Politically Incorrect College Mascots

Dear Ask a DnD Monster:

The University of North Dakota's mascot is the Fighting Sioux.  This mascot has been contested since the 1970s with some claiming that it's offensive, others claiming that it's not.  In fact, in 2005, the NCAA declared the mascot "hostile and abusive" and banned them (and any other schools with tribal nicknames) from playing any playoff games at home.

My question is this: if the "Fighting Sioux" is such a hotly contested mascot, why isn't anybody upset about Notre Dame using "Fighting Irish?"  To me, both are ethnic groups preceded by the word "fighting."  Are the Irish in America just better at sports or what?

Ethnically Confused



Answer From: a Unicorn
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Dear Confused:

You know what I don't get?  Why more schools don't use the Fighting Unicorns for their mascot.

Think about it - continuous magic circle against evil?  Tons of American football players couldn't even touch you!  Drug users, illegal gamblers, the Oakland Raiders... I'd think a running back would be proud to be associated with unicorns.  Greater teleport, anyone?  What better way to describe a wide receiver who can get down the field faster than anyone can react?  I think, the next time you see a college football player in a bar, you should walk right up to that guy and say, "I've seen you play, man, and you're a f***ing unicorn out there!"  I'll bet you'll get a reaction.

But back to your original question - why is it not okay to use the Sioux but okay to use the Irish for a mascot?  It probably goes back to the fact that Notre Dame was founded by the Irish, whereas the Sioux's relationship to University of North Dakota is probably more along the lines of "people we had to displace to make room for the University of North Dakota."  Besides, being Celtic, myself, I can tell you, when those Irish are going after your horn, you don't wanna be there.

Then again, I only have an Intelligence of 10, so, you know, grain of salt and all.

Eluna, the Unicorn