THE NATIVE AMERICAN MASCOT AND TEAM NAME CONTROVERSY
Dr. DaShanne Stokes is well known for his extensive work on the Native American mascot and team name controversy. He has published numerous articles about racism in sports and the detrimental effects of ethnic team names and mascots in Indian Country Today and spoken about the Washington team name controversy in the media.
Drawing on the latest scientific research and his personal experiences with having been on the receiving end of the racist war cries and tomahawk chops often found at sporting events, Dr. Stokes reveals the disturbing truth about ethnic team names and mascots and how we can create real change.
Below is a collection of DaShanne Stokes' articles, media appearances, and quotes about the Native American mascot and team name controversy.
For journalist inquiries, or to inquire about booking Dr. Stokes for a television, radio, or other media program, please email media (at) dashannestokes (dot) com.
ARTICLES ABOUT THE NATIVE AMERICAN MASCOT AND TEAM NAME CONTROVERSY
"Anti-Indian Racism is Everywhere in America" by DaShanne Stokes
(from Indian Country Today) The season premiere of South Park, which aired September 24, struck a chord familiar to many viewers and is sure to set the Washington football team scrambling... Continue reading on Indian Country Today Media Network >>
"Offensive Words Lead to Offensive Action" by DaShanne Stokes
(from Indian Country Today) Every so often I hear complaints about how tired people are about being politically correct. It's something that gets thrown around a lot these days, especially with the debate about ethnic team names and mascots. And it's revealing of something more insidious than many people realize... Continue reading on Indian Country Today Media Network >>
"R-Word Lies: Don't Confuse Free Speech With Hate Speech" by DaShanne Stokes
(from Indian Country Today) Hate speech is any speech or form of expression that offends, threatens, or insults a group based on their race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, and other traits. And, as anyone familiar with... Continue reading on Indian Country Today Media Network >>
"A New Rallying Cry for the Red*kins" by DaShanne Stokes
(from Indian Country Today) On March 24, Dan Snyder issued a letter to the devout fans of his beloved Washington Red*kins announcing... Continue reading on Indian Country Today Media Network >>
"5 Studies That Prove Dan Snyder is Wrong About 'Redskins' " by DaShanne Stokes
(from Indian Country Today) The Red*kins team name has managed to retain strong public support, even despite outcry against team owner, Dan Snyder, announcing this week... Continue reading on Indian Country Today Media Network >>
"Time to Stop Playing Cowboys and Indians" by DaShanne Stokes
(from Indian Country Today) No issue better illustrates the lengths to which racist Americans will go to hold tight to the reins of power and ignorance than a statement recently issued by the Washington Red*kins.... Continue reading on Indian Country Today Media Network >>
MEDIA APPEARANCES ABOUT THE NATIVE AMERICAN MASCOT AND TEAM NAME CONTROVERSY
This Show Is So Gay:
Fighting for Equality and Freedom on Multiple Fronts
June 4, 2015
The fight for equality and freedom is being fought on multiple fronts. In a decades-long controversy, the Boy Scouts of America continue kicking out some of their best and brightest for the "crime" of being lesbian, gay, and bisexual. Numerous people continue to support racist mascots and ethnic team names despite a growing body of research showing their detrimental effects. And many Native Americans continue to be denied their Constitutional right to religious freedom. DaShanne joined Dr. Ken Schneck, host of This Show Is So Gay, to discuss the Boy Scouts' anti-gay policy, the Native American mascot controversy, the eagle feather law, and how now is the time for us to stand up, speak out, and fight for equality.
Uprising Radio, KPFK 90.7 FM:
Erasing the R-Word From Our Lexicon
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Heated controversy has surrounded the use of racial epithets like the N-word, but what about the R-word? Tune in as DaShanne speaks with Sonali Kolhatkar about the racist use of the R-word by the Washington football team.
The Beat of Sports, WYGM 740 AM:
Dan Snyder and the Discriminatory Washington Football Team Name
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Numerous politicians, civil rights leaders, and schools have spoken out against the continued use of a racial slur as the name of the Washington football team. DaShanne joined Marc Daniels to discuss Dan Snyder and his controversial team name.
QUOTES ABOUT THE NATIVE AMERICAN MASCOT AND TEAM NAME CONTROVERSY
The Good Men Project:
The Racism of Ethnic Team Names and Mascots
April 19, 2015
DaShanne's article, "Time to Stop Playing Cowboys and Indians," was quoted in a piece published in The Good Men Project entitled "What Does it Mean to Tell an Indian, 'Go Back to the Reservation'?". His quote is excerpted below.
"A recent study (2011)... shows that many people, in fact, do not distinguish between their feelings between stereotypical Native mascots and actual, living, breathing, Native American people. Such mascots engender a racially hostile environment." --DaShanne Stokes
The Native American Mascot Controversy: A Handbook
Edited by C. Richard King. 2015. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
DaShanne's article, "5 Studies That Prove Dan Snyder is Wrong About 'Redskins'," originally published in Indian Country Today, was quoted in C. Richard King's introduction (p. xii) to The Native American Mascot Controversy: A Handbook. DaShanne's quote is excerpted below.
This renewed energy dovetails with new scholarship that highlights the harmful impacts of American Indian mascots on children and communities. DaShanne Stokes (2014) nicely summarizes their findings:
"Cumulatively, these studies show in horrific clarity what supporters of the Red*kins--Native and non-Native alike--seem not to realize: that ethnic mascots are integrally intertwined with their offensive team names, and together they have the effect of perpetuating institutionalized racism. Institutionalized racism contributes to high rates of unemployment, poverty, health problems, and inadequate education for many Native Americans. In short, Native team names and mascots contribute to the very problems we should be focused on solving.
That's why ethnic team names and mascots aren't just silly words and images we can afford to ignore. They have a real, measurable impact, and they hurt us all--no matter where we live, what our backgrounds are, and whether we are personally offended or not."
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