For most Americans the days of overt and institutional racism where thought to have become a distant memory. At one time symbols like the "Black Sambo" and "Frito Bandito" were commonly accepted by mainstream America as playful marketing tools. That was the past, times have changed and America has supposedly grown up and away from such potent symbols of racism. However, for American Indians this practice continues. From the racially-derived "Washington Redskins" to the war-like "Florida Seminoles", American Indian mascots are found at the professional sports level as well as the high school and college levels. Far from honoring Native Americans, these mascots are a national insult, and represent the last vestiges of a time thought long-past when such stereotypes were commonplace. Just as "Sambo" served to perpetuate racism and bigotry toward the African-American community, these mascots and team names serve to keep Native Americans in a similar position.
 
 
 

"The National Congress of American Indians strongly condemns the use of sports team mascots that claim to portray Native Americans and Native cultures in a positive light...it is only with Native Americans that this practice continues. It is a national insult and does nothing to honor the Native peoples of this country."

• -W. Ron Allen (Jamestown S'Klallam)

President, National Congress of American Indians
 
 
 

"Would you paint your face black, wear an Afro wig and prance around the football field trying to imitate your perceptions of Black people? Of course not! That would be insulting to Blacks, so why is it okay to do it to Indians?"
 

• -Tim Giago (Lakota)

Editor, Indian Country Today
 
 

"How can you be honoring people while they are telling you that what you are doing is demeaning to them?"
 

• -John T. Benson

Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction
 
 

"As a group of professional mental health providers, we are in agreement that using images of American Indians as mascots...is damaging to the self-identity, self-concept and self-esteem of our people."
 

• -American Indian Mental Association of Minnesota

  
   

"People say that Indians have bigger problems than mascots and the use of Native American images, but I disagree. If you can't see me as an individual, then how can you understand the problems we have as a people? We have taken much heat, and the backlash has been tremendous, but we can take it. If our children do not have to endure the insults we have endured, then our efforts will have been worth it."
 

• -Frank Le Mere (Winnebago)

  
   

   

"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
 

• -President Ronald Reagan