Consequences of the Native American Mascot

The State of Oregon recently announced that its public schools are no longer allowed to use Native American nicknames and mascots. While some say such images perpetuate stereotypes, others say they honor Native American culture.

In a recent blog on Psychology Today, Sam Sommers of Tufts University reflects on this debate and scientific research about the complicated ways in which Native American mascots affect members of the Native American community – including recent work by Stephanie Fryberg of the University of Arizona et al., and Scott Freng of the University of Wyoming et al. Although these mascots are often viewed positively, even by members of Native American communities, there are also negative psychological consequences to them, Sommers writes.