Cherokee People, Cherokee Tribe

Indian themes banned at Oregon Schools. Photo via Alek von Felkerzam.

Are the Chicago Blackhawks racist? How about the Kansas City Chiefs?

According to the Oregon State Board of Education, the answer would likely be a resounding yes. They’ve been working for the past six years to pass a rule which bans the use of native American (or American Indian) mascots and logos at schools.

So, no “Chiefs”, “Indians”, “Redskins”, “Mohawks” etc. (Apparently “Warriors” is okay.)

The movement, supported by American Indian rights organizations, was spearheaded (yes, pun intended) by a former student of an Oregon school whose sports team was called the Molalla High Indians. He claims that a mascot wearing stereotypical Indian garb, complete with a head-dress and spear would dance around the school gym and he found it completely demeaning and offensive.

And the school board agreed. They said the long standing tradition of depicting Indians as savages and mocking their traditions, even if unintentional, is both racist and promotes bullying.

One parent who opposed the ban argued that schools cannot afford the mandated change and feels the action was taken by false outrage. The change will cost some schools hundreds of thousands of dollars according to Oregon Live. The added expense comes at a time in which school districts in Oregon and across the country are struggling with worrisome budget cuts and student funding.

So, what do you think? Is this redonk or is it justified?

Hey, we (the American settlers) did introduce smallpox to them. That is way, way, way shitty. How that translates to sports teams called the “Chiefs”, I don’t know, but I’m sure there’s some warranted resentment.

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P.S. – throughout this entire post, I kept thinking of that song, Indian Reservation by Paul Revere and the Raiders. Anybody know that song? I used to love it as a kid…used to play it on my old ‘Annie’, plastic turntable. Great tune!

“They took the whole Cherokee Nation and put us on this reservation…Although I wear a shirt and tie, I’m still caught red man deep inside…”

Heavy stuff, man…