NOTEBOOK 1: prompt number 3 Collect several images that interest you, related in some way to your issue (the

relevance can be tangential, as long as you feel it). then write something that connects the images, one to another. You can think of your connections as a story (one thing connected to the next), or as a web (everything cross-connected), or as a square, with two sets of opposites, or as a circle (ideas leading back to the place you started).

I started off by thinking of the most tasteful Indian mascots. I love the Illinois Fightin Illinis Indian chief logo.

I feel like the Florida State Seminols tasefully use this mascot and the Seminol tribe agrees by giving them permission to use the name, tribe, and mascot.

There are however several mascots that are not acceptable. Many of which are frowned upon not only byt their respective tribes, but by society in general.

This was just one example I could find of a true initiative to end Indian mascots in high schools.

This was more humorous to me, but it drives home the point. How would we feel if it was us? Just because it is one of the more underappreciated minority groups it is not properly represented and it is therefore accepted by society.

NOTEBOOK 2: prompt # 10
10. Write two lists entitled "What I Know" and "What I Don't Know about my issue. Develop a list of possible resources that you could help you explore what you know and find answers to what you dont know about your issue. What I know. Racism is bad Racism is not accepted by most races People normally arent intentionally racist Sports have athletes of all races, but generally have a few dominant races (based on parts of the world where that sport is a focus. E.g. Hockey in cold weather North America or northern Europe)

What I dont know. Does racism still exist in 2013? Do minority groups feel discriminated against How does racism currently affect sports? What can we do to stop racism?

Resources. One of the most valuable resources will be current news information. Sports are ever evolving and certain topics pop up for a week or two and are examined with a fine tooth comb and then can fall out of the spotlight all together. It will be important that I can keep up with that so it doesnt fa ll by the wayside. I can also use historical sports statistics to grow an understanding of how sports and racism have changed over the years.

NOTEBOOK 3: prompt number 8 8. Look at your draft and find a place you used a source. What did you do with this source? Describe how you used it: did you introduce it? Quote, paraphrase, summarize it? Did you put it in contrast with another source? Did you agree with your source, use it to support a point, use it to characterize an argument or position you disagree with? What are some other ways you could have used this source? Why did you choose to use the source as you did?

I used a simple fact from one of my sources. I introduced it with the story but didnt directly state where it was from. I quoted it exactly as I read it, but did not keep it in the exact context. It was not in contrast, but rather it was to prove a point. I also could have used this source to properly set up the dynamic of college sports and the role different races play. I also could have gone further to explain what other races are involved. I used it that way because it most properly and concisely supported my point, but was impactful in the simplicity.

NOTEBOOK 4: prompt # 22
22. Return to an essay you have written. Revise the essay, making some kind of major adjustment reworking your thesis, starting with the conclusion, changing the narration (in the memoir or profile), cutting it by a third, etc. Or translate it into a PSA, audio essay, video essay, graphic/hypertext. I decided to change my thesis. It makes my purpose more clear and explains a bit more of the why of my story. It also helped keep me under five hundred words. While I was talented, I made my high school basketball team only because I am white.

NOTEBOOK 5: prompt number 20

20. Write the outline of your argument for a position or proposal paper using the scientific method as the template for the argument: o Ask a Question: How can we end racism in sports o Do Background Research There are several examples of racism. Racism in sports may be the simplest to end. Washington redskins are great example of racism with unwillingness to change. o Construct a Hypothesis (come up with a working thesis). Racism, while difficult, can slowly be eliminated from our society by first changing the names of sports teams from racial slurs to appropriate monikers. o Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment (research your issue through a variety of sources/lenses/perspectives/audiences). Upon doing the tomahawk chop (used by the Atlanta braves and Florida state Seminoles) I asked what the first thing was to come to peoples minds. Most said football. I also asked them the origin of a tomahawk. Less than half could give a semi-appropriate answer as to how this tool was used by our predecessors. o Analyze Your Data and Draw a Conclusion (data=evidence=sources). People think that all tribes use tomahawks. While a simple experiment it shows that sports negatively affect the perception people have of the original inhabitants of our country. They overall have negative feelings toward them. o Communicate Your Results (your position stated in a thesis statement). Appropriate understanding and

respect for our predecessors has been defiled and keeps worsening by the use of negligent monikers, hand motions, and mascots. It is creating a stereotype that is irreversible.

NOTEBOOK 6: prompt number 17 17. Create a hypertext summary off all of your electronic sources for an essay. Create links to the sources in your summaries. Include two-three-sentence biographies of your sources and links to where you found the biographical information.

Shropshire, Kenneth and Smith, Earl The Tarzan Syndrome Undated. Web. 12 July 2013. http://wsb.wharton.upenn.edu/documents/research/shropshire/The%20Tarzan%20Syndrome.pdf This is an analysis of a highly controversial essay that illustrates the thinking that black are different. Physically better, mentally inferior. This article plays heavily into the old fashioned thinking that blacks are less than whites. Although written by hooberman in 1997, he has views of the civil war and racism. hoberman also has the thinking that sports and sports figures have ruined the opportunity for young African Americans to succeed in life. He feels that blacks focus more on sports than advancing in school and careers. " inordinate attention to and idolization of prominent black athletes such as Michael Jordan has focused attention away from other more realistic and important role models, and this, in turn has stunted intellectual, social and economic development in the black community." the analyzes comes to the conclusion that blacks have made huge racial leaps in becoming successful and dominant players. They are now on the way to becoming successful coaches and managers the "intellectual positions" proving hoberman incorrect. Scott, Kevin Tennessee's Hire Shows Racism Is Alive and Well in College Football 15 January 2010. Web. 12 July 2013 http://bleacherreport.com/articles/326890-tennessee-vols-hiring-of-dooley-shows-racism-in-cfalive-and-well In the year 2009 "92.5 percent of university presidents in the FBS were white, 87.5 percent of the athletic directors were white and 100 percent of the conference commissioners were white." In comparison, "roughly 31 percent of position coaches are black and 12 percent of coordinators were black. Out of the players in the FBS, roughly 54 percent are black." [30] Whereas the NFL has implemented the Rooney Rule in order to create opportunities for minority coaches, college football has no such rule in place. However, overtime racial cohesion in sports has improved, as Clotfelter states that there has been a "realization that future success would require integrated teams." hoose p (1989) Necessities: racial barriers in American sports - Phillip M. Hoose. New York: random house

This book states that black do not have the "necessities" to properly run sports clubs. It states that blacks arent as intellectually adept as whites. One black athlete ted Williams responding to criticism states "people talk about my great I say and reflexes as if it were the reasons for my success. Thats bullshit.do you know how I learned to hit the ball practice, dammit. Practice, practice, practice. Trial and error. Trial and error. Trial and error." in other words its not all about god given talents. The same as any other person, its necessary to work hard to succeed it wasnt just given to him. He also alludes to the fact that he could succeed in anything he tries if he works hard at it.

Anonymous Joel Ward's Game-Winning Playoff Goal Sets Off Barrage Of Racist Tweets 26 April 2013.
Web. 12 July 1013

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/26/joel-ward-goal-sparks-racisttweets_n_1455975.html As recently as 2012 racism has been in full effect. After scoring a series winning goal in the NHL playoffs, Joel ward received many inappropriate racist tweets. While hockey is mostly played by whites from several countries, there are a few successful blacks. After winning the game, fans from multiple fan bases sent tweets, most of which including the N-word. Ward talks about how it doesnt negatively affect him anymore. It does though speak volumes to the lack of racial acceptance that is still very prevalent in mainstream America.

Two-Hawks, John How 'Indian' mascots oppress Undated. Web. 12 July 2013 http://www.nativecircle.com/mascots.htm American Indian Johnny two-hawks explain the oppression and racism that comes from Indian named teams. he says that to native Americans, the name 'REDSKINS' in just as offensive as the N-word to them. other names that are considered offensive are savages, squaws, braves, and chiefs. all of these names are highly derogatory. some when seen in context have negative connotations to female genitalia, murdering Indians, and unexpected Indian hierarchy, all of which are completely inappropriate. I cant even type a racially appropriate equivalent for fear of seeming insensitive to our race, but these things are normal and lauded in our culture when aimed at native American culture.

Basu, Moni Native American mascots: Pride or prejudice? 4 April 2013. Web. 12 July 2013 http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/04/native-american-mascots-pride-or-prejudice/ this article details the use of native American names as mascots, such as the Washington redskins, Cleveland Indians, Florida state Seminoles, etc. these names are sometimes considered offensive and have many times come under scrutiny. the ncaa has even banned teams with offensive racial names. teams such as Oklahoma and Illinois have changed nicknames in

accordance with this rule. In 2005 the American Psychological Association (APA) called for the immediate retirement of all American Indian mascots, symbols, images and personalities by schools, colleges, universities, athletic teams and organizations. APA's position is based on a growing body of social science literature that shows the harmful effects of racial stereotyping and inaccurate racial portrayals. it is a form of discrimination against American Indian Nations that can lead to negative relations between groups. There used to be more than 3,000 teams with Native American names and mascots. Thats down to about 900 now but thats still 900 too many for Gover.

Mathis-Lilley,

Ben Unskilled White Basketball Player Mason Plumlee Is A Civil Rights Hero. 27 June 2013. Web. 12 July 2013 http://www.buzzfeed.com/bml/unskilled-white-basketball-player-mason-plumlee-is-a-civil-r This article explains the racial bias in sports that unathletic white players are categorized as "smart". It also states the stigma that black athletes who are physically talented are "raw". In other words they dont completely understand the intricacies of the sport. They may have talent but dont know how to fully use it. The article implies that white athletes who may not be as skilled as black athletes are still highly desired because they "understand" the game better. It gives one example from this years NBA draft. mason plumlee is considered one of the "smarter" athletes even though he lacks fundamentals and extreme athletic prowess. he was selected 22 overall in the draft.

http://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/indian-mascots.aspx http://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/indian-mascots.aspx

NOTEBOOK 7: prompt number 30 30. Read Cynthia Newberry Martin's essay "Not Every Sentence Can be Great, But Every Sentence Must Be Good." Look through your current piece--find a passage where you feel the sentences could be stronger, more vivid, tighter, and less slack. Using her "seven ways to take a sentence from boring to good," revise at least three sentences to make them better. Riley Cooper has been temporarily released from the Philadelphia Eagles after using a racial slur at a country music concert. The sports news was filled with the reports of racism, not in sports, but by an athlete who plays with men of other races. This piqued my interest into racism in sports. While yes this is bad, did he really need to be released from the team? It wasnt during a game or practice, but while he was away from the team. This certainly isnt the first time someone has used the term, so why was it so bad now? Sports in general have always had forms of racism. There are several examples of mainstream racism. One of the biggest and most talked about forms of racism right now is the use of racial slurs as monikers for sports teams. The largest current fight is against the Washington Redskins. To Indian tribes across the country that name redskins is a racially demeaning name. The tribes want that name changed to avoid

the pain it brings when remembering it in the negative connotation that most of us dont realize or choose to ignore. The team, however, feels it would cause damage to the brand of the team. I think it would be so simple to just change the name to avoid hurting a large group of tribes who are affected. There are a few teams, such as the Utah Utes and Florida State Seminoles, who have reached an agreement with the respective tribes to honor the tribe and what their nicknames represent. While I am not experiencing racism first hand, as an avid sports fan I see it on a regular basis.

NOTEBOOK 8: prompt number 33 33. Interview someone who has been involved/affected by your issue for quite some time. Write down 6-8 questions in advance. Remember to create open-ended questions. Record the interview in your notes or via an audio/video recording device. Ask them to tell you the story of their involvement with the issue. Ask them about specific locations/places that remember as important to their story. Conduct some research on the facts, locations/places, people, and/or events that they mentioned in the interview. Use your research to connect their story to the broader connections to your issue. Start with a description of a place they mentioned. I chose to interview Johnny Ecko Hawk who is an American-Indian activist. How long have you been aware of racism? Practically all of my life. I always saw the university of Utah. They have fans that dress up as Indians, and their old mascot that was an Indian. I always heard about that kind of stuff. It is a misrepresentation of what we really are. What is the impact of racism to your tribe? People have a preconceived notion about us being lazy drunken Indians, but nobody knows the real Indian. There is a bad stigmatism. Even when I apply for jobs I feel like people think I am just a drunk looking for money. Sometimes people think that I am just trying to get even for years of prejudice toward my ancestors. How have you seen racism in sports? They are always used as mascots. There are always bad pictures of Indians. They are poor representations of what Indians really are and what we have helped this nation become. Things like braves, fighting Utes, and redskins are all negative things about American Indians in general. Do the names of certain sports teams offend you personally? Yes when they are negatively representing the Indian culture. The most offensive of them are the redskins. Nobody is there to stand up for the American Indians. Everyone is trying to get rid of racism toward blacks and Asians, but nobody is getting rid of the word redskin which is just as bad as saying the n word. Do you agree with certain tribes agreement to support the nicknames of certain teams like the Utah Utes, but not others such as the North Dakota Fighting Sioux? Honestly I feel like the name Utes is properly representing a tribe. Fighting Sioux is demeaning toward the Sioux tribe because of the word fighting. The Utes also dropped the mascot, logo, and other signs of the Utes and just kept the tribe.