Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

NEW YORK, NY - On July 23, 2001 The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) released a statement opposing the use of American Indian mascots.

The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) statement:

The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) is a human relations organization dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry, and racism. NCCJ promotes understanding and respect among all races, religions, and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution, and education. As an organization that is not limited to working with or for one constituency, NCCJ speaks out on behalf of all individuals and communities that are unfairly targeted on the basis of their race, faith, ethnicity, culture, class, sexual orientation, age, and ability.

The American Indian community continues to be targeted and negatively stereotyped through the use of their sacred images, symbols, and cultural and religious traditions by many sports teams. Objectifying American Indians through team names, logos, caricatures and mascots, which most often characterizes them as aggressive and violent, perpetuates racist terms that are often used against them. Many half-time shows mimic American Indian ceremonial practices for entertainment purposes which are deeply offensive and insulting to them as well as others. Not only do such programs often inappropriately display the sacred rituals of American Indians, but they also perpetuate historical inaccuracies. These practices undermine the respect and dignity of this country's first people, and completely disregard the great diversity among the more than 560 tribes of this nation.

NCCJ applauds the numerous schools, districts, colleges and universities, and semi-professional and professional teams that have changed their names, mascots, symbols and rituals, and calls for the elimination of such practices from all sports teams.

The continuous misrepresentation of the American Indian population by colleges and universities, semi-professional and professional sports teams are especially damaging because they are using stereotypes to capitalize on the negative pictures they are painting of the American Indian community. No other racial minority in the United States is objectified in such a manner, and it is totally inappropriate that sport franchises and schools continue to exacerbate such dehumanizing stereotypes.

For schools to condone such practices when they are responsible for educating our nation's youth is deplorable. America is strengthened by its diversity and the American Indian people have a unique role in our society due to their history, government-to-government relations, and numerous contributions which have enhanced the freedom, prosperity and greatness of this nation. These are the messages that should be taught to our youth and adults.

American Indian organizations estimate that several hundred schools have changed their names, symbols, and mascots to stop stereotypic caricatures. Unfortunately, more than 3,700 establishments still use them. There is no justification for the continued diminishing of American Indians, and NCCJ calls upon all persons to reject this and all other forms of bias, bigotry and racism which continue to divide rather than unite our nation.

Contact: Diane Powers, 202-682-2322 (ext.23) or Chrissie Reyes, 212-545-1300, of the NCCJ.