Illinois to drop its Indian mascot : La Crosse Tribune

So closed minded.... wrote on Feb 16, 2007 10:23 PM:

" To Koddakid - How are gays and the Notre Dame mascot at all related? To Unfortunate - Respect? You think they have the utmost respect? The dances done by Native Americans have meanings above and beyond the silly dancing done by your mascot. Would you be ok with someone mocking christian masses, passing out fake eucharist to people at a basketball game? How are you completely failing to see how wrong this is? "

A sad state of affairs wrote on Feb 16, 2007 10:19 PM:

" To those stating "well I'm, Norwegian and I'm not offended by Vikings" - It's very interesting that you assume that all people will react to a situation the same way that you do, and you leave no room for difference in opinion or emotion. How closed minded. If you were upset about the name Vikings, it should be brought to attention. But to think that because you aren't offended by that, it's completely out of line for anyone else to be offended by an incorrect stereotype of their culture is ludicrous. Maybe once you listen to people's concerns regarding this issue, which would be no more difficult than a trip to your local library, you would have a little more empathy. "

I was an alumni of wrote on Feb 16, 2007 9:30 PM:

" UW LaCrosse, when it was the Indians, and marched in the Marching Chiefs alumni band. Then they had to change it, and now if you buy any alumni stuff, it is all Eagles, which doesn't apply to all alumni! Let's get rid of the statues of the Indians playing La Crosse, it could be offensive. "

To Unfortunate wrote on Feb 16, 2007 7:11 PM:

" Your friend may be knowledgible about and respectful of native american culture, but the fact is it hasn't always been that way. There's a history of misunderstanding, disrespect, and, yes, racism, involved here. Whites in 1926 were so enlightened about and respectful toward native american culture that they couldn't create a demeaning image of native american religeous symbols? Sorry, I don't buy it. "

The Irish wrote on Feb 16, 2007 7:05 PM:

" How about this at a Notre Dame sporting event. Jesus, running around, leading cheers, cavorting with the cheerleaders, brandishing a huge cross with "Go Irish" written on it. Is that offensive? As a christian, I would say it was blasphemous and that it diminishes respect for Christianity. But, then again, maybe the native americans have more respect for their religeous symbols than we do. "

Bring on the Nordic Warriors wrote on Feb 16, 2007 6:29 PM:

" I used to be upset when groups would try to take away school nicknames that were American Indian in origin because I liked the mascots. Eventually though, I decided that if these people wanted to be forgotten, then so be it. I am of Scandinavian descent and if all the Indians, Chiefs, Warriors etc. want to change their logos to a tough Nordic image then I welcome the change. "

Replacement Names wrote on Feb 16, 2007 6:10 PM:

" Yes - let's dump all the Native American and animal namesakes and mascots. How about the Washington Haliburtons? The Chicago Capones? The La Crosse Riverdrunks? The Tennessee Draftees? The Florida Felonies? Lots of new names we can make up..... "

Unfortunate.. wrote on Feb 16, 2007 5:35 PM:

" I recently graduated from U of I, and am very good friends with the man that currently portrays the Chief. The Chief is not a mascot, he is a symbol, and is portrayed with respect above and beyond anything I have seen in a similar situation. Dan (the current Chief) trained for months, and even spent time on a reservation learning the meaning behind everything he does in his role as Chief. For the NCAA to come in and call our portrayal racist and insensitive is absurd. I am glad that Dan and another person brought a lawsuit against the NCAA yesterday, and wish them luck with their pursuit. "

To: Jim wrote on Feb 16, 2007 5:02 PM:

" You're not offended by the term "padres", but what about the cheer suggesting that priests are sexual predators? If catholics weren't offended by that, I'd say they didn't have alot of respect for their religeous leaders. The drunken students dancing around in buckskin is disrespectful to native american religeous ceremonies. Are you willing to overlook that for the sake of the silly display, which will soon be replaced by another silly display? "

Whats next wrote on Feb 16, 2007 5:01 PM:

" will Notre Dame have to change their mascots not to offend the Irish, you do not hear the Irish getting upset or offended.. "

Everyone has to understand wrote on Feb 16, 2007 4:56 PM:

" This makes people feel good, and we live in a feel good society. Just let it go. Remember when UWL used to be the Indians. It went away and the Eagles look even better than the Indians ever did. Times change and MONEY TALKS. "

Lets get rid of all of them wrote on Feb 16, 2007 4:51 PM:

" If that is the will of the people then lets get rid of all the names and mascots. Guess what! we are a melting pot and past cultures are a bygone era. No one will have an identity, this is a good thing. NOT !! "

To the PETA remark.. wrote on Feb 16, 2007 4:36 PM:

" these people are protecting the interest of animals, who cannot defend themselves. Now why is that bad? Really are they hurting anyone? "

you whiteys just dont get it wrote on Feb 16, 2007 4:34 PM:

" please explain how "red skins" is a term of endurement??? again - if the people are saying it offends them then why not accept that fact and change the name? WHY???? your not native so how could you possible know what it's like for them????? "

Its about time!!!! wrote on Feb 16, 2007 4:34 PM:

" First the Tomah Indians now the Illini next the Redskins, Cheifs, Fighting Sioux then...... Good thing Santa got my list. I wrote Santa How offended I felt when the teams were using our heritage for financial gains. They take our lands and claim it as Thee Homestead Act then there useless religions were forced upon us. "

Is it possible? wrote on Feb 16, 2007 4:26 PM:

" Is it possible that we can offend someone without meaning to, just by misunderstanding them? In some cultures, it's offensive not to take your shoes off in someone's house. If I don't know that, I may leave my shoes on and offend them unintentionally. If I know it's offensive, why would I do it, other than to insult them? "

Let's be clear wrote on Feb 16, 2007 4:23 PM:

" about what the University is doing. They are continuing to use the nickname "illini". They simply will not use the native american imagery (silly students dressed in ridiculous outfits that mock native american culture). It seems to be a compromise. I would prefer to see them get rid of the nickname also, but this is a step in the right direction. "

Kodakkid wrote on Feb 16, 2007 4:19 PM:

" PC#^&$*)@^$ If the NCAA is so politically correct then why not attack Notre Dame for having a wee bit of an elf as its mascot or are gays and drunken Irishmen not suitable to be protected from the visual abuse of the Irish mascot and its suggestive imagery. I'm sure that the PC posture taken by the NCAA in this matter is far more important than getting control of all the under the table money in D-1 college sports. Must have been a slow day at the NCAA. "

Been there wrote on Feb 16, 2007 3:02 PM:

" Its not the names that are offensive but what people do with the names and the images. Degrading a race of people and their religious symbols has become such a common practice that most people don't realize that it's happening. This means that individual students get singled out because of their skin color, their heritage and their religious beliefs and they are suppose to take it all in stride. It's okay to dress up in bucksin and feathers and prance around because our team is called Redskins but we wouldn't dare do something like that if it involved the "N" word. Think about it. "

John wrote on Feb 16, 2007 2:52 PM:

" I'm of Norweigan descent - so when are the school names going to be dropped and changed like Vikings and Norsemen? I find these offensive too? Why is it that indian names are deemed offensive but names like these not? Vikings and Norsemen killed, burned, and pillaged for a living, thats ok though right? "

Solomon wrote on Feb 16, 2007 2:44 PM:

" Not too long ago, there was an article in the paper about some kids from a local high school who chanted an offensive cheer at a game against a catholic school. The cheer suggested that catholic priests were pedophiles. The catholics were appropriately offended and protested. The offending students were disciplined. The cheer was ended. Yet the "illini dance", performed by white students (often intoxicated) in nontraditional dress, continues despite similar protests by native americans. Why is it still considered appropriate to mock and demean native american religeous symbols and ceremonies? "

jim wrote on Feb 16, 2007 2:29 PM:

" as a norweigan, Catholic, American, I should be offended by all teams with the names "Vikings", "Padres", "Senators", etc...shouldn't I? "

Respectful? wrote on Feb 16, 2007 2:26 PM:

" I would imagine that native americans must have a hard time teaching their children to respect the sacred symbols of their culture when the kids can watch a basketball game and see those symbols misused and mocked. Real native americans don't wear buckskin, whoop and holler and dance around like idiots. "

bill pear wrote on Feb 16, 2007 2:24 PM:

" so if a very very few people say it is racist or steroetypical we should ignore them? america rocks. "

Respect and Honor? wrote on Feb 16, 2007 2:18 PM:

" Times change. Referring to african americans as "negroes" was once considered respectful. In World War II, it was common and acceptable to refer to the Japanese by a term that would be considered patently offensive today. Native americans are finally demanding respect and that racial slurs and insults be removed from the schools they send their kids to. Asking a school to change a logo is not asking alot. I'm glad the U of I finally grew up and did the right thing "

where to draw the line... wrote on Feb 16, 2007 1:50 PM:

" I'm just wondering when PETA is going to make teams change from animal mascots because that too will be deemed offensive. I agree with "the real world" in that these Native American names were chosen out of respect and honor, not just to tick someone off. "

Solomon wrote on Feb 16, 2007 1:21 PM:

" To understand the reasons why these nicknames are offensive, you have to look at things from a historical perspective. Not long ago, it wasn't uncommon to see a headline in the sports section: "Braves scalp Cowboys" or something similar. This perpetuated the historical stereotype of native americans as uncivilized, bloodthirsty, wild animals. While the media has stopped those headlines, the negative stereotype persists. Native american children who attend these schools are taunted with the nicknames. Is it worth it for a silly sports logo that will be forgotten in a year or so? "

who frikin cares......... wrote on Feb 16, 2007 1:18 PM:

" If the name offends people, then just change the name. Why do people get so worked up about this? If it offends Native Americans - then who are we to question that?? JUST CHANGE THE NAME. Then everyone is happy. Why would we want to keep a name that offends a particular group? WHY? I can't help but think you idiot white people enjoy offending anyone and everyone that you possibly can. Apparently it wasn't enough that the land was stolen from the NATIVES and then you have the audacity to name your sports teams things like the �red skins� and don�t try to tell me it�s a sign of respect either, your race has NEVER respected these people and you continue to offend and disrespect them every chance you get. Just do the right thing and change the names that others races find offensive. "

oh my gosh wrote on Feb 16, 2007 1:06 PM:

" liberal political correctness run amok yet again! dumb liberals and their dumb ideas "

Disgruntled wrote on Feb 16, 2007 12:59 PM:

" Some people are truly idiotic. We celebrate a group of people for what they stood for and what they still are, and it is banned because of a very, very, very select few who feel wronged. I don't understand what can be derived as negative if your race is represented by a school. A mascot is a thing of pride and power, not disgrace and shame. I am part Irish and part Norweigen. If a school named their mascot something like the "Irish Vikings" I would be very pround because it embodies my traditions. Why do some Native Americans and others feel differently? The time of fighting between whites and "Indians" ended 150 years ago, its time to let it go. "

No names wrote on Feb 16, 2007 12:31 PM:

" I guess next no schools will be able to have any kind of mascots without upsetting some groups of people. "

Question wrote on Feb 16, 2007 12:28 PM:

" I am an animal lover and am really offended by names like the bulldogs and lions and bulls. Maybe the high school and college and pro teams should change these names also? Obviously, I am not comparing a group of people to animals,my point is just that I never thought it was insulting to have a team named after you. And, although I don't want to insult people, I really don't want to insult the animals I love either. "

RE; Change the name of the state wrote on Feb 16, 2007 12:23 PM:

" While the states might have been originally Indian names, the fact is, thru common usage, the name Wisconsin now is known commonly as, "land of increasing tax's". "

This is getting out of hand wrote on Feb 16, 2007 12:07 PM:

" Honestly, why do all schools (NCAA or high school) have to change or drop their native American mascots simply because a few in that population raise a riot over it being supposedly demeaning. I hope the few that are sticking to their guns and keeping their mascots stand strong like GET, Seneca, and Black Hawk to name just a few. "

The real world wrote on Feb 16, 2007 11:57 AM:

" When these names were given to these schools, no one can dispute that it was in respect and admiration for these great and powerful members of the native American groups. It is so small minded for anyone to push the issue that it is shameful to use these great warriors as the mascots. Now remember this: in time to come, there will be government proclamations to reinstate these names out of respect for these groups. "

When is..... wrote on Feb 16, 2007 11:34 AM:

" Holmen going to drop the 'Vikings'. I can't sleep at night. I can't wait for the new Norwegian joke book either. "

U of I Alumnus wrote on Feb 16, 2007 11:21 AM:

" Maybe they better drop the state name of Illinois too. It is the French name for the Illini Algonquians that inhabited the area before it became a state. They were nearly wiped out by the Iroquois in tribal wars. The few survivors moved to Kansas in 1832, then Oklahoma in 1867. I guess the NCAA is going to make sure those proud people are completely forgotten. "

Change the name of the state wrote on Feb 16, 2007 11:08 AM:

" Time for Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, North and South Dakota and many other places to change their names. Not the schools. . . the STATES. "

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