1999 NAACP RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO NATIVE AMERICAN MASCOTS
Whereas, the National NAACP is committed to caring for and affirming the gifts of all people, with special regard to those oppressed or disenfranchised on the basis of race, national origin, and cultural origin; and
Whereas, the use of Native American people, images, symbols, and cultural and religious traditions as sports names, logos and mascots perpetuates racist stereotypes and undermines the self-determination and dignity of Indian people; and
Whereas, the National NAACP, as a nationally and internationally recognized protector of civil and human rights, is in the unique position to impact public and corporate policies and practices,
Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the National NAACP calls upon all members and friends to refrain from purchasing items with Native American sports team logos, and to cross out such logos on merchandise already in their possession.
Be It Further Resolved, that the National NAACP call upon member branches and State Conferences of Branches to inform themselves of and support local efforts to eliminate the use of Native American people, images, symbols, and cultural and religious traditions as sports names, logos and mascots.
Be It Finally Resolved, that the National NAACP call upon all professional sports teams, and public and private schools and universities currently using such names and images to reject the use of Native Americans, and all historically oppressed people and their cultural traditions, as sports mascots and symbols, and affirm their commitment to respectful racial and cultural inclusion in all aspects of their institutions.
Respectfully Submitted on April 28, 1999 by
______________________________ ______________________________
Cleveland Jefferson - President Pulchratia Kinney - Secretary
EDITOR'S NOTE: The above resolution was received as part of the following message.
From: ostrovsk@uiuc.edu (ostrovsky)
Subject: NAACP against Racist Mascots
Champaign County Branch NAACP
July 14, 1999
For immediate release
For more information contact:
Cleveland Jefferson, President.
212 261 7000 (Room 1730) until 7/15
217 352 7166 after 7/15
Imani Bazzell, Project Coordinator.
217 351 6259
The National NAACP attendees of its 1999 Annual Convention voted unanimously and without debate for a resolution calling to reject the use of Native Americans, and all historically oppressed people and their cultural traditions, as sports mascots and symbols. This resolution was put forward by the Champaign County Branch of the NAACP of Illinois, to fulfill its April 22nd 1998 commitment to take such a resolution all the way to the National NAACP. Champaign County is home to Illinois' flagship University which still has an Indian mascot: "Chief Illiniwek".
"We are pleased that the national NAACP has not just reaffirmed its position on the use of Native American names, symbols, etc. but has voted unanimously to call upon all chapters, members and friends to take personal
action as well as join in coalition with others to eliminate these practices.", explained Imani Bazzell, Champaign County Branch Project Coordinator. "As a local chapter, it is now incumbent upon us to provide leadership and support to the national office and affected chapters around the country as they begin to implement the resolution", she added.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Champaign County Branch
Proposed August 1999 NAACP resolution from it's national convention held in New York City
WHEREAS, the National NAACP is committed to caring for and affirming the gifts of all people with special regard to those oppressed or disenfranchised on the basis of race, national origin, and cultural origin; and
WHEREAS, the use of Native American people, images, symbols, and cultural and religious traditions as sports names, logos and mascots perpetuates racist stereotypes and undermines the self-determination and dignity of Native American people; and
WHEREAS, the National NAACP, as a nationally and internationally recognized protector of civil and human rights, is in the unique position to impact public and corporate policies and practices;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National NAACP call upon all members and friends to refrain from purchasing items with Native American sports team logos and cross out such logos on merchandise already in their possession; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National NAACP call upon member Branches and State Conferences to inform themselves of and support local efforts to eliminate the use of Native American people, images, symbols, and cultural and religious traditions as sports names, logos and mascots; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National NAACP call upon all professional sports teams and public and private schools and universities currently using such names and images to reject the use of Native Americans and all historically oppressed people and their cultural traditions, as sports mascots and symbols and affirm their commitment to respect racial and cultural inclusion in all aspects of their institutions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP encourages every person of color, young and old, go on a personal campaign to continually request Black Heritage Stamps at the post office and other points of sale to ensure their availability at various retail outlets and ensure their continued production and to ensure that not one meets destruction; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that all NAACP units (Branches, Youth Councils, College chapters, State Conferences and the National Board) take steps to foster the above merchandising, by informing its membership about the issuance and availably of the Black Heritage Series, as well as the 1999 program for stamps and the criteria for stamp subject selection (http://www.usps.gov/ and/or http://www.stampsonline.com/), and encourage public participation in the process for submitting ideas for subject matters to be printed on future issues of commemorative stamps.