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