RIP: Chief Illiniwek

[chadm]

I still believe that mascots for an institution is a source of pride and respect. I understand the stereotype issues with the fighting and war side of the native americans. How about mascots that are of white people in a militiary uniform or with weapons?

[Cyphor]

This issue obviously needs to be addressed on a case by case basis. There seem to be many tribes (Seminoles, Chippewas ) who don’t mind having their names used so no problem. But, in my understanding the fake Illini (school) has been in hot water with the real Illini (tribe) for some time. If they feel like they are being disrespected for any reason they have a right to complain. Who are we to tell them what should offend them?

Why do we have label people who complain about something as whiners with sand in their vagina? If any of you felt that you where being disrespected wouldn’t you stand up and say, “Hell no, that’s not right, that doesn’t represent me! Don’t make me into a joke!”

It seems like the real Illini are struggling against two stereotypes, the first which is presented by the U of Illinois, and the second, as thin skin whiners who can’t take a joke, take themselves too seriously etc. Lets please be respectful and listen to what they have to say.

[jdoggivjc]

Actually, from what I've heard, there is no Illini tribe anymore, so Illinois gets to hear it from the Native American population in general. It's easier when you can pay one tribe off (such as FSU and CMU), but when you have to pay off every tribe in the US, it can get quite pricy...

[Cyclonepride]

there is nothing sadder than a bunch of white people whining and crying that they can't used indians as mascots anymore. Everyone thinks it is done with dignity and such but have you seen the cleveland indians logo!!! If that is dignity I am glad I am not native american. Can you imagine the uproar if we had a team called the negros or something with a logo featuring a cartoon black man with a fro and big exagerated lips. It is time to let the stereotypes go. Tradition is one thing but sometimes it gets in the may of the right thing to do.

I would have to agree with you on the Cleveland Indians logo. That is the first one that comes to mind. Overall though, I believe that the pendulum is swinging too far the other way in our society. There is no way for us to make up for past mistakes. Seeking to end racism is a noble ideal, but at times it has become a witch hunt. Any idea or statement that could be construed the wrong way is attacked without mercy, and sometimes without common sense. I guess the wonderful thing about our country is that everyone from the extreme right and left get to have their say, it balances, and we find ourselves somewhere in the middle. Sometimes the middle is not very satisfying.

[DexterGreen]

So... what happens when the mascots become more "traditional" than the tribes themselves? The PC police often "forget" that the misnamed "native Americans" weren't "native," at all, but rather pushed the original occupants (who were themselves encroachers on the land) off their "native lands" and mostly within a relatively short period of time before Europeans arrived.

In the process, our racist/tribalist warriors tortured, killed, humiliated and otherwise "disrespected" their precedents. And now demand "respect" for their "traditions" from the rest of us??? I would think being tax exempt, practicing massive welfare fraud and protecting criminals on reservations would be good enough for them. I actually enjoy the irony.

I apologize if I have burst anyone's bubble about the "noble" Native American. And think that anyone should have a right to use anything they want as a mascot, and be free from the fear of judicial blackmail. It "was" a free country, wasn't it?