Abstract
“Using Native imagery for a mascot is honoring their people and it is a sign of strength and courage.” Would you think the same if a Native person told you it was in fact not honoring them but doing the opposite? The negative effects linked to the use of Native imagery by professional sports organizations has had a large impact on Native communities around the U.S. and these could be fixed if pro teams followed in the footsteps of the Cleveland Guardians. The Cleveland Baseball organization recently changed their name and logo which was highly offensive to the Native American population. This IS investigates the origins of the Cleveland Indians name and logo, discusses various protests movements to make said changes, and follows the team’s transitions to a new name and logo. It argues that other professional teams should follow the Guardians’s example.
Advisor
Biro Walters, Jordan
Department
Education; History
Recommended Citation
Henegar, Charles Franklin, "Chief Wahoo: The Decline of Native Imagery in Professional Sports" (2023). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 10759.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/10759
Keywords
Native Imagery
Publication Date
2023
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2023 Charles Franklin Henegar