“This country doesn’t really do anything voluntarily in terms of granting human rights. It comes through movements, and movements educate people,” says one of the characters featured in “Imagining the Indian.” A new trailer for the documentary details the movement to eradicate Native American names, logos, and mascots.
While colleges, high schools, and other groups have changed their logos and mascots, we’re told that the NFL is a “problem organization.” (A fact made also made clear by their reaction to Colin Kaepernick’s protests.)
The spot focuses primarily on the team known as the Washington Redskins. Protesters reject the NFL’s team use of the “r-word,” which is described as “a racial, derogatory, disparaging slur.” As one character says, “It’s as much of a slur as it would be to call the team ‘The Darkies.'”
The documentary explores how the the mascots denigrate and dehumanize Native Americans, examining the history behind the “r-word” and the legacy of genocide.
Aviva Kempner and Ben West (Cheyenne) directed “Imagining the Indian.” A 17-minute work-in-progress will be screened exclusively at film festivals until the film is completed in 2021.
