Indian names honor heritage
Fan behavior is bigger issue

The use of American Indians as team names and mascots means different things to different people. To some, they symbolize bravery, honor and strength —traits that were exhibited by American Indian tribes and warriors —and represents a standard they hope their teams and students will look up to and emulate. To others, it's a tradition that reflects and honors their region's history and ancestry.

It is unlikely that any team chose an Indian name or mascot in an effort to belittle or show disrespect for anyone — after all, why would a team be named for something potential opponents would not respect? But still, some people of American Indian descent are offended by the practice.

It was out of respect for the feelings of American Indians that the NCAA recently prohibited the use of "hostile or abusive" nicknames or logos by college and university teams during postseason tournament play. That ban is a bit vague, as it does not specifically designate all Indian names as taboo, nor does it define "hostile" or "abusive" as it applies to this ban. In fact, one team — North Carolina-Pembroke — is exempted from the ban altogether despite its team nickname (Braves) because historically, more than 20 percent of the school's student population is of Indian descent. So what is offensive when used by one population is not when a population threshold is reached?

A ban that is inconsistent and vague in wording is a recipe for disaster. Already, Florida State University plans to challenge the ban, since it claims to have the blessing of the tribe for which its team is named —the Seminoles.

Locally, feelings are mixed concerning the practice, but mostly it's not a problem. Eight schools on the Lower Shore have mascots or teams named Braves, Indians or Warriors — five in Wicomico County and three in Worcester County. Four years ago the Indian naming issue was discussed before the Wicomico County Board of Education and the conclusion was that it was not a problem on the Shore. That seems to remain true.

The Lower Shore is rich in Indian history, home primarily to the Nanticoke tribe. It seems natural to include that heritage when naming school teams and mascots. None of the Indian names or mascots on the Shore involves a cartoonish caricature of an Indian, but instead present realistic images of Indian figures.

Perhaps the biggest problem lies in communication and education —and in the sometimes misplaced enthusiasm of fans who seem to overstep the bounds of appropriate behavior when they mock an opponent or root for their team by imitating Indian stereotypes. It's understandable that such actions would be offensive to people of American Indian descent.

It is offensive fan behavior — as well as encouragement of the same on the part of players, cheerleaders or coaches — that should be banned from all NCAA (and high school or professional) play, not the display of logos and mascots — unless the mascot somehow encourages inappropriate behavior on the part of fans.

If mascots are modified as necessary to show respect for the tribes and peoples they represent, and disrespectful behavior on the part of fans is never tolerated, that should be sufficient to allow teams and schools to retain their traditional names, logos, mascots and nicknames. If schools using Indian logos and mascots embark on a program of educating fans on the meaning and traditions represented by their team name, it would help decrease inappropriate behaviors. It would increase the understanding of and pride in the heritage these names represent.

Originally published August 16, 2005