Perspectives of Social Justice Activists

Abstract

This study investigated perspectives of social justice activists who directly advocate for eliminating Native-themed mascots, nicknames, and logos. Using consensual qualitative research methodology, the research team analyzed transcripts of interviews conducted with 11 social justice activists to generate themes, categories, and domains within the data. The five domains included (a) deleterious impact of Native-themed mascots, nicknames, and logos; (b) reasons why members of mainstream society might support Native-themed mascots, nicknames, and logos; (c) reasons why some American Indians might support Native-themed mascots, nicknames, and logos; (d) frontline advocacy efforts; and (e) coping strategies for advocates. Results provided insights into the sociopsychological processes that allow the misappropriation of American Indian culture, symbols, and imagery in sport to continue to Major Section on Social Justice Advocacy at UNIV OF PITTSBURGH on August 17, 2015 tcp.sagepub.com Downloaded from

Support for Native-Themed Mascots and Opposition to Political Correctness

“…Advocates for the elimination of remaining Native-themed mascots often cite the harm these mascots have on Natives directly (Fryberg et al, 2008; Steinfeldt et al, 2012), that these mascots increase non-Natives’ anti-Native biases (Burkley et al, 2017; Freng & Willis-Esqueda, 2011; Fryberg & Eason, 2017), and that many Natives oppose Native-themed mascots and consider them offensive (Fryberg et al, 2020). In contrast, less research has investigated why people support Native-themed mascots.…”

“…Like Donald Trump, opponents of changing Native-themed mascots often argue these mascots are inoffensive, honor Natives, and that their opposition stems from a respect for tradition (Cox et al, 2016; Neville et al, 2011; Steinfeldt et al, 2012). Additionally, many people support Native-themed mascots without discussing Natives or Native-themed mascots at all.…”

Counseling Psychology and the Amelioration of Oppression: Translating Our Knowledge Into Action

“…More recent publications in TCP have pushed the field further by examining cultural empowerment and social justice advocacy (Steinfeldt et al, 2012); Ethnic Minority Psychological Association (EMPA) perspectives (Delgado-Romero, Forrest, & Lau, 2012;Gray, Carter, LaFromboise, & Bigfoot, 2012;Miville et al, 2017;Obasi, Speight, Rowe, Clark, & Turner-Essel, 2012), critical Whiteness (Chao, Wei, Spanierman, Longo, & Northart, 2014;Spanierman, Poteat, Whittaker, Schlosser, & Arévalo Avalos, 2017); Islamophobia (Bhattacharyya, Ashby, & Goodman 2014); LGBT concerns (DeBlaere, Brewster, Sarkees, & Moradi, 2010;Elder, Morrow, & Brooks, 2015;Rostosky & Riggle, 2011;Tebbe & Budge, 2016); and religion (Ahluwalia & Alimchandani, 2013;Cornish, Wade, Tucker, & Post, 2014). Over the years, TCP has provided a space for scholars to operationalize, define, test, and enhance multicultural theory and practice, and it has done so by intentionally inviting this work through special issues and forums, and by welcoming a broad range of methodologies and constructs.…”