StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Analyzing the (Dis)Honor of Indian Mascots - Movie Review Example

Cite this document
Summary
The review "Analyzing the (Dis)Honor of Indian Mascots" focuses on the critical, and thorough analysis of Rosenstein's movie In Whose Honor?: in terms of the (dis)honor of Indian mascots. Native American-based mascots have been part of American sports teams…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.5% of users find it useful
Analyzing the (Dis)Honor of Indian Mascots
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Analyzing the (Dis)Honor of Indian Mascots"

Because of embarrassment, she realized the wrongness of using Native American symbols and personalities as mascots. Jay Rosenstein captures Teters’ growing movement in the documentary In Whose Honor?: American Indian Mascots in Sports. Rosenstein balances views by using short video clips of interviews with different stakeholders to portray the divisive issue of using Native American identities and symbols in sports teams, though it is clear that the director favors the complete removal of such sports practices because they undermine the integrity of Native American identity and history.

Rosenstein strives to provide a balanced view of the “honor” involved in using Native American nicknames and characters as sports mascots. He uses interviews with different alumni, trustees, fans, and former Chief Illiniweks in the documentary. For instance, though the mainstay is Teters, Rosenstein also obtains the views of the University of Illinois alumni and Board of Trustees because they also have a stake in the issue. Ken Boyle, a University of Illinois Trustee, stresses in the documentary that he does not consider Chief Illiniwek as a “mascot”, but as part of the “tradition and heritage” of the university (In Whose Honor?). Rosenstein does not just focus on the voice of Teters and other Native Americans but also includes as many voices as needed to explore the complexity of the issue. Furthermore, Rosenstein explains why using Indian names and characters are wrong through Teters and other Native Americans’ point of view. Teters argues that universities should not use Native American mascots and nicknames because she sees a “mascot” as a symbol of control and ownership. Dennis Tibbetts, an American Indian counselor, agrees with Teters because to have a chief as a form of “entertainment” is a “mockery” because it is not a “caricature” (In Whose Honor?). A caricature means that the mascot is not real, but using a real person connects the mascot to the Native American identity. Hence, the film demonstrates that a Native American mascot dishonors Native Americans.

Despite the balanced sources of information, it is clear that Rosenstein supports Teters and Native Americans in their plight. By showing examples of universities that have dropped the use of Native American mascots and nicknames, the film stresses that even the mainstream is beginning to agree with Teters. Still, the University of Illinois shows remarkable opposition to removing the Chief in its sports system. Moreover, through interviews with the trustees, Rosenstein underlines the racial meaning of this resistance, where the University values its control over Native American identity because it disregards the voice of the minority who are legitimate owners of that identity. When the Board of Trustees also mentions the possibility of losing funding if the Chief is removed from the sports system, the documentary shows them as people who have a superficial sense of heritage, since they value sponsorship more than correcting their culturally insensitive practices.

The film is highly recommended to high school and college students because it contextualizes the issue of Native American honor. It talks about Native American voices, experiences, and history, thereby enriching students’ understanding of American identity and history. Furthermore, students can learn more about criticizing diverse issues and exploring the implications of manufactured minority identities through mascot practices. I specifically enjoyed the film because I understand Teters’ point. It is a racial slur to consider racial identity as a mascot. It may not be a racial slur to whites, but it is for Native Americans. And for that, the film is correct- it is not honorable to honor Native Americans by turning them into aggressive and competitive sports mascots. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Ec2 Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words”, n.d.)
Ec2 Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/history/1623215-ec2
(Ec2 Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words)
Ec2 Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words. https://studentshare.org/history/1623215-ec2.
“Ec2 Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/history/1623215-ec2.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Analyzing the (Dis)Honor of Indian Mascots

Marketing research of Royal National Lifeboat Association (RNLI)

Market research can be defined as planning, collecting and analysing data which are relevant for making marketing decision (Carl, McDaniel and Gates, 1998).... Making a proper market plan involves extensive market research.... The process of marketing research involves six main steps.... ... ... ...
14 Pages (3500 words) Essay

Native American Indian Mascots

This paper concerns the issue of the native American indian mascots.... Despite great attempts to persuade schools and universities to discontinue use of mascots, studies show that at least 90 colleges and 1200 high schools in the US continue to use mascot images and logos, AI mascots remaining top ten.... The teams thus are proud to have overcome this via mascots, which unite both Americans and Indians.... Debate about mascot issue has won media attention, gaining great favour as use of mascots is supported....
4 Pages (1000 words) Research Paper

American Indian Mascots Respectful As Gesture Or Negative Stereotype

The paper "American Indian Mascots Respectful As Gesture Or Negative Stereotype" discusses why the use of indian mascots should be banned from school sports teams.... Most teams choose team names and mascots that will evoke a sense of pride in their team members.... (American Indian Sports Team mascots, 2008).... lthough there are mascots based on certain groups of people other than Indians, it is imperative to understand why basing a mascot on Indians is different....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Controversy Regarding Native American Names, Symbols, and Mascots in the US

The paper "Controversy Regarding Native American Names, Symbols, and mascots in the US" states that the University of Illinois issued a press release ending their 'Chief Illiniwek' performances due to many complaints from Native Americans who felt that the performances were offensive or racist.... In an ironic twist, Native Americans once roamed the land that is now occupied by sports fields, many of them using Native American imagery as mascots (Teaching Tolerance, 2008)....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

AAS 201 Debate: Are Native American mascots/images offensive

The use of Native American indian mascots has raised much concern with the question being whether the using of Native Indian American mascots should banned.... Due to this factor, the Native Indian American image has been used to create company logos for soft drink companies, cloth line companies such as ‘Indiana' and various sports teams especially in the American football Native American Indian mascot The use of Native American indian mascots has raised much concern with the question being whether the using of Native Indian American mascots should banned....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Native American Rights

The author outlines the use of indian symbols, economic, and political forces.... (Deloria 1988, xii) Then, there is the Indian Law Resource Center who takes the cause of traditional Indians and raised questions about long-standing practices in the field of indian affairs that needed to be questioned.... In regard to the American Indians, the civil rights movement launched the Native American Movement and the American indian Movement (AIM) alongside the Black, the Chicano, and the movements of other minorities....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

Sports Mascots and Racism towards Native Americans

The term paper "Sports mascots and Racism towards Native Americans" describes us how this cultural group has continually experienced discrimination for a long time that images mocking their practices cause a negative social impact.... It has become a common sight that images of Native Americans are used as mascots in school matches.... On the other hand, there are also claims that the use of native peoples as mascots is not discriminatory but in fact honors them....
8 Pages (2000 words) Term Paper

The San Marcos Senior Center

This capstone project "The San Marcos Senior Center" summarizes the experience of working for The San Marcos Senior Center.... Apart from providing to the needs of the senior people, San Marcos Senior Center also encourages the seniors to participate in the community activities that generate income....
8 Pages (2000 words) Capstone Project
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us