Racist Mascots

       For many years now, the Atlanta Braves have avoided using the stereotypical "screaming Indian" mascot because it was seen as racist in the eyes of many Native Americans. Although recently, they have decided to bring back this controversial logo into their new design for batting practice caps. The logo includes a Native American wearing a mohawk with a feather and belting out a tribal yell. Many Native Americans today believe that this is unacceptable and that their race should not be viewed as this stereotypical mascot. This mascot was a part of the 1966 Atlanta Braves team and was hen retired in 1989.

      Kevin Gover, the director of the Smithsonian Institutions National Museum of the American Indian said that he was: "deeply disappointed that the Braves may be choosing to go backwards". He also stated that he grew up having to live with all sorts of stereotypes but he was hoping that his grandchildren wouldn't have to do the same. This screaming Indian is not portraying Native Americans for what they truly are. But then again, you have to wonder: are the complaining Native Americans just taking it too far? Perhaps the mascot was created to look like Native Indians from the past, and are not supposed to be a portrayal of current day Native Americans. In addition, even the NFL team "Redskins" still exists and I find that to be much more racist than a simple mascot on the teams batting helmet. Do you think that it is right for the Atlanta Braves to follow through with the adding of the logo? To read more about this article visit: http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/28/report-atlanta-braves-may-bring-back-screaming-indian-logo/