Protecting them from … themselves?

An effort to ban American Indian imagery in team names and mascots may force one tribe to stop celebrating its heritage to assuage white liberal guilt. The Confederated Tribe of Siletz Indians objects to an Oregon State Board of Education rule forcing their Siletz Valley Early College Academy to drop the “Warriors” as a team nickname. In a statement, tribal officials said the name ban “does nothing to address the real issues of racism nor does it address the issue of the low self-esteem of Native students attending public schools.” They add that the rule forces the tribe “to succumb to the misguided intentions of people who have no knowledge of Indian communities.” Obviously, some mascot names are offensive, but American Indians do not need to be protected from themselves. This takes political correctness way, way too far.

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