Assignment:
Please provide assistance with the questions following the scenario below.
The Figaro high school sports teams are called the Redskins and the team logo is a caricatured portrayal of a smiling Native American. The team mascot is called the Chief, and it is a tradition for the Chief to lead the crowd in a "war cry" at sports games. A local Native American group has protested the team name and they have asked for it to be changed. They also say that the team logo is offensive, and argue that the logo and the Chief show a simplistic, disrespectful image of Native Americans.
While some townspeople are willing to change the team name and mascot, others argue that the team name and mascot should remain the same because they are part of town tradition were not meant offensively. The mayor has asked for your assistance to help him better understand the point of view of the Native American group. You research similar cases that have occurred elsewhere in the country and write up some notes covering the following issues:
1. How does the history of oppression of and discrimination against Native Americans in the U.S. relate to the way that Native American groups have protested some sports teams' use of Native American names and imagery?
2. Do you think the mayor should support a change of name and mascot for the high school team? Why or why not?