Are Native American Indian Symbols and Mascots Offensive?

After doing my research and writing my paper about Sherman Alexie's poetry, and reading more Native American literature, I do firmly believe that ANY representation of Native American culture outside of their native context is not appropriate. Most modern representations of the spiritual culture that is not overseen by true American Indians become distorted and false. When these cultural ceremonies are properly represented by those that know the history behind these cultures perform these rites and they are performed in a proper context, than I feel that would be an appropriate representation of the American Indian culture.

Last semester I wrote a poetry analysis on Leslie Silko's, "Lullaby", and this piece has stuck with me and made such a profound impact on my life, that I feel that there is nothing that we as the white Europeans can EVER do to make up for what some of our forefathers did the Native American community. It was the American Holocaust, and to know that our country is capable of such greed and disregard for human life overall frightening. I know that I will never realize what the native American community feels and goes through, I do believe as Sherman Alexie said one time that pain is absorbed into the DNA of a people. Even though today's generation may not have to endure many of the terrible hardships that their ancestors had to endure. The pain that is passed on through DNA and through the stereotypes and social misconceptions of a people, today's generations have their own personal hardships to travel through.

Watching this documentary today, has encouraged me to keep teaching my children to be sensitive to all groups and to respect all ethnic cultures. I hope that they will one day try to change their own little corner as I have tried to do.