Education
Mascot issue still a divisive one despite changes


Hundreds of schools and universities across the nation have dropped their Indian-themed mascots, logos and nicknames, but activists are still battling some of the big ones.

The Chief Illiniwek mascot at the University of Illinois and the Fighting Sioux nickname at the University of North Dakota are among the most controversial. Attempts to remove both have failed in recent years.

American Indian Movement founder Vernon Bellecourt, president of the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media, says Indian imagery will eventually go. "There is no way they can continue with this type of institutionalized racism in American sports programs," he tells Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service.

Get the Story:
Activist groups rally for removal of `racist' mascots, nicknames (Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service 6/30)

Relevant Links:
National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media - http://www.aimovement.org/ncrsm