Carolyn L., who blogs at Remodel Minority, found these and other mascot costumes at Costume Shop. They are, from left to right, the “Mexican Costume Mascot”, “Mandarin Man Chinese Costume”, “Native American Chief Costume Mascot,” “Native American Indian Costume”:
The costumes start at $887. This reminds us that racist mascots are an industry, not just a poor choice. It would be much more difficult to field a team called the Indians, the Gauchos, or the Orientals if there were no pre-made costumes to buy.
Lisa Wade, PhD is an Associate Professor at Tulane University. She is the author of American Hookup, a book about college sexual culture; a textbook about gender; and a forthcoming introductory text: Terrible Magnificent Sociology. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Comments 29
Deaf Indian Muslim Anarchist — March 4, 2010
as an Indian I'm really offended by the name of the baseball team, "THE INDIANS" even though it's a mockery of Native Americans and not South Asians, but still deeply offensive for us both.
K — March 4, 2010
I like how the incongruence of saying that the totally un-PC costumes depict "Native Americans."
Kat — March 4, 2010
The “Native American Indian Costume” (the one on the far right) is used by the Cherokee Nation Stilwell High School (a high school with 70% American Indian pupils) as their own school mascot...
Kat — March 4, 2010
I've tried to post another comment here several times, but it doesn't work. (???)
Sir or Madame — March 4, 2010
This makes me think of "Pedro's South of the Border" on I-95 ( http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2211 ) and their excessive billboards, most featuring "mexican" caricatures. I hate that place.
Jeremiah — March 4, 2010
Obligatory:
http://www.cafepress.com/fightinwhite/
Anonymous — March 4, 2010
http://www.costume-shop.com/index.php?p=product&id=129&parent=0
^^ how about a bit of Irish racial stereotyping as well, while the mascot shop are at it
Margo — March 4, 2010
Notice how three out of four of them have the same face design.
Dr. Ivo Robotnik — March 5, 2010
Seeing human-sized animal costumes with big cartoon eyes reminds me of mascots and thus I get an urge to tackle them at full speed when their back is turned.
Sorry. :C
Kat — March 5, 2010
Please rank in order of cra*ness:
My personal undisputed number 1
Princess Kamoniwannalaya Hawaiian Native costume
http://www.bu#costumes.com/Princess-Kamoniwannalaya-Adult/18409/ProductDetail.aspx
Kat — March 5, 2010
Other "favorites":
Sexy Geisha costume (http://www.costume-sho#.com/index.php?p=product&id=1351&parent=30)
Mongolian Warrior costume (http://www.bu#costumes.com/Mongolian-Warrior-Adult/12396/ProductDetail.aspx)
Kat — March 5, 2010
Oops, I Ate It Again Naughty Girl Adult costume (http://www.bu#costumes.com/Oops-I-Ate-it-Again-Naughty-Girl-Adult-Costume/12318/ProductDetail.aspx) [wrong on so many levels]
Rasta Man costume (http://www.bu#costumes.com/Parade-Rasta-Mon-Adult/20819/ProductDetail.aspx)
Kat — March 5, 2010
Pimp Costume (this is the only Black man on the entire site) http://www.bu#costumes.com/Pimp-Red-Crushed-Velvet-Adult-Costume/17252/ProductDetail.aspx
Confederate Cutie Costume
www.bu#costumes.com/Confederate-Cutie-Adult/19544/ProductDetail.aspx
Quijotesca — March 5, 2010
None of those links work, Kat.
Karonia:a — March 5, 2010
The term "Indian" was not by our own choice, it was a label put on us....which stuck for many many years.......here in Canada we are known as "First Nations People" and we also identify ourselves by Kanien'keha:ka, Anishinabe, or what have you.....depending on your nation...and we make it be known and its accepted....
Culturally Appropriating Native Americans: A “Hands-on Approach to History” » Sociological Images — April 5, 2010
[...] posts: racist mascots, Canada’s “indigenous Olympics“, ice skaters dress up like aborigines, indigenous [...]