A friend from Taos Pueblo invited me out for a drink the other night. Turns out she had something on her mind. “I hardly ever ask you to do anything. You have to write a blog about the Cleveland Indians mascot because of the World series.” It’s a big issue in Indian Country. And so, I am carrying out my friend’s wishes.
And, as it happens, Vernon Bellecourt, a leader of the American Indian Movement, was buried last week, so this story serves as a memorial to him, too. The depiction of native peoples by teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Braves, Washington Redskins, and countless college and high school teams around the country is unconscionable.
(I put this in for the music only – and a reminder that no matter who thinks sports mascot protests are too serious and “PC”, there’s always lots of laughter in Indian country):
Cross-posted at Daily Kos