Appropriation

Austin Ryu

NAS A03

Appropriation

        The Native American’s culture, religion, and language can be seen being appropriated in the US. There are many sports teams which take on the tribal names, images, and human beings as mascots. For example, many Native Americans find it disturbing and disparaging from different football teams such as the Washington Redskins. There continues to be an ongoing debate whether the Redskins should change their name today. Personally, I believe that they should change it because it is a racial slur. Several college football teams resulted in changing their mascot name such as the Arkansas State Indians to the Red Wolves.  If college football teams can change their mascot, then professional football teams can do the same. Also, during Halloween, one would find many different people to be dressed up as Native Americans by putting on headwear and drawing war paint. There would even be options for girls to buy sexy Indian costumes online.

        Although I have yet to recognize the appropriation which exists in my culture, I have seen it in other different cultures such as the Chinese or Egyptians. There are tattoos of Chinese characters or Egyptian hieroglyphics, worn by people who have no interest or understanding of the original cultural significance. As a result, many different cultural groups, especially the Native Americans search for ways to counter against these appropriations. The Native Americans activists would take part in demonstrations and call out the offensiveness of mascots and headwear.  Rather than trying to honor Native Americans by idolizing their iconic figures, people should support tribal groups or Native American organizations instead.

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