The image I have chosen for this assignment is the mascot used for the middle and high school of Goshen Indiana where I live. The school’s mascot is the “Redskins.” The school district just recently agreed to drop the name starting January 1st, 2016. This has been an ongoing debate for years with the community put into motion by the Michigan Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. Goshen Indiana is located approximately 9 miles from the Michigan state line. The Pokagon Band of Potwatomi Indians is the only federally recognized tribe in the state of Indiana. The majority of this tribe lives in Michigan but a few do live in Goshen Indiana.
According to an article written in the local newspaper by Michelle Sokol the origin of the “Redskins” name comes into light on Dec.2.1926 by a sports writer named Charles Egenroad for the first time to describe players who had recently received the smallpox vaccination and worried the football team who’s name at the time was the Red Menance in reference to school colors,…show more content… People were angry and muttering obsenties under their breath. One man stated “I don’t get it, why can’t the Indians get over it” and another women stated “We will always be the “Redskins’ and changing the name won’t change this.” City councel President Jim McKee stated that the “Redskins” name is meant to represent warriors and strength and “should be taken as a compliment.” The name is not a compliment and does not represent Indians as complex historical subjects. The Pockagon Band of Potawami Indians spokesman stated the “Redskins” name crossed the line for them and that it was “derogatory, offensive, and demeaning and the continued use of the word perpetuates harmful sterotyps of Native Americans and continues the damaging practice of relegating Native Americans to the past and portraying them as a