Chief Illiniwek (#341, Topic A)
The lead news in this morning's PBS broadcast concerned the "death" of Chief Illiniwek, who danced to native music at University of Illinois' sports activities. The death was forced upon the university administration by NCAA, on the ground that the Chief is one of the "hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin mascots." I beg to disagree. When I was a student at UI, the Chief's performance was always dignified; indeed, I enjoyed being exposed to some authentic native culture. Later this morning, I read, in today's Washington Post, columnist Robert Novak's essay, (I did not know that he is a second-generation fellow Illini) captioned "Death of the Chief." He was blunt: "The death of the Chief epitomizes some unsavory aspects of contemporary American public life: political correctness, hypocrisy and bureaucratic tyranny." Indeed it is. Novak continued by wondering whether the state name, Illinois (meaning "tribe of superior men"), should be abandoned. Clearly not so, though the phrase Fighting Illini is also disallowed. What a shame.
posted by David H. Li at 11:44 PM
1 Comments:
Throughout my travels and experience in the U.S., I have always been saddened by the well-meaning citizen who claims that Redskins, Indians, etc. discriminate against the Native Americans of this country. And so, my alma mater - Stanford Univ. had to drop its football team's name Stanford Indians and become the colorless Stanford "Cardinals." At least it kept the color red in the uniforms and helmets. Then, other school symbols fell. But thank goodness - the Washington Redskins football team continues to thrive despite all the nonsense. And, of course, the irony of this matter is that so many Native American associations, tribes have spoke up to keep these symbols and names in teams because it raises the visibility of their dignified group and, in many instances, is the symbol of much pride and celebration in schools and communities. "Hail to the Redskins!!"" Amen.
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