Racist Stereotypes and Cultural Appropriation in American Sports 2

Case Studies

In this day-long symposium sports writers, scholars, authors, and representatives from sports organizations engaged in lively panel discussions on racist stereotypes and cultural appropriation in American sports.

The symposium explores the mythology and psychology of sports stereotypes and mascots, and examines the retirement of "Native American" sports references and collegiate efforts to revive them despite the NCAA's policy against "hostile and abusive" nicknames and symbols.

In this second session of the symposium, panelist talk about specific American Indian mascots and the efforts to get sports teams to change them. The panelists for this session are:

Dr. Suzan Shown Harjo, Moderator. President, The Morning Star Institute; Past Executive Director, National Congress of American Indians; and a Founding Trustee, National Museum of the American Indian

Dr. Lee Hester, Associate Professor and Director of American Indian Studies and Director of the Meredith Indigenous Humanities Center, The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma

Ms. Lois J. Risling, Educator and Land Specialist for the Hoopa Valley Tribes; and Retired Director, Center for Indian Community Development, Humboldt State University

N. Bruce Duthu, Esq., Chair and Professor, Native American Studies, Dartmouth College

Delise O'Meally, Esq., Director of Governance and International Affairs, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Hon. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Council of Chiefs, Northern Cheyenne Tribe; President, Nighthorse Consultants; Trustee, National Museum of the American Indian; Award-winning Artist/Jeweler; U.S. Representative of Colorado (1987-1993); and U.S. Senator of Colorado (1992-2005)

The symposium was webcast on February 7, 2013 from the Rasmuson Theater.