Anyone here from Illinois?

Question

And have been keeping up with the controversy of Illini's mascot, Chief Illiniwek?? I'd like to know what the big stink is about an Indian Chief mascot dancing at Illini's games?? What is so offensive about that?? I am Native American and I don't find anything offensive about it...if anything, I think it brings Native culture to the forefront and we should take pride in that. One Native American student was quoted as saying that with the mascot being portrayed as a dancing Chief, that she didn't feel safe on campus. What does a student portraying a dancing Chief have to do with somebody's safety?? Can somebody please explain this to me because obviously, I don't get it. I'm also part German, so does that mean we have to stop the Oktoberfest celebrations because by doing so, it's racist and affects my personal safety as a German descendant?? Please...

Answer 1

Please go watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rp4lRn9x5Y

That mascot was supposed to be a chief. That's not how we honor our Chiefs, to have a non-Native dress up like a Chief and run around like a fool.

That MASCOT was wearing sacred items such as eagle feathers. They are not to be disrespected in such a manner. When one understands Native beliefs one can begin to understand why that's offensive. It's like having a pope running around with a bible acting ridiculous. Christians wouldn't go for it.

You asked, "What does a dancing Chief have to do with somebodies safety?"

"In Massachusetts, a team burns an Indian in effigy the night before a game.
In Minnesota, after a pep rally where the teachers and students dress up as cowboys and Indians, the cowboys yell ,"Get back to the reservation." After the rally, students beat up real Natives.
In Kansas, a man who sought to remove the mascot was sent emails from students that threatened his home and the rape of his wife.
In Hutchinson, KS, a newspaper headline stated Orioles Gun Down Indians. Any place that runs headlines like this subliminally teaches our children that the massacre of Indians was a permissible event."
http://www.racismagainstindians.org/UnderstandingMascots.htm

Things like this happen all of the time.

If it's not really a big issue like a lot of people say, then just change the mascots. To say that people are being too politically correct or that it's not an important issue is to say that Native's human rights are not important. Native children have the right to not be teased. Native people have the right to not be humiliated and have the Native sacred items made fun of.

Frito Bandito was protested by Latinos and was removed. Little Black Sambo was protested by African Americans and was removed. It's time for Illiniwek and Wahoo to be removed!

The mascots may not have been intended to be harmful, but when one is told that it is harmful and the action continues anyway, it becomes intentional.

I do not know much about Oktoberfest but I believe it's put on by people of German decent and I don't believe any religious items are being disrespected.

Maybe some better points on the topic at:
http://www.inwhosehonor.com/GONE.HTML
http://english.sxu.edu/sites/kirstein/?p=634

Answer 2

I can explain it to you. I am a Native woman. I am active in my community. It seems that since you don't find it offensive and since you don't understand the issue you are not.

I will explain below: Email me if you want to continue a Civil and Respectful conversation about this. [e-mail]

Comment: The mascot honors Native people.


Answer:

1st: Native people say that it doesn't. Why does your opinion count more than theirs? It is their people being misrepresented and hurt.

2nd: The Illini mascot misrepresets Native culture. The outfit worn by the mascot is not an Illini outfit. It belongs to the Sioux tribe which has a completely different culture. The mascot performs gymnastics and calls it a Native Fancy Dance. It is not a Native Fancy Dance, ask any Native dancer. The outfit is worn out of context and so is disrespecting Native culture. The outfit consits of sacred Native objects such as feathers that would not be traditionally used in such a way. The term Redskin means the bloody skin of a Native person, it refers to scalping. When people go to games with Native mascots they do the tomahawk chop. Imagine a Native child sitting in the audience while everyone is doing the tomahawk chop. How are any of the things listed above honorary? The bad certainly outways the good.



Comment:This is a matter of political correctness. It doesn't really hurt anyone.


Answer:

Native people say it does hurt. It spreads cultural ignorance. In towns where Native people are present some fans get carried away and Native people get physically injured (sometimes for protesting the mascot, sometimes for just being Native). Please read testimonials by Native people of the several ways they are being hurt by this. If even one person is hurt then it should stop. If the political correctness helps people heal then let us support it. And it is more a matter of continued oppression and exercise of White priveledge than it is of politcal correctness.

Comment: Why not fight against the fighting Irish, why only Native Americans? This will work towards your German comment as well.


Answer:

1st: Native people have always said we would support the Irish community if and when they come forward. So far they haven't and we have.

2nd: A leprachaun is not an actual person while the Native mascots do represent a person.

3rd: The history of Native oppression is different from that of Irish oppression. The Irish did experience oppression when they first arrived in America however they are pretty much now accepted as part of the dominant culture. Although some cultural stereotypes do exist they have the benefit of White priveledge.

Native people experienced oppression from the arrival of colonizers. Their oppression has consisted of Genocide, Cultural Genocide, Rape, Land Theft, Torture, and Kidnapping among others. Native oppression still occurs today and the Native mascot is a symbol of that oppression.

Answer 3

I don't get it either. Everyone has to be so politically correct. I think that it holds us back as Americans.