"This is our tribe, and the tribe that is represented needs to have final say and they need to respect that." -- Max Osceola, acting chief of the Seminoles. so what would happen if the tribe changes its mind? would the university be so quick to herald their close relationship with the seminoles? one tribe and one team having an understanding does not equal "One less cause the PC folks can champion". as jason quoted above, many indian groups ask the use of indian mascots be stopped. mascots are not inherently demeaning. the seminoles are OK with FSU. irish-americans are OK with notre dame. but many, if not most, native groups are upset by names like the redskins and their sentiment must be the highest priority. unfortunately fans who want to keep the names do even want the issue to be discussed, much less to give the affected peoples a first choice in the matter.
Personally, I think we should all just relax with the PC stuff but as a middle class white guy, I don't really get a vote. Here's an idea: you can name your team anything wouldn't lead to a bar fight. "Redskins" is out, then, as are other racial slurs. But a proper noun like a "Seminole" should be fine. I don't see how people can get upset about adopting anything as a mascot, as long as the thing in question isn't inherently offensive. So long as the Seminole mascot isn't stumbling around drinking firewater or pretending to scalp people or something during games, there's no problem. Good for the Seminole tribe for not making a big deal out of nothing.
