If the Native Americans are offended by mascots depicted honoring them, why aren't the Irish offended as well?

Question

Illinois finally put tot rest their mascot Chief "what his nuts". North Dakota still has the Fighting Sioux and the N. Americans there are very offended at being honored by the University of North Dakota. Are there any people of Irish decent out there that are offended and humiliated by the University of Notre Dame's Fighting Irish? I'm of Irish decent and I for one am totally humiliated by the use of the nickname Fighting Irish. :0 Just kidding, I could care less. I think the whole debate is just stupid. We could rename the fighting Sioux the "University of North Dakota Praire Fairies". Whoops guess not that would be offending the gays......

Answer 1

For the life of me I don't understand why our American Indians, or any other ethnic group, would take exception that a sports team would take upon themselves an identity to honor and respect the emblem or symbol.

Call it political-correctness to the Nth degree. To call a sports team "The Warriors" or "the Braves" means to give respect to the courage and strength of our American Indian--albeit a bit stereotypical. I think too many people wear their feelings on their shoulders and should worry over more important issues.

Answer 2

I think you should educate yourself more on the mascot debate.

You are being very culturally insensitive. Just because you are not offended by the Fighting Irish does not mean that the whole mascot debate is flawed.

1) Why not fight against the fighting Irish, why only Native Americans?


Answer:

1st: Native people have always said we would support the Irish community if and when they come forward. So far they haven't and we have.

2nd: A leprachaun is not an actual person while the Native mascots do represent a person.

3rd: The history of Native oppression is different from that of Irish oppression. The Irish did experience oppression when they first arrived in America however they are pretty much now accepted as part of the dominant culture. Although some cultural stereotypes do exist they have the benefit of White priveledge.

Native people experienced oppression from the arrival of colonizers. Their oppression has consisted of Genocide, Cultural Genocide, Rape, Land Theft, Torture, and Kidnapping among others. Native oppression still occurs today and the Native mascot is a symbol of that oppression.

And what makes you think your opinion matters more than that of the people who are being hurt? That is white privedlge at its finest.

Answer 3

Oh give me a break... Look, whites don't so much have a history that makes them more sensitive to such things, having been the perpetrators for many generations not the victims.

That AS WELL as the fact that most Irish people in this country were born here and are so far removed from that land and it's culture...culturally they are not Irish, they have no idea what being Irish really is beyond the basic details that just make it 'cool' to be Irish. So what is there for them to be offended when they are disconnected? Native folks on the other hand are not far removed and are still very connected to theirs...

And yeah, when something doesn't bother your own, it's hard to see why something would bother anyone, but that does not mean you be rude about it. In some way I can see it both ways... While I am considered "white" and name calling of whites and such does not bother me, I am also a "non believer" and considering the history of THAT minority and the things I AM sensitive to, I can understand why some react to certain things. That and just hearing from people who are sensitive to these issues and knowing how they feel.

What I don't understand is how ANYONE can view dressing up (be it a mascot, wannabes, or those fake "mardi gras Indians") as HONORING people. Mockery is NOT a way to honor anyone. Human beings are not a costume nor a game.

Answer 4

Because the Irish aren't a Federally Protected Victim Class.

They're white, dontcha know. Oppressors.

We ought to make fun of them.

Answer 5

The Irish are white and therefore and not allowed to be offended by stereotypes.