Philip Yenyo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Philip Yenyo
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| Born | |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Former Executive director of the American Indian Movement of Ohio chapter Activist |
| Years active | 1993–7 April 2021 |
| Organization | American Indian Movement Committee of 500 Years of Dignity and Resistance |
Philip Yenyo is a Native American civil rights activist. He is well-known for leading efforts against using Native American images as sports mascots.
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What Philip Yenyo Does
Philip Yenyo was the leader of the American Indian Movement of Ohio (Ohio AIM). This group works to protect the rights and culture of Native American people. He also helped lead The Committee of 500 Years of Dignity and Resistance. This group supports indigenous people and their cultural heritage in the Northeast Ohio area.
Fighting for Fair Representation
Yenyo has spent a lot of time protesting the use of the Chief Wahoo mascot. This mascot was used by the Cleveland Indians baseball team. He believes both the name and the logo should be changed.
Why Mascots Can Be Harmful
Yenyo explains that the Chief Wahoo logo, which shows a smiling red face, hurts Native American people. He says it makes them seem like a "savage" character. This kind of image can be very damaging to their culture.
He also points out that many sports teams are named after animals. When Native Americans are used as mascots, it puts them in the same group as animals. Yenyo says, "We're human beings. We're still a living culture and we still exist."
Yenyo also talks about how important sacred items are to Native Americans. He compares a feather, which is sacred to his people, to a Christian cross. He says that when people understand how these images affect Native Americans, they start to see things differently.
About His Life
Philip Yenyo is of Mexica descent. The Mexica people are an indigenous group from Mexico.
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