"On Facebook, the popular, student-driven social Web forum, a University of Illinois undergraduate began a group late last year called 'If They Get Rid of the Chief I'm Becoming a Racist.'
These were two students' postings on the site, aimed specifically at an American Indian woman who wants the school to stop using a caricature of her culture as its mascot.
'What they don't realize is that there never was a racist problem before,' wrote one, 'but now I hate redskins and hope all those drunk, casino owning bums die.'
The woman opposed to the caricature hasn't slept much the past few months and still is awaiting the outcome of a university investigation into the Web forum, which may lead to at least one student's expulsion from school.
'Part of me is stuck in the idea that some crazy person is out there who intends me physical harm,' she said by telephone. Requesting anonymity for personal-safety reasons, she added: 'The other part of me knows I've probably been operating in a very dangerous climate for a long time and I'm just now admitting it. I mean, there are 110 people signed up. I play these psychological games with myself every day just to get to class and walk on campus.'
Crazy, no? We get all lathered up because college football does not have a playoff system. We produce talk shows about gender equity. We want our student athletes paid, as if that will somehow right another NCAA wrong.
Yet when we come across the most serious and offensive issue on campus -- a hurtful reminder to a people of their grave mistreatment, a blatant misappropriation of their religious and spiritual practices -- we go into denial. A woman is physically threatened by a Neanderthal kid and we want to rail about the BCS again.'
Get the Story:Mike Wise: Illinois Still on the Offensive (The Washinton Post 1/27)
pwpwd NCAA Update:
Status of Indian Mascot Policy (April 28, 2006) NCAA Executive Committee Decision:
Native American Mascot Appeals Decisions (April 28, 2006) NCAA Policy on Indian Mascots:
NCAA Executive Committee Issues Guidelines for Use of Native American Mascots at Championship Events (August 5, 2005) Relevant Links:
Chief Illiniwek, University of Illinois - http://www.uiuc.edu/dialogue/index.html
Retire the Chief - http://www.retirethechief.org Related Stories:
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School says 'Chief Illiniwek' headdress was returned (1/22)
Oglala Sioux Tribe denounces 'Chief Illiniwek' (1/19)
Oglala Sioux Tribe seeks return of 'Chief' regalia (1/18)
Native students threatened over 'Chief Illiniwek' (1/17)
Editorial: Go to court to protect 'Chief Illiniwek' (11/20)
No action taken on 'Chief Illiniwek' in Illinois (11/10)
Column: It's time to get rid of 'Chief Illiniwek' (10/12)
Illinois court rejects lawsuit againt Chief Illiniwek (09/20)
University said to drop 'Chief Illiniwek' as mascot (08/31)
School files another appeal to save Chief Illiniwek (02/01)
Editorial: 'Chief Illiniwek' a sacred symbol (11/21)
NCAA allows 'Illini' but rejects 'Chief Illiniwek' (11/14)
Column: Tribes have right to oppose 'Chief Illiniwek' (09/15)
University of Illinois trustee blasts NCAA policy (08/17)
Illiniwek 'chiefs' say they are proud of tradition (04/22)
Drunk Student: Chief Illiniwek is not offensive to Natives (04/07)
Native lawyers file lawsuit against Chief Illiniwek (03/16)
Chief Illiniwek relegated to sidelines for games (3/11)
Column: Chief Illiniwek mascot inappropriate (12/02)
Opinion: Chief Illiniwek will take his last dance soon (09/15)
University board to discuss fate of Chief Illiniwek (06/17)
Anti-Chief Illiniwek activists stage sit-in at college (04/19)
Students support keeping Chief Illiniwek mascot (03/19)
School to poll students on Chief Illiniwek mascot (03/11)
Chief Illiniwek battle an especially harsh one (12/16)
Alumni support didn't drop after mascot change (2/20)
Editorial: Stop 'pussyfooting' on Chief Illiniwek (11/17)
Commentary: Don't get rid of Chief Illiniwek (11/13)
'Chief' school opens Native American House (02/07)
Ill. mascot foes awarded $5,000 (07/23)
Ex-school official faces suit in mascot case (5/29)
Students vote to retire Illiniwek (5/3)
Retain or retire, but no apology for 'Chief' (3/14)
Chief Illiniwek report released (3/13)
Editorial: Rethink mascot opposition (3/7)
Illiniwek foes win round in court (4/6)
Church gives money to Chief Illiniwek foes (2/8)
