Unmasking Mascotry: An Instagram Activism Account

https://www.instagram.com/unmasking_mascotry/

In Unmasking Mascotry, I argue against the use of Indigenous stereotypes, culture, and imagery in the context of sports mascots and fandom. In the history of professional and amateur sports, many teams have adopted racist and derogatory team names and associated mascots. These derogatory images are dangerous because they create a singular, stereotypical, and racist narrative of what is Indigenous. It removes the diversity in Indigenous peoples and culture, and simplifies them all to a singular image. In this Instagram activism account, I argue against the use of these mascots and images for various important reasons, but I also highlight the current efforts that are ongoing.

This issue is a relevant and important one because it is a contributing factor to the common stereotypes and racism surrounding Indigenous peoples. Sports teams, and mascot racism against Indigenous peoples is so common that many do not even question these clearly derogatory names. Many argue that it is “tradition” or “honouring” the Indigenous peoples they supposedly represent, in order to maintain this system of oppression. If a modern sports team attempted to rebrand to a racist image or name of any other group of people it would not be accepted. This shows the success of these names, and their integration into popular culture. They work to normalize racist imagery and vocabulary and continue a violent system of oppression against the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island or colonial Canada and U.S.A.