"To me, it�s a black-and-white issue, or perhaps red and white: For one culture to stereotype another culture is wrong. Especially when that other culture is a race. That�s why I was one of the few people who applauded the NCAA last month when it decreed that Native American nicknames and mascots would be banned from postseason competition.

No more "Indians," no more "Redmen," no more "Savages."

Wisely � and for the National Collegiate Athletic Association to be wise in anything might be the biggest upset in sports this year � the NCAA agreed to exempt nicknames supported by individual tribes. Most notably, that means the Florida State Seminoles can still chant and chop and cheer their way through the playoffs.

I�m guessing the Southeastern Oklahoma State Savages won�t be given such a waiver, if only because of the reaction of a Native American acquaintance when I informed him of the nickname.

"Are you [freaking] serious?" Othell Begay said via telephone from New York City, where he recently graduated from Columbia."

Get the Story:
Chris Simmons: Are Native American Nicknames Appropriate? (The Daily News Record 9/16)

NCAA Policy:
NCAA Executive Committee Issues Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots at Championship Events (August 5, 2005)

Relevant Links:
University of Louisiana-Monroe - http://www.ulm.edu
NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee - http://www1.ncaa.org/eprise/main/
membership/governance/assoc-wide/moic/index.html
National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media - http://www.aimovement.org/ncrsm

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