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Indian Mascots and Logos. Why they hurt ALL Wisconsin students. Talking Points for Allies. ACT 250. Passed in May of 2010
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Indian Mascots and Logos Why they hurt ALL Wisconsin students. Talking Points for Allies
ACT 250 • Passed in May of 2010 • Provides a PROCESS for residents of school districts, who object to the use of race based logos and mascots, to file a compliant against schools that use Race Based mascots and logos. • Complaint is heard by the State Superintendent
Why ACT 250 is important. • Residents of school districts can go straight to State Superintendent to hear compliant instead of local school boards. • Does not wipe out logos. Provides a path of discussion. • One person can make a difference.
Arguments against ACT 250. • Schools should not have to change logo/mascot because of one voice. • Too much Government involvement. • Logos/Mascots are not racist, get over it!
What the research says…. • Stephanie Ann Fryberg; Stanford University • Looked at the effects of “Pocahontas, Chief Wahoo, or negative stereotypes” on both American Indian and Euro-American students. • American Indian students reported depressed self esteem and collective self efficacy. • Euro-American students enjoyed a boost in self esteem.
Groups that Support this Research • American Psychological Association • American Sociological Association • Stanford University
Other Studies and Results • Dr. Chu Kim Prieto et. al • Concluded students exposed to “Indian” nicknames and logos increased their stereotyping of other minority groups Dr Jesse Steinfeldt et. al -documented high levels of hurtful rhetoric and cyber bullying in communities where a logo complaint is filed. While trying to explain the “honoring”, threats and cyber attacks are made.
What that means to Wisconsin Students. • Our American Indian students, when exposed to Indian logos/mascots, loose self esteem and confidence within their communities. • Our Euro-American students, when exposed to Indian logos/mascots, have a “false” sense of superiority, a “false” increase in self esteem and tend to reflect stereotyping onto all minority groups. This increases invisible attitudes of “White Privilege.”
Proposal to repeal ACT 250 • State Senators Mary Lazich and Neal Kedzie, along with State Representatives Andre Jacque and Steve Nass. • Proposed and drafted a bill to repeal ACT 250. • 2011 Assembly Bill 26
What we can do! • Call, email, write our State legislators and tell them NOT to support 2011 Assembly Bill 26! • Write letters to the local newspapers • Use social media • Talk to each other
Why We Should Support ACT 250 • Acknowledge and support First Nations people and communities. • Discrimination and stereotypes hurt ALL Wisconsin students. • To prepare students for the future, we need to set example of how to “honor” diversity in a respectful way. • Bad for Economic development if Wisconsin is known to be racist and discriminatory.
Sources • Wisconsin Indian Education Association “Indian” Mascot and Logo Task Force • http://legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/data/AB-26