With increasing local and national support, proponents of the University School of Law’s resolution protesting the use of American Indian names or images as team mascots are poised to formally submit the resolution May 8.
They will give the resolution to University President Dave Frohnmayer that day for endorsement, but the resolution will still require University Senate approval before the Athletic Department decides to implement it.
The resolution, co-sponsored by the law school’s Sports and Entertainment Law Forum, encourages the Athletic Department not to voluntarily schedule games and events with schools using American Indian images or names as team mascots. Post-season games and events, including bowl games, are exempted because the resolution specifically refers to regular season. The final draft of the resolution specifies that teams that have a licensing agreement with American Indian tribes to use such symbols and images are also not included. These teams include the Florida State Seminoles and the Utah Utes.
During the last three weeks, resolution coordinators have been inundated with support and recognition for their efforts, said Frank Silva, co-director of the Sports and Entertainment Law Forum.
“It’s like critical mass,” Silva said. “Everybody from around the country is addressing this issue. It’s coming from all directions.”
Gavin Clarkson, research fellow at the Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School, commended the resolution and the efforts of both the students and faculty members. By backing the resolution, Clarkson said the University would be taking a powerful stance on eradicating social injustices.
“The University of Oregon would
be saying that racism has no place in civilized society,” Clarkson said. “And that marginalized populations such as American Indians do not deserve to be ridiculed or caricatured as racial mascots.”
Clarkson said the use of such symbolism by athletic teams is a form of offense rather than honor, so the argument that American Indian symbols and images honor American Indian culture is misguided.
“The defense of Indian mascots is often that the mascots are intended to honor Indians,” he said. “However, in civilized society, if you offend when you mean to honor, the polite thing to do is stop doing that which offends.”
While members of the University law school prepare to submit the resolution, the National Collegiate Athletic Association is reviewing the use of American Indian symbolism with athletic teams. The NCAA Minority Opportunity and Interests Committee has been directed by the NCAA Executive Committee to review the use of American Indian mascots, nicknames and logos by NCAA member institutions.
Rochelle Collins, director of professional development for the NCAA, said the decision to review the issue was made during the spring executive committee meeting in April 2001. Collins said the Minority Opportunity and Interests Committee will submit a report of its findings during the executive meeting in October 2002.
“It is in a fact-finding stage right now,” Collins said. “A report will be submitted in October and the committee will either request to have more time to study the issue or it will submit a final report of its findings.”