Will U.S. schools follow the big leagues and leave behind Native American mascots?

Even as professional teams shed “Indian” themed mascots or names, more than 1,000 K-12 schools continue to use Native “themed” logos.

Fans hold up signs during a 2018 game between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs at home at Progressive Field. In January 2018, the team announced that they would be phasing out the use of their logo — a cartoon caricature of a Native American man called Chief Wahoo, deemed derogatory among social justice advocates. Starting next baseball season, the Cleveland Indians will be called the Cleveland Guardians. But more than 1,000 K-12 schools continue to use Native “themed” mascots or names, including Redskins, Indians, or Chiefs.
Photograph by Daniella Zalcman, National Geographic

Often, the most die-hard supporters of Native American appropriation in team names and mascots argue that the names, mascots, and caricatures are meant to be an honor. They argue that names such as Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves, the National Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs, or the college football powerhouse Florida State Seminoles are all intended to extol the bravery, fighting spirits, or prowess of the American Indian. They further argue that efforts to cancel the names and images are nothing more than political correctness masquerading as morality.

However, Native American activists reject this notion on its face, arguing that all stereotypes are inevitably steeped in bias and are harmful—even those that attempt to romanticize an image or appear to be

Unlock this story for free
Create an account to read the full story and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles.

Unlock this story for free

Want the full story? Sign up to keep reading and unlock hundreds of Nat Geo articles for free.
Already have an account?
SIGN IN

Read This Next

What bacteria lurk in your city? Consult the bees.
Is melatonin giving you nightmares?
Why are these orcas killing sharks and removing their livers?

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet