Recently, the use of Native American names and symbols has been deemed “objectionable.” Yet, for years, sports teams ㅡ from professional to high school ㅡ have used these names and symbols. Popular teams such as the Atlanta Braves, Washington Redskins, and even our own Hall High Warriors, have been caught up in the conflict and forced to change their supposed “offensive” logos, have been accused of degrading Native American culture.

The debate negatively impacts the teams, as well as the fans. Former President Barack Obama claimed that the fans of teams that reference Native Americans were not trying to “deliberately offend Native Americans.” According to a NY Times article, “Is it Offensive for Sports Teams to Use Native American Names and Mascots?”. Comments made by the former president have pushed organizations such as the NFL to defend names such as the Redskins.

 Florida State University’s mascot, the Seminoles and the popular Chief Osceola mascot, “who rides triumphantly onto the field on a spotted Appaloosa horse before every home football game,” has often been called into question. Despite this dispute, the Seminole Tribe granted FSU permission to continue to use their mascot. The tribe’s chairman, James Billie explained to Scholastic’s writer Alessandra Potenza, when writing Insult or Honor?, “We Seminoles embrace the mascot… they honor us.” The university now provides reduced tuition and scholarships to members of the Seminole tribe.

Typically, those in favor of using Native American names argue that the use of these and symbols are “an honor”;  however, Suzan Shown Harjo, a 69 year-old activist and a descendant of the Cheyenne and Hodulgee Muscogee tribe, who was interviewed for ESPN’s article, Why Use of Native American Nicknames is an Obvious Affront, argues that this statement “is like “an ‘honor’ conveyed without prior knowledge or approval. ‘It’s the bully telling his victims they should be proud of being abused.’” But, what Harjo fails to consider is that teams such as the Braves and Hall High School’s mascot, the Warriors, mean something more than a Native American symbol. For example, “warrior” is defined as “a person engaged or experienced in warfare; a soldier” and/or “a person who shows great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness” according to Dictionary.com and Merriam-Webster Dictionary. With this, these teams are using names that indicate strength and courage.

The use of the these names and symbols within sports teams are not meant to degrade Native American tribes. “We will never change the name of the team,” said Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder to USA Today. Snyder added, “I think that the Redskins fans understand the great tradition and what it’s all about and what it means…”.