Indian Mascots

I can understand that to use derogatory names and/or mascots for college and pro sports, is something to be avoided, but isn't there a point where things go too far?

In the past, St. John's changed from the Redmen to the Red Storm and Marquette from the Warriors to the Golden Eagles. Even here in California, last year, a small group of students at San Diego State tried to get the "Monty Montezuma" mascot and the Aztecs nickname removed from use by the school. The Aztecs did remain, but "Monty" went the way of the dodo.

In a ruling this week, the NCAA banned the use of American Indian Mascots in all future NCAA tournaments, starting 1 Feb. "Nicknames or mascots deemed 'hostile or abusive' would not be allowed by teams on their uniforms or other clothing beginning with any NCAA tournament after 1 Feb." [Who is to judge what is 'hostile or abusive'?]

Let me tell you, if I were in high school looking for a suitable college and sports program, I would look towards the "Meek Manatees". Nothing too 'hostile of abusive'. Why choose a school with nicknames/mascots like the "Fighting Illini" or the "Rainbow Warriors", much too violent.

What is next? Will PETA stand up and claim that all nicknames and mascots associated with animals is cruel and wrong? Will color blind people claim that using a color to denote the nickname is unfair because they can't see it?

Do the depiction of mascots have any bearing on how we live our lives today? Are we as a people so blind as to blame our lot in life on these images from our past? Is "Chief Illiniwek" of the University of Illinois an unfair representation of the Native Americans from the past? Was "Monte Montezuma" an unfair depiction

The NCAA needs to shut the fuck up and let things stay as is or at least fix the bigger picture items. And all of the pc groups need to calm down. No one should be offended from the use of formal tribe names, if you are then grow up!