Sports fans cry out in defense of their team’s Native American mascots and names, claiming “It’s only sports… It’s tradition… The mascots are as American as apple pie and the flag… We have grown up with them… They are harmless… Why don’t you fight for real justice issues?”

These rationalizations are directed at those who take a stand against Native American names and mascots in popular sports. Society is changing slowly, while accepting that not all will be reached. The late Clyde Bellecourt, Native American leader and co-founder of AIM, the American Indian Movement, stated that there are those who wish to remain ignorant on this issue and are proud of it.

it has been said it is easier to recognize yesterday’s racism than today’s. How do we continue to change this widespread sports culture? How do we keep moving society to a more culturally literate place?

Social-justice movements progress, however slowly, towards a more sensitive society through education and dialogue. As with any justice movement, i.e., the rights of women, Blacks, LGBTQ+, etc., education and consciousness-raising are major components.

Just as with other now-recognized racist images, such as “Little Black Sambo” or “Frito Bandito,” Native American images and names must go. The use of American Indian names and mascots in this context is offensive, at best, and racist, at worst. There is “no honor.” In today’s world of political correctness and racial profiling dialogue, Native Americans are somehow marginalized. The dehumanization of an entire race — the original people of this land — is about “institutionalized” “systemic” racism. Native Americans are people, not mascots.

The ugly truth behind these sports mascots and misuse of Native culture has been exposed for many years. The prominent Native American activist Charlene Teters of Spokane, Washington, quoting AIM activist Michael Haney, has said that Native Americans are still involved in “the longest undeclared war against the American Indian, here in our own homeland.”

This is not just a Native American problem, but an issue for all people of goodwill. This issue is for all churches and organizations that claim to be advocates for racial justice. Let us not turn away from this popular form of racism in sports culture any longer. As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail:” “Injustice anywhere is a threat to Justice everywhere.”

As mentioned, significant successes over the last many years have been made, but more needs to be done. Today, Native names and mascots remain across the land in popular sports from professional sports and colleges to high schools. Prominent professional teams, such as the “Chiefs” and “Braves,” cling to their racist names and logos while fans of various teams proudly wear their offensive caps and shirts from stadiums to grocery stores. All who want to truly honor, and respect Native Americans are called to learn about this social justice issue. As with racism in general, passive silence or denial allows it to continue.