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Opinion
Column: Mascots can honor indigenous people


"How about naming a team something like the Fighting Whities or how about the Noble Crackers? No one would propose such a name because enough people realize such a moniker is offensive to many white people.

Native people didn�t get that kind of input when some of these team names were decided upon.

Still, it is not wise to adamantly argue that no non-native school or college should ever be called any name using an indigenous reference.

That�s throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

A more enlightened respect for indigenous people � and awareness for both their current struggles and successes � can only occur by including them and yes, by honoring them in appropriate ways. And that may include references by sports teams."

Get the Story:
Mary Sanchez: NAMING RIGHTS -- AND WRONGS (The Kansas City Star 8/30)
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NCAA Announcement:
NCAA Executive Committee Issues Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots at Championship Events (August 5, 2005)

Relevant Links:
NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee - http://www1.ncaa.org/eprise/main/
membership/governance/assoc-wide/moic/index.html

National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media - http://www.aimovement.org/ncrsm

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