oh for fuck's sake!!!

In an unprecedented and might I add weak move, the NCAA decided to ban the use of Indian mascots at POST-season events. As for the rest of the season, the NCAA claimed it lacked authority to ban the use of such mascots by individual schools and noted that "what each institution decides to do is really its own business."

This is a lame move on so many levels. First, of course the NCAA has the authority to ban the use of offnesive macots. Duh. If they can do it during March Madness, they can certainly do it the rest of the freakin year. What are schools going to do if the NCAA says no games at your school unless you change your mascot? Are schools going to forego the revenue? Don't think so! Other schools, like St. Johns and Marquette simply changed their mascots. It didn't harm them in any way! Hell, my alma mater won the NCAA Basketball tournament this year (Go Heels!) and we did so without the use of an offensive mascot (unless there are some offended rams out there).

Next, the NCAA is going to allow individual schools to decide whether or not their mascot is offensive. HELLO!!! Poor decisions of the schools are the problem, NOT the solution. They see nothing wrong with exploiting and bastardizing Indian symbols and figures. If they did, they might've simply changed their names in the first place. Instead, they use that lame argument about honoring Indians. If that's the case, then why don't they pass some of that merchandise revenue to a local tribe that they love to honor so much? Don't see that happening. Lets not forget my other favorite argument - tradition. That's likely more accurate. Dominant society (aka white folks) have a long history of exploiting and stealing from people of color, traditionally speaking.

Oh, and here's the kicker. The NCAA isn't going to ban post-season games at offending schools. They're just going to make them cover up their logos at stadiums and on the player's uniforms. Hell, cheerleaders and bandmembers can still wear logos until 2008! So, basically, schools with offensive mascots get a little slap on the wrist but will continue to host post-season tournaments.

So what does all of this mean? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Thanks NCAA for contributing to the betterment of societ through sport and blatant RACISM!!!

Check out the article for yourself - NCAA Partially Bans Indian Mascots