this is the kind of stuff that drives me nuts. the NFL's redskins had a similar problem a while back.

http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/3505108

Retire the Chief (http://www.retirethechief.org/)

I'm not politically correct all the time but it makes sense... I don't see why this drives you nuts. :confused:

If it's degrading I could see a need for changing it... but a school chooses their "mascot" or Icon based on something that is proud or conveys the message of the school. It's not like any school would go out there and call themselves the "Minnesota Monkeyturd," or the New Jersey "N-word." Heck, my school had the "Trojans." And there are the Vikings, or the "Aztecs," etc... all of proud heritage. Blah... i think these people should really use their time and effort on better things like helping people in their neighborhood.

well i have never seen the chiefs "act" but when the intent is not to be racial or discrimnatory i don't know why this issue has to arise. also from the web site you linked:

The University responded by saying it will "thoroughly review the plaintiffs' suit," denied it was violating any discrimination laws or policies, and said a 1995 ruling by the U.S. Department of Education found that the chief did not violate the 1964 federal Civil Rights Act.

and as i said the redskins had a similar problem i can't remember if it was the use of the name or the guy that used to ride around on a horse. as far as to why it drives me nuts there are so many more important things IMHO to file grievances about it seems somebody always has to be filing something somewhere.

If it's degrading I could see a need for changing it... but a school chooses their "mascot" or Icon based on something that is proud or conveys the message of the school. It's not like any school would go out there and call themselves the "Minnesota Monkeyturd," or the New Jersey "N-word." Heck, my school had the "Trojans." And there are the Vikings, or the "Aztecs," etc... all of proud heritage. Blah... i think these people should really use their time and effort on better things like helping people in their neighborhood.

exactly.

It really doesn't bother me either way I understand both sides. I guess you have to be that race to fully comprehend..

Read the whole site. It also says: "This site exists to give a voice to those who believe Chief Illiniwek should be retired, to promote discussion between those who are pro- and anti-Chief, and to encourage a change in policy - to retire the Chief. We want to turn up the volume on the Chief debate. Regardless of your stand on this divisive issue, welcome . "

And the person who started that is currently a professor at the U of I.

I don't think you need to be that race to understand this issue. Like I stated before, I do not see any Vikings, Aztecs, Trojans, "Fighting" Irish, Dons, Conquistadors, Matador, Miners, etc complaining about anything. They are just a representation of the school as a symbol of strength, unity, and shows complete respect for their icons.

I find it more offensive that when you go to an Indian Reservation, and go inside their Casinos... it's huge, extravagant, yet their tribe's town is sadly worn down... alcoholism still high, kids not graduating from school... or better yet, Depressed so far that it leads them to go kill people at their school. Where the heck is all that "Native American" Casino money going to? Obviously not to the entire tribe.... And when you go inside it, they promote the Native Americans as Mascots too... I've seen actors play the same type of Icons other schools do... but in this instance, it's alright to them?

Just because the other "groups" are not complaining about anything makes this issue okay? Obviously there are some Native Americans out there that do not like how they are portrayed through Chief Illiniwek. I guess we have to respect that.

I didn't have any knowledge about this particular issue until last week. The Indian warrior (dressed in the chief's garb) is considered a respectable brave warrior who died. Why is it ok to have him doing dance routines for a school? Would the same be felt about your heritage's ancestors who fought in previous wars dressed up to do half-time shows?

About the Indian Reservation Casino issue-I have no idea where that is going. I will not make excuses about that but displace and isolate an entire race and see how that race would thrive and prosper. We had a native american friend who changed my perspective on some things. And all societies have their own issues. What happened to the Native Americans is sad really. That shooting was probably influenced by Colombine, no?

Last link back on topic: WHY SHAME THE WARRIOR,
THE AMERICAN VETERAN? (http://www.iwchildren.org/warshame.htm)

This sucks. We were debating this back when I was in UIUC 7 years ago. You realize if they drop the Chief, the school songs will have to change. :mad: :mad:

Isn't the state of Illinois named after a Native American Tribe. Same with Mississippi, Massachusettes, and a lot other states in the Union.

^ Same for the Jeep Cherokee

A number of Native American activists are "sensitive" to the appropriation of "Indian" images and names by organizations composed virtually exclusively of non-native Americans. If your people had been subject to state-sponsored genocide for several hundred years, you might understand that "sensitivity."

It is certainly true that in some cases the mascots and nicknames are probably meant to convey respect for perceived qualities of native Americans such as bravery. And for that reason, many non-native Americans can't understand the basis of the objection.

On the other hand, to name a football team "Redskins" is hardly distinguishable from calling the Washington NFL team the "Niggers" or "Sambos," names that almost everyone can understand would be offensive. Likewise, the caricature of "Chief Wahoo" to represent the Cleveland Indians is a racially offensive cartoon that is easily comparable to offensive caricatures of African Americans a hundred years ago.

The Illinois mascot may not be in the same league, so to speak, as these offensive examples, but I suspect that if I were a native American, I would feel that appropriation of my cultural symbols by an institution that arguably has little or nothing to do with it might be offensive.