Nicknames and Mascots, Part 2: Native People are NOT your Mascot
Jan Plotczyk • March 16, 2021
Read Part 1 here.
The nation is currently debating whether it is wrong to use Native American nicknames and mascots for schools and athletic teams. Five of Maryland’s Eastern Shore high schools still use Native American nicknames. While some of those schools have taken steps to discontinue the use of more offensive images and characterizations, the question remains: should Native American nicknames and mascots be used at all, especially by schools, or are they racist appropriations that knowingly or unknowingly perpetuate stereotypes?
Many fans and members of affected school communities have reacted negatively to name changes or even suggestions of name changes. They cite political correctness run rampant and decry the "cancel culture" of today’s society. Defenders of the names claim they draw on tradition. Most who object to changing the names and mascots claim that their use is intended to honor or commemorate Native Americans, not to denigrate them. They claim that Native people support the use of these nicknames and mascots. Theirs is a defensive posture claiming to preserve history.
But who should write the history of Native peoples? And what are the effects of these nicknames on Native Americans and on society?
To examine these questions, Ezra J. Zeitler wrote his 2008 geography doctoral thesis on this subject: Geographies of Indigenous-based Team Name and Mascot Use in American Secondary Schools. In it he makes the case that “the issue of Native American mascots is an important one in the struggle for Indigenous autonomy and self-definition.” He contends that the nicknames and imagery are harmful because they communicate a false image of Native people as being characteristically and stereotypically belligerent and warlike.
Zeitler goes on to say that when these nicknames and images are used in learning environments, they take on added authority, and that the significant influence of teachers and peers can reaffirm racial stereotypes.
The American Psychological Association passed a strongly worded resolution 15 years ago calling for the immediate retirement of all team nicknames, mascots, and other derogatory representations based on Native American heritage. It based this position on key findings from a wide range of psychological and sociological research that shows the harmful effects of racial stereotyping and inaccurate racial portrayals.
The APA wrote that racist and derogatory nicknames and mascots can establish an unwelcome and hostile learning environment for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) students. But just as importantly, these mascots undermine the educational experience of all students, particularly those with little or no contact with Indigenous people — as in our Eastern Shore high schools. The symbols, images, and mascots teach non-Indian children that it's acceptable to perpetuate mistaken beliefs about American Indian culture.
A 2001 statement from the U.S. Commission of Civil Rights (calling for an end to the use of Native American images and team names by non-Native schools) explains: “The stereotyping of any racial, ethnic, religious, or other groups when promoted by our public educational institutions, teaches all students that stereotyping of minority groups is acceptable, a dangerous lesson in a diverse society. Schools have a responsibility to educate their students; they should not use their influence to perpetuate misrepresentations of any culture or people.”
The APA also found that these representations have a direct negative impact on the self-esteem of Native American youth. Dr. Stephanie Fryberg, the leading researcher in this area and a psychology professor at the University of Arizona, states that “American Indian mascots are harmful not only because they are often negative, but because they remind American Indians of the limited ways in which others see them. This, in turn, restricts the number of ways American Indians can see themselves.”
There is no good reason to limit children’s image of themselves and of what they can be.
Cierra Fields, a Cherokee and member of the National Congress of American Indians Youth Cabinet, says in the APA paper: “When I see people wearing headdresses and face paint or doing the tomahawk chop, it makes me feel demeaned. The current society does not bother to learn that our ways, customs, dress, symbols, and images are sacred. They claim it’s for honor but I don’t see honor in non-Natives wearing face paint or headdresses as they are not warriors who have earned the right. My heritage and culture is not a joke. My heritage and culture is not a fashion statement. For me, it ultimately boils down to respect. Respect our heritage by not using a caricature of a proud people but by learning about our history.”
IllumiNative is a new nonprofit project, created and led by Native peoples. It is designed to increase the visibility of — and to challenge the negative narrative about — Native Nations and peoples in American society. Their website announces that “Native People are NOT your Mascot.” The organization advances several arguments that support the end of the use of Native American nicknames, mascots, and imagery.
First, contrary to dominant culture claims, Native peoples do not support Native mascots. Flawed opinion polls have been used to silence Native people on this subject and to justify the perpetuation of Native nicknames and mascots. New peer-reviewed scientific studies show, however, that Native peoples are overwhelmingly offended by team names that are racist slurs, and by Native mascots and racist fan behavior.
Next, as mentioned above, research on the psychosocial effects of Native American mascots on Native youth shows these damaging effects: lowered self-esteem; increased rates of depression, self-harm, and substance abuse; and increasing discrimination in schools against Native students.
Finally, racist imagery desensitizes us all to violent and oppressive behavior toward other people. Degrading and humiliating stereotypes dehumanize entire groups of people. Use of these images encourages fans to mock Native people, defame Indigenous cultures, and perpetuate negative stereotypes by “playing Indian” — doing things like wearing sacred headdresses, shouting war whoops, and doing the “tomahawk chop.”
The Center for American Progress, in a 2014 report, recommended among other steps that State-level boards of education and education agencies should identify schools in their state using Native American nicknames and imagery, examine their impact, and develop recommendations to remove harmful representations. Perhaps it’s time for the Maryland State Board of Education to update its 2001 guidance on stereotypical nicknames and mascots, since virtually no progress has been made since then.
There is also no reason why local government agencies cannot get involved. The Montgomery County School Board prohibited the use of Indian names or racial, gender, or cultural stereotypes for mascots, logos, and school team names in 2001. If the state will not mandate this, perhaps the local school boards will.
Finally, the time has never been better to raise this issue with the Cecil, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester boards of education. Yes, there’s still covid-19, but that should not stop these conversations. Be prepared for a major money objection; the few schools that have changed names recently have needed about $80,000 for rebranding — everything from signs to stationery to uniforms. The alumni/ae community will probably be against such a move, citing tradition, but the current students may well be more empathetic than their parents and grandparents.
The spotlight is on discriminatory and racist behavior and institutional racism, and it is time to address the negative impacts of Native American nicknames, mascots, and imagery in sports, schools, and society. There is really no reason to retain them. The use of disparaging Indigenous-based nicknames not only negatively affects Native Americans, it affects everyone.
Racism hurts us all.
Sources:
Zeitler, Ezra J., "Geographies of Indigenous-based Team Name and Mascot Use in American Secondary Schools" (2008).
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=geographythesis
American Psychological Association, “Summary of the APA Resolution Recommending Retirement of American Indian Mascots,” (2005).
Statement of U.S. Commission on Civil Rights on the Use of Native American Images and Nicknames as Sports Symbols (2001).
https://www.usccr.gov/press/archives/2001/041601st.htm
https://illuminatives.org/change-the-name/
Fryberg, Stephanie A, Eason, Arianne E, Brady, Laura M., “Unpacking the Mascot Debate: Native American Identification Predicts Opposition to Native Mascots” (2020).
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1948550619898556?journalCode=sppa&
Davis-Delano, Laurel L., Gone, Joseph P., Fryberg, Stephanie A., “The psychosocial effects of Native American mascots: a comprehensive review of empirical research findings” (2020).
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13613324.2020.1772221?journalCode=cree20
Phillips, Victoria, and Stegman, Erik, “Missing the Point: The Real Impact of Native Mascots and Team Names on American Indian and Alaska Native Youth” (2014).
https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1003&context=fasch_rpt
Resolution of the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs (2001).
https://aistm.org/maryland.resolution.2001.htm
Jan Plotczyk spent 25 years as a survey and education statistician with the federal government, at the Census Bureau and the National Center for Education Statistics. She retired to Rock Hall.
Common Sense for the Eastern Shore
The Republican Congress and President Trump are causing a health care crisis and Democrats are trying to fix it. Passed in July, the GOP budget reconciliation bill is drastically cutting health insurance programs to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. Rep. Andrew P. Harris (R-MD01) voted for the budget reconciliation bill. He voted, knowing that his vote would mean that health care costs would rise for 25,000 of his constituents in Maryland’s First Congressional District:
Efforts by the Trump administration to delay a critical court case over Maryland’s offshore wind project have failed, marking another setback in the president’s campaign to block renewable energy development along the East Coast. On Oct. 2, U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie Gallagher denied a motion filed by the Department of Justice to pause an ongoing lawsuit involving US Wind’s proposed 114-turbine wind farm off Ocean City. The administration had argued that the federal government’s shutdown prevents its attorneys from continuing the case. The judge’s swift rejection ensures that the litigation and progress on one of Maryland’s most significant clean energy projects will continue. Initially filed by Ocean City officials and a small group of residents nearly a year ago, the suit challenges the federal approval of US Wind’s project, which would deliver enough clean electricity to power more than 700,000 homes. Under the Biden administration, the federal government had defended the project in partnership with US Wind. That stance was reversed after Trump took office earlier this year and installed officials hostile to offshore wind. In September, the Trump administration filed a separate motion seeking to vacate federal approval for the Maryland project altogether, a move widely condemned by environmental advocates, labor groups, and business leaders who see offshore wind as a cornerstone of Maryland’s energy and economic future. US Wind responded forcefully to the shutdown motion, warning the court that the administration’s attempts to delay proceedings could allow it to undermine the project’s approval behind the scenes quietly. The company argued that halting the case would create “existential risks” for the future of Maryland’s offshore wind industry. Judge Gallagher agreed that the case should move forward, setting the next status hearing for Oct. 7. The Trump administration’s repeated efforts to obstruct offshore wind development come as Maryland and other states have invested heavily in building the infrastructure, workforce, and port facilities needed to anchor the growing clean energy industry. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has championed the sector as a key driver for well-paying jobs and long-term economic resilience for the Eastern Shore. Supporters of US Wind point out that the project will bring over $1 billion in investment to Maryland, generate thousands of construction and maintenance jobs, and help deliver cleaner, more affordable energy to homes and businesses across the region. “Offshore wind isn’t just about turbines, it’s about jobs, innovation, and independence,” one clean energy advocate said after the ruling. “Every delay costs working Marylanders opportunity, and this decision ensures progress continues.” While the broader lawsuit over the project’s approval is ongoing, the latest ruling represents a clear win for those fighting to keep Maryland’s offshore wind future on track — and a blow to Trump’s attempt to turn back the clock on clean energy.
Maryland has eight congressional districts, and the seats for all but District 01 are filled by Democrats. As we well know, the First District representative is a Republican — Andrew P. Harris. Here’s what Maryland’s congressional district map is now.
With standing room only at Salisbury’s Historic Poplar Hill Mansion, and blending policy, community service, and grassroots energy, Megan Outten launched her campaign for Wicomico County Council District 7 before almost 100 supporters on Oct. 4. The event drew community residents, labor leaders, and local officials, many of whom also helped to pack nearly 300 care kits for Wicomico residents in need. The community service effort doubled as a campaign statement about what Outten calls “choosing connection over convenience.” District 7 is one of Wicomico’s newly drawn single-member districts, with a Democratic advantage of 7.7%. Outten recalled her family’s history of service in Fruitland and Salisbury. “Service isn’t just politics in my family,” she said. “It’s how you belong to a place. It’s how you prove you care.” She pointed to the county’s landfill crisis, water and septic system failures, and school underfunding as examples of leadership that reacts rather than plans. “This is what happens when leaders only react after things break,” she said. “It costs us more. It hurts families. It robs our kids of the future they deserve.” Outten was joined by several local leaders who offered strong endorsements and reflections on her record. AFSCME Local 3 Eastern Shore representative Jack Hughes praised her leadership on the Salisbury City Council, crediting her with helping pass the Eastern Shore’s first municipal labor code, a significant win for city workers and first responders. Councilman Josh Hastings, who represents the district and is running for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 38B, said Outten would be “crucial in carrying forward the progress we’ve made” on clean water, schools, and infrastructure planning. Whitney Snowden-Olanrewaju from Blending Cultures, a non-profit organization that promotes diversity and equality, spoke about Outten’s record of community inclusion and bridge-building across diverse groups. Outten’s campaign is expected to roll out additional endorsements in the coming weeks. In her speech, she outlined a platform focused on fully funding schools, investing in infrastructure before it fails, and ensuring that county government works for everyone. “This campaign is not mine,” she told the crowd. “It’s ours. I am not standing above you. I am standing with you. And together, we will put Wicomico families first.” With enthusiasm, endorsements, and her message that’s focused on service and accountability, Outten’s kickoff reinforced that District 7 is already shaping up to have a strong favorite in 2026.
Community Rallies After Theft of Car Containing Hundreds of Care Kits for Wicomico Residents in Need
An act of inhumanity in Salisbury has sparked an outpouring of compassion. Early on Oct. 5, community organizer Jared Schablein’s car was stolen from his backyard. Inside the vehicle were hundreds of care kits assembled just days earlier during Megan Outten’s Wicomico County Council District 7 campaign kickoff event. Packed by volunteers at Salisbury’s Poplar Hill Mansion, the kits contained feminine hygiene products, socks, and toiletries meant for Wicomico County residents facing housing insecurity. “Those kits were meant for neighbors in need,” said Schablein. “If nothing else, I hope whoever took them returns them. Getting those care kits to the folks who need them matters more to me than anything else.” Schablein and Outten have turned the theft into action, launching a new effort called the “Care Kits Comeback Drive.” The event, scheduled for Oct. 12 at 2pm at Poplar Hill Mansion, aims to replace every lost kit, and more. Volunteers are asked to bring or donate items such as sanitary wipes, socks, toothpaste, period products, and underwear. Donations will support the Wicomico County Library, Help and Outreach Point of Entry, and other local service organizations. In announcing the new drive, Schablein emphasized the deeper meaning behind the effort: “When acts of inhumanity happen, the best response is acts of humanity. We’re showing that Salisbury’s compassion can’t be stolen.” Despite the setback, organizers say community support has been overwhelming. Donations began arriving within hours of the announcement, and several local groups have offered to distribute supplies once the new kits are complete. The theft is still under investigation by the Salisbury Police Department. As one volunteer put it at the last event, “Community isn’t guaranteed, it’s built.” This Sunday, Salisbury will build it again.
What began as a grassroots campaign to preserve a parcel of local land has become one of the most inspiring community movements on the Eastern Shore. Led by residents James and Mikele Dahlen and Holly Campbell, alongside dozens of volunteers, the Save Connelly Mill Park effort reached a significant milestone last week as Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources Josh Kurtz toured the site with local and state officials to explore opportunities for partnership and permanent protection. On Sept. 23, citizens gathered at Connelly Mill Park with a delegation of state and county leaders, including Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, Del. Barry Beauchamp, County Council President John Cannon, Vice President Jeff Merritt, Councilman James Winn, and local municipal representatives from Delmar and Salisbury. The tour marked the strongest signal to date that the state may play an active role in turning the park’s long-promised vision into reality. Advocates for Save Connelly Mill Park presented Kurtz with a booklet outlining the site’s environmental, historical, and economic importance. The presentation highlighted Connelly Mill’s potential to become a keystone of Wicomico’s park system — protecting the Paleochannel aquifer, preserving wildlife habitats, and providing much-needed green space for recreation and community gathering. Located just five miles from Salisbury, the 234-acre property has rolling forest, wetlands, and unique topography that advocates say could one day make it the “Central Park of Wicomico County.” “The natural beauty of Connelly Mill spoke for itself,” said one organizer after the event. “What we have here is not just land, it’s a promise to future generations.” Adding to the momentum, the community’s advocacy materials were presented directly to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore the next day at the Tawes Crab and Clam Bake in Crisfield, where he was briefed on the citizens’ efforts and growing local support. The proposed park would provide walking trails, open space for families, and educational opportunities while safeguarding vital water resources and promoting mental, physical, and social well-being for county residents. For many, the movement to save Connelly Mill has come to represent more than just one park. It’s about accountability, long-term planning, and ensuring public commitments to community spaces are kept. “We’re not out of the woods yet,” the group shared in a recent update. “But the spotlight is on Connelly Mill, and the momentum is growing.” As the state evaluates whether to designate Connelly Mill as a Partnership Park, supporters say they will continue to meet with officials and rally community engagement to ensure this once-forgotten project finally fulfills its promise. If realized, Connelly Mill would not only protect vital natural resources — it would stand as testament to what determined citizens can build when they refuse to give up.
