Perspectives of Social Justice Activists: Advocating Against Native-themed Mascots, Nicknames, and Logos

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2011-08-22
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sage/Division of Counseling Psychology of the American Psychological Association
Abstract
This study investigated perspectives of social justice activists who directly advocate for the elimination of Native-themed mascots, nicknames, and logos. Using Consensual Qualitative Research methodology, the research team analyzed transcripts of interviews conducted with eleven social justice activists to generate themes, categories, and domains within the data. Five domains emerged: (a) deleterious impact of Native-themed mascots, nicknames, and logos; (b) components of identity preservation among supporters; (c) reasons why some American Indians might support Native-themed mascots, nicknames, logos; (d) frontline advocacy efforts; and (e) coping strategies for advocates. Results provided insights into the sociopsychological processes which operate—among both non-Indians and Indians—to allow the misappropriation of American Indian culture, symbols, and imagery in sport to continue to exist in society. Findings can help counseling psychologists better understand the lived experience of social justice activists, while also highlighting ways that our field can support efforts to eliminate race-based mascots, nicknames, and logos.
Description
Keywords
social justice advocacy; American Indian; Native American; race-based sports mascots, nicknames, and logos; multicultural competency
Citation
Steinfeldt, J. A., Foltz, B. D., LaFollete, J. R., White, M. R., Wong, Y. J. & Steinfeldt, M. C. (2011, August 22). Perspectives of social justice activists: Advocating against Native-themed mascots, nicknames, and logos. The Counseling Psychologist. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/0011000011411736.
DOI
Relation
Rights
Copyright 2011 Division of Counseling Psychology of the American Psychological Association
Type
Article