Native American Mascots: A Quantitative and Qualitative Study of Students’ Acceptability Perceptions of Native Mascots Versus Theoretical Use of Other Ethnic Groups’ Iconology by Sports Teams

Abstract

United States’ sports teams have made use of the faces, cultures and traditions of the indigenous people of our country for many years. Despite the perception that many Native Americans feel this practice is racist and/or insulting, it continues. This study helps further analyze perceptions that lead to the acceptability by the public of continued use of Native American iconology by sports teams for their logos, names, nicknames and mascots. Students report that the use of such iconology is a compliment to Native Americans, whereas it is an insult to other ethnic groups when represented in the same manner