Native Americans should decide themselves on offensive mascots

An article from USA Today’s Jon Saraceno on the use of Native American mascots. I fully agree with his perspective and especially like the following:

“Imagery doesn’t have to be considered negative to be offensive to those whom it adversely affects. Everyone spies the world through a set of preconceived binoculars. We don’t need more cues from outdated societal prejudices to cement our biases. Native American imagery is so engrained in our nation’s consciousness that many never recognize the psychological damage it inflicts upon a group already all but annihilated.”

For those who deem the use of the mascots as traditional and even well intentioned, why not ask the folks who it is supposedly honoring. They should be the final judge. If you can condone such use of a caricature, perhaps there is room for mascots such as the “Trailer Trash” or the “White Collar Embezzlers.”

Here’s a link to Jon’s full article.