Is anybody really offended by The University of Illinois mascot?

Question

I think it is a good thing to be represented by a warrior. I am Native American and I am so tired of PC policies.

Natasha You are the Problem, I am not going to read anything that you post. I am very closed minded in some ways. Why don't you take all this misplaced anger out on important issues. To think that you don't want to be proud that people see a Indian has a powerful mascot, but just put them out of sight, out of mind. I am also glad to see Vikings, Bucaneers, 49ers, Cowboys, Patriots, etc..

OK. I read it and I think it is BS. I am Rosebud Sioux!

Forgot to add Washinton Redskins. GO Redskins!

Answer 1

NO
Glad your not a offended flake
Political Correctness is destroying America

Answer 2

The Stanford Indian was raised on the reservation he was Native to the core. He was well aware of his image and the feeling that his presence gave to the student body and alumni as well as America. It was another time to be classified as a time in history when Indian country did not have the right to stand up and say collectively would society stop with the many mascot’s that were degrading. I know that is hard for society in general to understand. There are some mascots that are a proud symbol that is respected but where do you stop and where do draw the line with an issue that demeans a race of people.
I think that the mascot thing started as an Indians, in your face, as if mascots were a sign of the continuing dominance. Although the Stanford Indian was a striking image as many other mascots portrayed many gone to the wayside images were symbols that the general public accepted as what Indian Country was all about, a joke without saying.
In Indian Country the phrase red skin is very degrading for in this countries history is the fact that Native American’s were hunted and killed and then a piece of scalp that was considered red was cut from the murdered Indigenous persons scalp and then the scalp was taken to the local legal system and the killer received one dollar or five acres of land. Now tell me that Native people are wrong with the direction in America of stop with this mascot policy that has been the general rule of thumb far to long.
It is right to talk and agree on an issue that is a two edged sword for some mascots are a symbol of reverence as other continue to be degrading. Another words the mascot should not disappear for ever more.

Answer 3

The University of Illinois was wrong to allow the NCAA tell them what to do. They should have fought it in court like the U of ND,the fighting soiux are. The Chief has always been a symbol of honor and treated as such. It is a sad day whe PC goes before a long and honored mascot. I live in Champaign the home of U of Illinois and I can tell you a large part of this city is very upset by the decision to drop the Chief.

Answer 4

Well it is good to see that it does not bother you. Although I know there are others who perceive it as a distorted, stereotyped mockery... Human beings are not costumes and dressing up as some ill formed mockery of anyone is not "honoring them," as some people like to try to claim.

"To think that you don't want to be proud that people see a Indian has a powerful mascot..."
I personally would rather see people get far within the government and be able to do things that matter, not as a MASCOT and some white guy jumping around on some playing field making a mockery of Native people.

Answer 5

I have indian heritage and I am not offended by it. I wish people would understand that it is not a slight against the tribes or ethnicity of American Indians. I take it as homage paid to brave and intelligent warriors who are to be revered and honored, not as a put down. (Let us not forget many of these Indian Warriors consistently outsmarted the military and settlers... so be proud the school chooses to honor these skills and didn't put some wrinkly old general on the school banner. LOL.)

Answer 6

Apparently some of the Illini indians were. In some areas, there are sports teams with Native American names and mascots that have received the blessings of their communities, but whenever you have a situation like this, and you have the leaders of the group being depicted coming out and saying it's inappropriate, then it's probably a good idea to start thinking of a new mascot. That's not being PC, that's avoiding lawsuits.

Answer 7

Native American is a slur, American Indian is the pc name that most prefer. However I do agree that it is carrying things to far to deny a proud symbol of our heritage, the Fla. Seminole face the same thing.

Edit: For those that don't know this a directive of the NCAA, all school mascots that dipict American Indians are banned from schools.

Answer 8

I am a Native American woman as well. I am so offended by your statement. I am active in my community and I can tell you that the mascot DOES hurt so many people. There are so many Native people out there who want the mascot gone, you should be Supporting Your People! You know when one Native person says it's okay it ruins all the hard work we have put into it, it gives everyone else reason to believe that what they are doing is okay. And it really really isn't.

Let me tell you a little more (here is a post that I responded to on mascots, i think it'll give you some more information on the topic, please read):
I was one of a few who led a campaign at the University of Oregon against teams who use Native mascots. In fact my name was on the ESPN front page (of their website). I can give you so much information on this I am SURE i can at least get you thinking about my point of view.

Before I start responding to your comments however let me say that Illinois already has to hang up their mascot because of an official ruling by the NCAA

There is a difference between the Fighting Irish and the Fighting Illini. First Native people have gone through a history of cultral genocide and oppression. This is not entirely true for the Irish culture, although they did face some oppression they are accepted for the most part in American society today. Native people still have no voice in American society today and there are still abundant stereotypes facing Native people today. There are completely different histories behind the two groups of people. And second, Native people have always said they would stand behind the Irish community if they wanted to fight to have it removed. Third, the Irish community isn't saying that this mascot is hurting them. The Native community has said over and over again that it is hurting them. -- What makes you think that your opinion is more valid than that of a Native person?-- That is oppression! That is White priveledge! Native people say it hurts, it's wrong and they are talking about their own people. Your opinion about what hurts Natives is not more valid than their own opinion.

The mascot is hurting Native people, to respond to your second comment. Wether it was intended to do so or not. It is not a historical reference. There is nothing about Chief Illiniwek that represents actual Native culture. It promotes steretypes. The Illini did not give permission to have their name used. The Chief is a misrepresentation of Native culture. First, it's a White guy dressing up as a Native. That in itself is wrong. Do you dress up like a Black person??? I think we can all see that it is wrong to dress up as an African American or a Jewish person. Why is it not wrong to dress up like a Native American. Second, the clothes that the Chief wears are Sioux clothes, a tribe unrrelated to th Illini, they just wear it because it fits the cultural stereotype of Native dress. Third, the clothes the Chief wears represent something important in Native culture and would Never be worn to a sports game. Fourth, feathers are sacred and shouldn't be worn in that capacity. Fifth, the dance the Chief does is FAKE it is gymnasitcs. That is blatantly making fun of Native culture. A White guy dresses up in fake Native clothes that reprsent another tribe's culture and does gymnastics on a sports arena. What about this is honoring the tribe? Nothing.

Okay not only does this misrepresent Native culture and spread stereotypes. Think about Native children that have to see this crap. How confusing is it for them to see someone who does this? How confusing is it for them to have other children at their school imitate this mascot? How HORRIBLE is it for them to see people doing the tomahawk chop, which is done at nearly every sports event with a mascot. The tomahawk chop represents scalping of Native peoples.

If you want more information I can give it to you. Please feel free to email me. I have an EDUCATED response to anything you can throw at me regarding this topic. [e-mail], please only email me if you are willing to discuss it in a civil manner.

IF NATIVE PEOPLE WANT IT TO STOP THEN IT SHOULD STOP!!!

Answer 9

I think some who claim they are Indians (Native Americans) are pots calling the kettle black. I would support changing names of teams to something more "politically correct" if the Indians themselves did it first.

RED LAKE HIGH SCHOOL on the Red Lake Indian Reservation.

Name of the Boys team: Ogichidaag (Warriors)
Name of the Girls team: Ogichidaakwag (Lady Warriors)

Answer 10

I've never seen it but I'm sure that there are lots of people here in The United States Of The Perpetually Offended that are.

Answer 11

Well, apparently many Native Americans are offended. I personally think its political correctness gone mad.