Does cultural appropriation have to be negative? Can it be done in a way that is respectful to a minority culture and still enriches the majority culture? If so, how?
Discuss. Post your answers as comments to this post.
Some links:
- The American Psychological Association called for an immediate end to American Indian sports mascots in 2005. They cited, among other things, the "particularly harmful effects of American Indian sports mascots on the social identity development and self-esteem of American Indian young people."
- Wikipedia has a balanced treatment of the issue. Partisans on each side of the controversy correct each other's language and thus keep each other honest.
- Florida State University and the Seminole Tribe of Florida have worked out a culturally sensitive approach that the Seminole tribe and Florida State fans agree on.
Some background. The issue is complex, and no compromise will make everyone happy. But Florida State has been cited as an example of one that worked fairly well.
Some observers make a distinction when American Indians choose a tribal name for their own teams. The high school in Cherokee, N.C., for example, calls its athletic teams the Braves. Yet Native American activists have protested the Atlanta Braves and, especially, the "tomahawk chop" seen at ballgames as insensitive and offensive. When the Braves played the Cleveland Indians in 1995, the activists had a field day. Closer to home, of course, the University of Illinois had its moments of controversy, too, when white students dressed up like Indians and performed what they thought was a "Native American dance" at ballgames.
22 comments:
The image and name of the Seminole Chief serves as a symbol for Florida State University. Also, several high school athletic programs in the state of Florida, use the nickname, "Seminoles." The NCAA prohibits the use of Native American logos, signs in stadiums, uniforms, or mascots. The Seminoles are an exception to the rule. FSU was exempt because both the 3,100-member Seminole Tribe of Florida and the 6,000-member Seminole Nation of Oklahoma officially approved the relationship and the details of the images used.
I believe that both Florida State University and the Seminole tribe won. Florida State gets to use their original name and uphold the traditions and history of the state of Florida. And the Seminole tribe gets recognition, which might be used as marketing for their casinos, which can bring in more money for their reservations and way of life. Also, this just makes people aware of the name of the tribe, Seminoles. Because their name is used as a university logo, it has probably brought tons of recognition to the tribe.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association agreed with the 3,100-member tribe and the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, which had also endorsed the nickname. The N.C.A.A. removed Florida State from the list of universities banned from using what it called "hostile and abusive" mascots and nicknames during postseason play.
On Aug. 5, the N.C.A.A. executive committee issued the ban, which is scheduled to go into effect in February. The prohibition concerns logos, signs in stadiums, cheerleader and band uniforms, and mascots.
I think that everyone loses, the people lost their mascots, and the Indians lost some supporters. I don't don't think mascots dipict how the animal or person would act. It is just someone in a suit jumping around and trying to raise the crowds spirits.
The NCAA prohibits the use of native American logos and mascots. HOwever, FSU was exempt from this. That's because the Seminole tribles of both FL and OK aprroved the images used.
To me its a win win situation for FSU and the tribes. THe school gets to keep the mascot and the tribe gets recognition. For schools like U of I, its a losing situation. Just because a person in a suit jumps up and down doesn't mean that's how that person/animal would act. Its part of their job...to get the student body and the rest of the crowd "pumped up."
I feel that it was a shame for the University of Illinois to lose its most prized attribute in Chief Illiniwek when he lost Chief Illiniwek the university became depressed for the simple reason that they also found out the Florida State University was able to keep their school halftime shows with the siminole doing a authentic Native American dance, and Illiniwek did the same exact thing, Because their name is used as a university logo, it has brought a large amount of recognition to the tribes of Illinois, and Florida.
In my opinion, this matter has been blown out of proportion!!! I don't believe that the school is using the "Seminole" name to harm or mock the tribe!! Yet if the tribe has a problem with them using it they should respect their wishes and not use it!!
Yet they both came to a compromise and agreed to work things out in everyones benefit!!
cultural appropreation can not be done with out getting some one angry.
As far as Native Americans for mascots. I feel that if the mascot is done as an honor symbol and not as a mockery (sp) it seems ok to me. If the mascot was a big foam head that was made to look funny, then I would say it should be banned. But with Chief Illinewek and the Florida State Seminole, they are seen as leader. They are respected. The dance of the Chief at Illinois basketball games was not done to make fun of the people. It was done as a symbol of respect and dignity. If an entire student body standing and saluting in honor of the Chief is a sign of disrespect, then you can disrespect me in that way any day. I would be flattered by such an ovation.
I think if the native culture is represented in a school it should be allowed as long as it's not degrading to the tribe. In the case of Florida State the Indians that were represented with that school stated that it was alright that they continue to support their tribe by using a mascot for the school. One would think the Indians would want their symbol ans culture to live on, and universities are a great way to get that acknowledgment.
Cultural Appropriation is not that big of a deal to me. I think that if other cultures want to do what others do there should be nothing wrong with that. I too don't think that schools are using Native American tribes as mascots as a way of bashing them. However i can see where they are coming from if they think that schools use them as a "warrior" type of mascot. But, either way i don't think it should be a big deal.
I believe that tribes who are offended by schools who have them as mascots just want to be heard. They have had no respect since we have immigrated to the states, and now that we are using them as mascots they finally have something they can stand up against and potentially win. The Seminole tribe is the only tribe in which they were okay with a school using them as its mascot. I believe that tribes should take it as a sign of respect and honor. It is a pretty big deal when a major university wants to have your tribe represent its school, obviously they are not trying to mock or abuse the tribe's name, they want to represent it with honor.
The NCAA banned the use of hostile mascots. Florida uses seminoles to describe it. They dont want Native American logos or sings in the stadium. I think this was blown out of proportion becuase I dont think the school was trying to get everybody rowled up.
Cultural appropiration is not always intended on making that specific culture upset!! Sometimes people from different backgrounds are interested in something different and new!! Yet, when what is being done is viewed as being harmful or as if the culture is being "mocked" then it does not need to be done!! This is a situation when no one really wins!!!
The seminole chief is more than just a name it is a symbol of the native american people. It is also a symbol of Florida State University. Several high schools and colleges around the country have there mascot as the seminoles. this is offensive to some american indians.
I think Florida State is a good example of cultural appropriation being done in a way that is not negative. With issues like this there will always be people who aren't happy with the current situation. However, it is hard to argue when the Seminole tribe and Florida State University have worked with each other to come up with a mascot that is respectful and is appropriate to the tribe. I think that the example of FSU is something that is very positive because it shows the tribe and university working together.
Native American mascot names usually fit the fighting motto that many sports teams want tto have. Many teams have Indian mascot names because they bring out a sense of war or battle to the occasion. I think these mascots don't really harm anyone as long as they don't do stupid stuff on the field or bring negative attention to themselves. I think that Florida State isn't hurting anyone by having the Seminole as their mascot. They aren't making fun of the indians.
I think that if the mascot is treated with respect to the culture, then it should be allowed. Most teams have mascots that are about some sense of pride or fighting tendecies. In my opinion i think it should be ok to have these mascots but then again im not part of that culture
The Florida State Seminoles were allowed to use the image of their mascot because the seminole tribes of both Florida and OK approved them. In this situation, both sides win. The Seminole Tribes get the respect and Florida State gets to keep its mascot. This is not always the case though, for example Chief Illiniwek. I think most schools like Illinois wanted to handle it in the same fashion but were unable too. I think a lot of people see native american mascots as mocking the tribes.
I dont think cultural appropriation has to be negative but in most cases it is seen like that. The problem is that a lot of the time it is meant to be negative so it is hard to determine the difference.
i think they both won since they came to an agreement, plus florida kept their name and more people are aware of this tribe now. the fans and teammates are not trying to cause any harm, if anything they are respecting their traditions and culture.
Seminole Chief serves as a symbol for Florida State University. Many schools in Florida also use the "Seminoles" for a Mascot as well. The NCAA prohibits the use of Native Americans logos. I think people are hurting themselves and Florida more my taking away their Mascot. The Seminole tribe was traditional tribe in Florida and making them a mascot, many should be grateful. Seminole tribe should be happy that Florida wants to give them recognition for what they have done.
I feel that it is ok to have different cultures. I think that everyone should have their rights to what they believe in. I do not think that using the symbol is in anyway having a negative effect toward the tribe. I feel that in a way it could be supporting them. But i do not see it is negative.
I believe that both Florida State University and the Seminole tribe won. Chief Illinewek and the Florida State Seminole are seen as leaders. They are respected. The dance of the Chief at Illinois basketball games was not done to make fun of the people. It was done as a symbol of respect and dignity. You would think the Indians would want their symbol and culture to live on, and universities/mascots are a great ways to do that.
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