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Debate Info

28
44
Change controversial mascots Do not change mascots
Debate Score:72
Arguments:62
Total Votes:79
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 Change controversial mascots (26)
 
 Do not change mascots (36)

Debate Creator

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Spring 2014 - Controversial Mascots

Change controversial mascots

Side Score: 28
VS.

Do not change mascots

Side Score: 44
2 points

I believe that offensive mascots should change. Over the past 5 years schools have been changing there names from, racist, stereotypical names into names that help represent the school in a positive fashion. For example a D1 college, Stanford has changed its mascot from an Indian mascot to a cardinal

(Learned from the article Mind Your Own Mascot). Many Indians were a fan of this change. Most people would say that some Indians liked it but some people are getting hurt so they need to change.

Side: Change controversial mascots
1 point

Its kinda like racism “Its not so much like calling a African American colored just thair stealing the names and tribe symbols.” Mind Ur Own Mascot

Side: Change controversial mascots

I believe offencive mascots need to change. Because it dos not send a good message to the kids. The article Arab-Americans cry foul over California high school mascot states, “What makes it worse is that its coming from a school district. there supposed to be teaching kids to respect other cultures.” in addition it also states “after almost a century of embracing the “arabian Nights” fantasy, “i'm not sure that people are really spending a lot of time thinking about how offencive it might be”

Side: Change controversial mascots
1 point

I agree because they are making a fool out of the mascots and if the children in the schools are learning about Indian culture, why do they need to see the foolish mascots? "Jackie Cutler says American Indian mascots should be banned, especially, “In a state that mandates teaching of Indian culture.”

Side: Change controversial mascots

I believe mascots need to be changed. It makes the indian tribe that they are look foolish and stupid. The article mind your own mascot states “...Native american sports references are insulting.” it also states “american indian mascots and logos promote negitive stereotypes.”

Side: Change controversial mascots
0 points

Some people don't learn about their mascot enough and some people find that offencive.

My first piece of evidence is In the article Pannel: Native american Mascots Devalues Culture it states “...a cheerleader came running onto the field wearing what looked like a native american headdress and buckskin clothing... teenage girl flipped around and did cartwheels for the entertainment of the fans in the stands... his daughter became so offended, her eyes filled with tears and she asked if they could leave.” That same article also states it also states “That girl doesn't understand that every feather in that headdress would have been earned in battle. She wouldn't know that each one represents a life that was taken.”

Side: Change controversial mascots
19abenbrooks(9) Disputed
3 points

If that show was a very big deal to that family why don't they just change the show and remove the feathers from the head dress.

Side: Do not change mascots
19brobertson(10) Disputed
0 points

To make it not defensive they would have to change there whole mascot and its not a show its a cheerleader during a footbal game

Side: Change controversial mascots
0 points

I think that they should change the Washington Redskins mascot because, according to Native American Mascots Devalues Culture Mr. Cooper a full-blooded American Indian stated that his daughter became so offended by the mascot her eyes filled with tears and she asked if they could leave. Also Arab-Americans Cry Foul Over California high school mascot they said that most recently, the Oneida Indian Nation, a Native American tribe in upstate New York, took the NFL's Washington Redskins to task for it's name which the tribe then stated that it was a racial slur. President Barack Obama had weighed in on the debate and had said that he would have considered changing the mascot if he had owned the mascot.

Side: Change controversial mascots
2 points

I agree with Ida because the schools and community would go much more smoothly when the mascots are something that isn't offensive to some peoples backgrounds.

“ It allows bans on logos, nicknames, and mascots based on Native Americans and other races.” According to the article, “Honor or Insult”

Side: Change controversial mascots
19sngo(6) Disputed
2 points

That's true but just because of the offended problem doesn't mean that the mascot actually means it. Maybe it was some sort of problem or the mascot looked at something else than the girl. Also, Barack Obama wouldn't change the mascot if he'd like the mascot he would have.

Side: Do not change mascots
19iparrett(11) Disputed
1 point

I do see where you are coming from but so many people are taking it as offensive and racist and as Marli said, that if the mascot wasn't offensive or racist things would be going more smoothly. And Obama said that he would change it if he owned it so he is saying that it is being racist and offensive. So therefore I do think that they should change the mascots. I am not saying what you had is wrong I am just saying that most people do think tat it is offending.

Side: Change controversial mascots
3 points

I think we should not change school mascots because some Native Americans feel honored. The Florida State University kept its name after receiving support from Seminole tribes. Spirit Lake Member Eunice Davidson told the New York Times " I am very honored they would use that name."

-Honor or Insult

Side: Do not change mascots
19brobertson(10) Disputed
1 point

most people are offended by that. In the article Pannel: Native american Mascots Devalues Culture it clearly states “...a cheerleader came running onto the field wearing what looked like a native american headdress and buckskin clothing... teenage girl flipped around and did cartwheels for the entertainment of the fans in the stands... his daughter became so offended, her eyes filled with tears and she asked if they could leave.”

Side: Change controversial mascots
19abenbrooks(9) Disputed
1 point

If the half time show was such a big deal to her why don't they fill out a complaint and change the halftime show.

Side: Do not change mascots
1 point

I agree Avery. People who support the mascot means that they like them and we will be able to keep the mascots at the schools.

Side: Do not change mascots
19brobertson(10) Disputed
1 point

surveys show that more people want to change the mascot then support it therefore you will not be able to keep the mascots at the schools.

Side: Change controversial mascots
bberry(11) Disputed
1 point

Some people feel very honored but the ones who are feeling offended or who feel that these names are racist in a way, are getting put down from it. Mascots are supposed to be fun for all people, including other teams (even if there is a rivalry). They aren't supposed to make people cry and feel bad about how people see them like the girl in the article Native American Mascots Devalue Culture.

Side: Change controversial mascots
19abenbrooks(9) Disputed
2 points

If people are really offended by the name or the half time show in your example why don't they change the little things instead of the whole idea.

Side: Do not change mascots
2 points

I think that mascots shouldn't be changed, after all most mascots are in the history of the given area in which it represents.

Side: Do not change mascots
19brobertson(10) Disputed
1 point

I believe even if it is in the history it should be changed, firstly they are very offencive to most people for example In the article Pannel: Native american Mascots Devalues Culture it states "...his daughter became so offended, her eyes filled with tears and she asked if they could leave.” Second it could make the mascot look like a fool, for example if a teams mascot was the indian and they are constantly losing how dos that make indians look? let me tell you the answer to that it makes them look like a bunch of pathetic losers.

Side: Change controversial mascots
19brobertson(10) Disputed
1 point

History means nothing in this case as the old saying gos you cant change the past but you can affect the future and in this case we need to stop the stereotyping and other bad things this creates

Side: Change controversial mascots
1 point

I agree James. If people like the mascot, the mascot should stay at the school so it can raise school spirit.

Side: Do not change mascots
0 points

they are big and fluffy and a little creepy, not enough to change it over, its not a clown or anything like that

Side: Do not change mascots
19tpeters(1) Disputed
1 point

why would u put that it has really nothing to do with the argument

Side: Change controversial mascots
2 points

I think we should keep the traditional mascots because changing the mascots will cost thousands of dollars in change. When changing mascots community's have to change the football field, the gym floor and jerseys all of that can add up very quickly.

Side: Do not change mascots
1 point

You're right Avery. Getting new mascots will cost a lot of money. Maybe kids should bring a lot of lunch money to pay for lunch and snacks but I suggest they shouldn't do that because families are gonna be running poor.

Side: Do not change mascots
19brobertson(10) Disputed
1 point

Getting new mascots would not cost anything really just change the paintings of mascots in the schools and change the mascots there is no reason why it would cost alot

Side: Change controversial mascots
19iparrett(11) Disputed
1 point

I see what you are saying but so many people are getting so offended by the mascot and they think that it is being racist. If many people are offended by it then they should change it. They could also have fundraisers to help earn money to go towards changing the teams mascot.

Side: Change controversial mascots
1 point

A 1,200 person protest was led by Marquette’s Native American Community. They’ve always seen the chief as a positive symbol.” Mind Your Own Mascot.

Side: Do not change mascots
1 point

they should not change mascots because A 1,200 person protest was led by Marquette’s Native American Community. They’ve always seen the chief as a positive symbol.” Mind Your Own Mascot. day was angry btws

Side: Do not change mascots
1 point

I believe that we should not change mascots, because its just a mascot, not meant to offend anyone, it goes along with the town's or area's history.

Side: Do not change mascots
19iparrett(11) Disputed
1 point

I see what you are saying but if people are getting offended and they are stating that it is being racist and disrespectful then they should change it. Even other Arab-Americans are taking that as racist and very offensive.

Side: Change controversial mascots
1 point

opps the second one is the one i ment to post (and now im just typing random things cuz it says i need to put 50 characters so)

Side: Do not change mascots
1 point

Some people believe that they should change mascots but I say that we keep it because changing mascots will result with more problems. People also say that they like the mascot at school. At some schools, they say that after the name change, the mascot became some kind of floppy shrub and that the mascot changes causes complaints. People think we should change the mascot because a person said that a mascot caused a firestorm in the community and that a cheerleader was making a mockery of a crowd. I just hope that when this debate resolves, we might be able to get 2 mascots but I hope we can work this out.

Side: Do not change mascots
1 point

I believe that mascots shouldn't be changed. Mr. Cooper, a full-blooded American Indian says “If one person, if one child is offended, then we need to stop it." One persons opinion should not matter on a large scale of mascots of a sports team. From the article Native American Mascots Devalues Culture

Side: Do not change mascots
1 point

I believe that mascots shouldn't be changed. Also mascots are meant to strike fear in their opponents when they are challenged so if a mascot uses a stereotype to create that mascot that their opponents fear it shouldn't have to be corrected to something politically correct. For example the California high school mascot is a angry ‘Arab’ with a hook-nose, long beard, headscarf and all. American-Arab should not be offended just because that this one high school in California chose something intimidating. From the article Arab-Americans cry foul over California high school mascot

Side: Do not change mascots
1 point

I agree that mascots are supposed to strike fear into opponents, but I don't think using a stereotypical Arab is the way to go. I don't think it's ok to use that as your mascot, if it offends anybody! I believe that if they aren't Arabs they shouldn't try and put on a show for the fans while they pretend to be Arabs. They should strike fear by winning games with hard hits, not by bringing up a stereotype that offends people out of the game. Source: Arab-Americans cry foul over California high school mascot.

Side: Do not change mascots
19abenbrooks(9) Disputed
1 point

If the half time show is making people leave the game why don't they change the halftime show to something else. If the daughter was fine until the halftime show in the game why don't they fill out a complaint about the halftime show not the mascot. Since the daughter was fine until the half time show the mascot isn't the problem it's the halftime show.

Source: Arab-Americans cry foul over California high school mascot

Side: Change controversial mascots
19mkennedy(4) Disputed
1 point

I disagree because a lot of cultures think that some mascots can be shown in a foolish way. Even though it can make the other team scared, people that attend the school or community think its a way of mockery and disrespect. "That girl doesn’t understand that every feather in that headdress would have been earned in battle. She wouldn’t know that each one represents a life that was taken. (The cheerleader) was making a mockery of us.”

-Mind Your Own Mascot

.

Side: Change controversial mascots
1 point

Arguments about Native american mascots have been going on since 1972 and should be stopped. The people who have been fighting for their mascot that they find offencive should not have to be what and what isn't politically correct. Some of the schools might fear the outcome that is similar to Stanford's: after the name change, the school’s mascot became, inexplicably, some kind of floppy shrub. Source: Mind your own mascot

Side: Do not change mascots
1 point

I agree, mascots have a lot to do with the towns history, it wasn't put there in the first place to offend people. It was meant to honor the past Native Americans or any other race. Especially native american men, a team mascot is to give strength or luck to a team or group. Native American mascots or other races are thought of strong and brave.

Side: Do not change mascots
19mkennedy(4) Disputed
1 point

I disagree with Makayla because I think the mascots are just stereotypes.

“ American Indian mascots and logos promote negative stereotypes,” Barbara Munson told Scholastic News.

- Jackie Cutler says American Indian mascots should be banned, especially, “In a state that mandates teaching of Indian culture.”

Side: Change controversial mascots
1 point

Some people may be very offended by the mascots but I believe that the school mascot might play a very important role to the school and should be able to have a say instead of just having one person be angry and this would also save time so it doesn't have to be politically correct. Source Native american mascots devalues culture

Side: Do not change mascots
1 point

Some people need to mind their own mascots, the Washington Redskins, they go along with the state's history, and people from other states (even non-Redskins fans) are disagreeing with the mascot because it's "offensive"

Side: Do not change mascots
1 point

I think that teams and events should not have to change there mascots because some people think its offensive. I mean its not meant to be offending, its meant to be fun and learn about what the mascot (Indians) all about.Arab-Americans cry foul over California high school mascot - ‘ A faraway land’- paragraph four and five. “... tenuous Middle East connection inspired a frenzy of Arabian fantasies that continue to this tay- including festivals (Date Fest), architecture (turrets), and town names (Mecca).

Side: Do not change mascots
bberry(11) Disputed
1 point

They aren't truly showing what the Indian culture is about, they are imitating Indians in a stereotypical way. I don't think a girl dressing up like an Indian and then going out on the field to do cartwheels is truly teaching about their culture. Source: Native American Mascot Devalues Culture.

Side: Change controversial mascots
1 point

I agree with you because, they aren't really teaching other people what their culture is about. They could maybe do like an Indian dance or something to teach the audience what their culture is about.

Side: Change controversial mascots
1 point

the only things banned that should be banned is stereotyping of the race. that offends people. not the mascot itself therefore they should not change mascots as long as its not in a mocking way school mascots should stay the same.

Side: Do not change mascots
19iparrett(11) Disputed
1 point

I see what you are saying but so many people are taking it offensive and racist. If Native American tribes are getting offended then I think that they should change. But I do see where you are coming from though.

Side: Change controversial mascots
1 point

In 2004 they published an optional poll. In which 90% of those who identified them selves as Native Americans said the name did not bother them. So i think they should keep Red Skins as the team name.

Side: Do not change mascots
1 point

I think they should not change mascots because if only a couple people are offended and they change the mascot to something else then that might start a whole other argument between the people who liked that mascot and thought that, that mascot they originally had was a part of the towns history. So just because a few people are offended doesn't mean they have to change the mascot. They have to keep the other people in thought before they riot against the mascot, and not all Native Americans are offended by these mascots. In the article Mind Your Mascot, By Gordon, Devin; Alvord, Valerie, a Sioux Lake member Eunice Davidson said that, "I am very, very honored that they would use that name," He stated about North Dakota's fighting Sioux nickname.

Side: Do not change mascots
1 point

local communities should be able to make the choice because it may have connections to heritage and history. For example, a city in Wisconsin named Berlin was forced, by the department of public instruction to change their Berlin Indian name.

Side: Do not change mascots
1 point

I think teams should be able to keep there name for this reason. The cost to change logos and advertising materials is expensive as well when forced to make a change. The financial impact to the name change could cost between $12,000 and $15,000 on equipment for school athletics, something most schools cannot afford and do not plan for. The town of Cleveland, Ohio researched the financial impact and found out that it costs millions of dollars to change all the team gear.

Side: Do not change mascots
1 point

Also the controversy caused divisions among people in the community as well. High schools around the country feel pressure from various civil rights groups and student groups to change names which causes division and fighting among groups of people and even families. A young boy from Illinois who was very much against the team mascot of chief illinwek was sent to school in Minnesota because he was being tormented by classmates and the community.

Side: Do not change mascots
1 point

Mascots can promote historical background by people seeing the logo or mascot, can show them how certain cultures dressed or still do dress that way, leading people to respect that type of culture even more than they did before.

Side: Do not change mascots
1 point

Therefore I think that controversial mascots should not be banned due to the fact that it can provide historical back round that people may not have known about. Others like, David Hinkle, who graduated from Coachella Valley High School, said “I don’t think it can be viewed as offensive,” He also added “He is proud to be one of the Arabs” (His schools Mascot) Others may say that mascots can be offensive but mascots could promote stereotypes when, the mascot is designed to look stereotypical (Like big feathery head dress, or long nose, etc). Mascots can show racism when they have names like “redskins” or “Arabs” (Like Red-Skins is almost insulting their ethnicity). I still think that mascots can be very beneficial to us with the back round knowledge it can give us.

Side: Do not change mascots