The Representation of "Indians"

Americans have become accustomed to calling Native American "Indians" because of that little mistake Columbus made. Mention of "Indians" conjures up images of dark skinned people clad with feathers and war paint.

This particular image of Indians is very "Hollywood" and "whimsical," taken advantage by the Washington Redskins to represent their football team. The superficial notion that Indians are "redskinned" and savage warriors does not do justice to the complex cultures of the various Native American tribes.

Exploitation of this stereotypical image undermines Native American as a people. Plastering the image of a so called "Indian" on football helmets, hats, flags, banners, souvenir cups along side colts, dolphins, and bears and having a "redskin" parade around as a mascot doesn't seem right.

Cultures deserve to be respected. Preserved and taught about in museums is one way to do this. What I particularly liked about the Museum of the American Indian is that it conveyed that Native American culture is not a dead one and a thing of the past, but rather a living culture that is still practiced by an array of people who are not "redskinned"and adorned with feather headdresses.