Blanket, one-size-fits-all, zero-tolerance policies seldom work.

The NCAA, in an admirable attempt to force cultural sensitivity onto its member schools, proves the point.

On Aug. 5, the NCAA barred the use of American Indian nicknames or images from postseason tournaments. Eighteen schools are affected by the ruling.

There’s a lot of distance between the Carthage College Redmen or the Southeastern Oklahoma State Savages and the Florida State Seminoles. Redmen and Savages clearly cross the line and are offensive, playing heavily upon discarded and hurtful stereotypes and caricatures. But in the case of Florida State, the school has a long-established relationship with the state’s Seminole Indians, who have endorsed the university’s use of their name and take an active role in policing the imagery to make sure it is culturally sensitive. Likewise, the Chippewa tribe backs Central Michigan University’s use of its name.

By creating a universal ban, the NCAA is guilty of the same insensitivity as some of its member schools. If the Florida Seminole tribe supports the use of its name by a university, the NCAA should not interfere. To do so is an example of nagging paternalism that insists, “We know what’s best for your people.” Such attitudes are as archaic and offensive as any team logo.

Schools – and professional teams – that capitalize on outdated ideas and images of American Indians need to reconsider. The time for team names like the Redskins, Redmen, Indians and Savages has long since passed. But the NCAA policy only substitutes one kind of cultural insensitivity for another.