Various arguments against Native American mascots have used assumptions based on
similar critiques such as those connected to discourse about colonialism, racism and white
hegemony (e.g., Hewitt, 1991; Schultz, 1991; Monaghan, 1992). While these criticisms
are very justified, in this essay, the cultural roots, symbolism and performance of sport
mascots will be considered as they have been articulated to the symbolic production of
cultural narratives such as "good luck"; "authenticity"; and "nostalgia." First, classicist
David Sansone's (1988) ideas concerning the origin of sport will be discussed as they may
be connected to present-day sport mascot rituals. The essay then uses the symbolic
anthropological construct of "cultural performance" to explore the ideologies of sport
mascots in today's culture.
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