Read on Twitter
It's been over 4 years since I publicly expressed my thoughts on Indian Mascots. Today I break that silence.
I am enrolled in the Lumbee Tribe of NC. I grew up just outside of Philadelphia, PA. Read my research on Lumbee migrations and you'll find the back story on that.
I am enrolled in the Lumbee Tribe of NC. I grew up just outside of Philadelphia, PA. Read my research on Lumbee migrations and you'll find the back story on that.
The high school I attended had an Indian mascot and athletic teams were nicknamed the "Indians." The actual costumed mascot was retired at some point for being insensitive.
While I was in high school, there was a push made by students and alumni to revive this costumed mascot.
While I was in high school, there was a push made by students and alumni to revive this costumed mascot.
In 2015, while I was a student at UNC Pembroke, I made a statement in an alumni Facebook group in opposition to the revival of the mascot. As a 19 year old, I shared my own experiences with various forms of racism at school. I won't go into these right now.
In my statement, I called for people to consider the damage and ramifications of supporting a racial stereotype as a source of community pride.
My post unexpectedly received hundreds of comments in which people verbally attacked and threatened my personal safety and well-being.
My post unexpectedly received hundreds of comments in which people verbally attacked and threatened my personal safety and well-being.
One woman was insistent that I wasn't a "real Indian." She insisted that real Indians live in tipis and until I provided photo evidence of that, she had no time for what I had to say.
Things got so bad, I stopped responding to peoples' attacks. I suffered greatly from speaking out. People who I thought were friends scolded me, blocked me, etc.
I never imagined that voicing my opinion about a mascot would create such an intense and negative response.
I never imagined that voicing my opinion about a mascot would create such an intense and negative response.
A few weeks ago, the same
(predominantly white) community gathered in support of BLM. As much as I was glad to see people acknowledging racism, I couldn't get over the fact that these were some of the same people who would rather see me dead than give up a mascot.
(predominantly white) community gathered in support of BLM. As much as I was glad to see people acknowledging racism, I couldn't get over the fact that these were some of the same people who would rather see me dead than give up a mascot.
I came across this article the other day. In high school, I was in marching band and attended games at Neshaminy HS. I know the damage that these stereotypes can do to a person. I am angry that this is still an ongoing issue. https://whyy.org/articles/as-washington-reviews-its-nfl-team-name-what-will-neshaminy-schools-do/
We will not have justice in this country until we recognize the personhood, agency, and sovereignty of Native peoples. I encourage those of you in positions of power to write to the Neshaminy Board of School Directors. #NotYourMascot #ChangeTheName
