Though many individuals argue racism no longer exists in American society, nothing could be further from the truth. Although racism may be less overt than in the past and is touted as being ôpolitically incorrect,ö numerous examples that racism is alive and well abound in American culture. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident and blatant than in the case of Native Americans. Racism is basically the belief that a person or group of persons is inferior due to their race. Racism perpetuates the myth that Native Americans are inferior to whites, something that often causes Native Americans to be subjected to ridicule, prejudice, and violence. This analysis will demonstrate racism exists in American culture by illustrating the misleading portrayal of Pocahontas in the Disney film of that name and through examples of Native American racism in school sports mascots.
Despite it being politically incorrect to advocate racism, one area of American culture where racism remains overt and blatant is among sports team mascots. From Chief Osceola, the Florida State UniversityÆs football mascot who rides a horse in war paint and Indian dress before each game to the Kansas City Chiefs, mascots and sports team names in American society continue to dehumanize Native Americans. Florida students use a ôtomahawk chopö to intimidate opposing teams and fans, with their faces covered in war-paint. Such images reinforce the notion that Native Americans are savages. To see the intolerance such stereotypical portrayals of Native Americans represents, Dr. Richard Lapchick, of Northeastern University, provides a comparison, ôCould you imagine people mocking African Americans in black face at a game? You go to a game where there is a team with an Indian name and you will see fans with war paint on their faces. Is this not the equivalent to black faceö (Native 1)?
A more subtle but perhaps more pernicious form of r
...