle lines have been drawn. FSU officials have vowed to take the case to the Supreme Court if necessary.

If the NCAA's ban stays in place, how soon before pro teams like the Washington Redskins are affected? Or the Cleveland Indians?
 
I don't know. The ruling seems inconsistent to me, at the very least. However, one tribe of Seminoles (from Florida) doesn't mind, while another tribe (from Oklahoma) doesn't like it.

Here's abit of history on the team name.
 
This is...what? The fiftieth time this debate has popped up on the national circuit in the last decade?

People are too sensitive. It's one thing if it's the mascot jumping up and down doing stereotypical Indian acts. But as is, I don't understand why these tribes are in such a huff. Although this is one of those issues where I have an opinion, but I don't think my opinion should matter. I think this should come down to how the Native American population feels. And I'm talking full-bloded. Or at least 1/4. Not all these 1/16th idiots.

But doing a quick Google search on the topic has netted some interesting things:

First, the complete list of "offensive" names -

Alcorn State University (Braves)
Arkansas State University (Indians)
Bradley University (Braves)
Carthage College (Redmen)
Catawba College (Indians)
Central Michigan University (Chippewas)
Chowan College (Braves)
Florida State University (Seminoles)
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indians)
McMurry University (Indians)
Midwestern State University (Indians)
Mississippi College (Choctaws)
Newberry College (Indians)
Southeastern Oklahoma State University (Savages)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Illini)
University of Louisiana-Monroe (Indians)
University of North Dakota (Fighting Sioux)
University of Utah (Utes)

Ironically, the one that I think would be most offensive is in Oklahoma...where a large number of Indian tribes are located.

Second bit of interesting information: The Oklahoma Seminole tribe does NOT have a problem with FSU using the tribe name. Some members ARE against it but, obviously, in any large body you'll find people for and against it.

Other interesting tidbits:

Indian Country Today (Indian-centric newspaper's take on the issue)

Another Indian point of view on the issue
 
Second bit of interesting information: The Oklahoma Seminole tribe does NOT have a problem with FSU using the tribe name. Some members ARE against it but, obviously, in any large body you'll find people for and against it.

From reading a blurb about this issue in a local paper, it sounded like the entire tribe didn't like the idea. They didn't state that 'a few members' were against it, they just used the term 'tribe'.
 
Heh, this is nothing compared to what's going on in Britain. For example, Employers were banned from including mentionings of Christmas on cards sent out to their workers on the grounds that stating the existance of Jesus may prove offensive to Muslims.
 
There comes a point where tolerance and sensitivity goes overboard.
 
Barb said:
Second bit of interesting information: The Oklahoma Seminole tribe does NOT have a problem with FSU using the tribe name. Some members ARE against it but, obviously, in any large body you'll find people for and against it.

From reading a blurb about this issue in a local paper, it sounded like the entire tribe didn't like the idea. They didn't state that 'a few members' were against it, they just used the term 'tribe'.
Click to expand...

This says that the NCAA quoted them, but were wrong. Now, that may be outdated, but it's the third mentioning I've found of it. Maybe your source is more recent.

There comes a point where tolerance and sensitivity goes overboard.
Click to expand...

Amen to that.
 
My source was City Link, a free weekly arts and entertainment newspaper. It's dated August 17-23, 2005.
 
Then maybe your source is right, since the latest mine had were August 14.
 
Jynx is something completely different. Stuff like that is where vague comparisons can be drawn. With the mascots, it's obvious who they're trying to mimic. I don't see the problem, but I can see how others would have a problem with it. Especially with teams like the "Savages". Or anytime when these groups are mocked in the name of sports.
 
Yeah, but it's still a case of people going out of their way to avoid offending other people. Savages? Yes. But Warriors, Braves, Chiefs? No.
 
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